# Site Profile of the

Guana Tolomato Matanzas

National Estuarine Research Reserve

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve

Environmental Education Center

505 Guana River Road Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 (904) 823

- 4500 • Fax (904) 825

- 6 829

Marineland Office

9741 Ocean Shore Blvd St. Augustine, FL 32080 (904) 461

- 4054 • Fax (904) 461

- 4056

# Site Profile of the

Guana Tolomato Matanzas

National Estuarine Research Reserve

Prepared for: The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Resea rch Reserve

Prepared by: Denis W. Frazel , Ph.D. Frazel, Inc.

233 Estrada Avenue St. Augustine, FL 32084

For more information about this report or to obtain additional copies, contact:

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserv e Environmental Education Center

505 Guana River Road Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 (904) 823

- 4500 • Fax (904) 825

- 6829

Marineland Office

9741 Ocean Shore Blvd St. Augustine, FL 32080 (904) 461

- 4054 • Fax (904) 461

- 4056

Internet: http://www.gtmnerr.org

Citation: D. Frazel. 2009 . Site Profile of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine

Research Reserve. Ponte Vedra, FL. 1 5 1 pp.

August 200 9i Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve ( GTM NERR) is a partnership between the US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

and the State of Florida

, Department of Environmental Protection.

This site profile has been developed in accordance with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regulations. It is consistent with the congressional intent of Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, and the provisions of the Florida Coastal Management Program. August

, 200 9

The views, statements, finding s
, conclusions, and recommendations expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of Florida, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or any of its sub

agencies. August , 200 9

.

August 200 9

Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082ii 

### Preface

The Guana Tolomato Matanzas Nati onal Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR)

, designated in 1999 , is one of 27 estuarine reserves in cluded within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration‟s National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). As part of the NERRS program, each reserve is required to develop a site profile, which describes the estuarine and terrestrial ecosyste ms represented within the site; outlines ongoing research and monitoring; and identifies site

- specific research needs and priorities.

This site profile includes an introduction to the Reserve; an environmental overview of the GTMNERR estuaries; a descript ion of biotic habitats; an overview of the Reserve‟s programs and partnerships; a summary of research conducted within the Reserve; and suggestions for future research and monitoring.

This document is intended to provide guidance for the future direction of the GTMNERR‟s research and monitoring programs and will be made available to all potential users, including scientists, environmental managers, local planners, elected officials, and environmental

educators.

The GTMNERR site profile was prepared by Fra zel, Inc., under Contract # 949045 from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Links to Web sites were accurate a t the time of publication

.iii 

### ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The GTMNERR site profile project was edited by Rick Gleeson

, Ph.D.

, GTMNERR Researc h

Coordinator and reviewed by Mike Shirley , Ph.D., GTMNERR Director

. Denis W . Frazel, Ph.D. (Frazel, Inc.) prepared the site profile through the collaborative efforts of the following

GTMNERR and S t. Johns River Water Management District (S JRWMD ) staff mem bers.

GTMNERR Staff

Rachel Endicott

, Biologist

Matt Love

, Biologi cal Scientist

SJRWMD Staff Paul Haydt , SJRWMD NCB Interagency Program Manager Ron Brockmeyer

, Ph.D., Environmental Scientist IV

Marvin Williams , GIS Analyst III

Jan Miller , E nvironmental Scientists III

Lori Morris , Ph.D., Environmental Scientist III

Special thanks are due to the following individuals for their individual and collective efforts:

Ed ward Phlips, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

, University of Florida

Nikki Di x, Doctoral Candidate, Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

, University of Florida Peter Sheng , Ph.D., Professor, Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering, University of

Florida Clay Montague, Ph. D., Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering Sciences

, University of Floridaiv 

### LIST OF ACRONYMS

ATV All Terrain Vehicle

BMP Best Management Practices

BMAP Basin Management Action Plan

CAMA Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas

CDMO Centralized Data Management Office

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CICEET Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology

CRCP Coral Reef Conservation Program

CZM Coastal Zone Management

CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act

DHR Division of Histor ical Resources

DNR Department of Natural Resources (now FDEP)

EEC Environmental Education Center

ERD Estuarine Reserves Division

F Fahrenheit

F.A.C. Florida Administrative Code

F.A.W. Florida Administrative Weekly

FCMP Florida Coastal Management Pro gram FDACS Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services

FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection

FDOF Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, Division of

Forestry

FIU Florida Institute of Technology

FLUCCS Flor ida Land Use Cover and Forms Classification System

FNAI Florida Natural Area Inventory

F.S. Florida Statutes

FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

FWRI Fish and Wildlife Research Institute

GPS Global Positioning System

GIS Geographic Information System

GRF Graduate Research Fellowship

GRMAP Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve

GRWMA Guana River Wildlife Management Area

GTMNERR Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve

IWRMN Integrated Water Resources Monitoring Net work

IWW Intracoastal Waterway

LAMP Lighthouse Archeological Maritime Program

NCB Northern Coastal Basin

NERR National Estuarine Research Reserve

NERRS National Estuarine Research Reserve System

NIH National Institute of Health

NMS National Marine S anctuary
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

OFW Outstanding Florida Waterv

PCAP Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

ppt Parts Per Thousand

SCS Soil Conservation Service

SJRWMD St. Johns River Water Management District

SR State Road

STO RET Storage and Retrieval Database

SWAMP Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program

SWIM Surface Water Improvement and Management Plan

SWMP System

- wide Monitoring Program

TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load

UCF University of Central Florida

UF University of Florida

UM University of Miami

UNH University of New Hampshire

U.S.C. United States Code

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

USGS United S t ates Geological Survey

WMD Water Management Districtvi 

### TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... i i

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

................................ ................................ ................................ ........ i i i

LIST OF ACRONYMS

................................ ................................ ................................ ............... i v

INTRODUCTION

................................ ................................ ................................ .......................... 1

Overview

................................ ................................ ................................ .............................. 1

Es tuarine H abitats at the R eserve

................................ ................................ ........................ 4

Historical and Cultural Resources

................................ ................................ ....................... 6

N ational Estuarine Research Reserve P rogram

................................ ................................ ... 7

Reser ve Mission and Site Descri p tion

................................ ................................ ............... 11

Ecological S ignifica nce and D esignations of the R eserve

................................ ................. 12

Major Reserve M anagement P riorities

................................ ................................ .............. 12

Reserve P rotection E fforts

................................ ................................ ................................ . 13

ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

................................ ................................ ................................ 1 4

Estuarine G eomorphology

................................ ................................ ................................ . 1 4

Climate and W eather

................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 1 6

Hydrology ( watershed and tidal conditi ons)

................................ ................................ ...... 1 7

P hysical P rocesses

................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 1 9

Land U se

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................ 22

Water U se

................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 22

Water Q uality

................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 23

Pollution I m pacts

................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 28

BIOLOGICAL SETTING

................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 35vii

Introduction

................................ ................................ ................................ ........................ 35

Biotic Habitats

................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 35

Biological Community Profiles

................................ ................................ ......................... 4 8

Plank ton

................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 48

Vegetation

................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 4 9

Invertebrates

................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 53

Fish es

................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 57

R eptil es and A mphibians

................................ ................................ ....................... 60

Birds

................................ ................................ ................................ ....................... 62

M ammals

................................ ................................ ................................ ................ 6 5

GTMNERR RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES

................................ ............. 69

Research F acilities

................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 6 9

Ancillary F acilities

................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 70

Monitoring A ctivities

................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 7 1

Graduate Research Fellowship Program

................................ ................................ ............ 77

CICEET Program

................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 82

Other R esearch A ctivities

................................ ................................ ................................ .. 84

ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH AND MONITORING NEEDS

................................ ........... 88

Research F acility N eeds

................................ ................................ ................................ ................. 88

Research G aps

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 88

Monitoring P riorities and N eeds

................................ ................................ ................................ .... 89

Research P riorities and N eeds

................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 90

REFERENCES

................................ ................................ ................................ ............................. 92viii 

### LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Total fresh ground water use, and change in water us e by County for 2000 and 2006 in million gallons per day (mgd)

................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 23

Table 2. Municipalities adjacent to the GTMNERR with MS4 NPDES permits

......................... 2 9

Table 3 . 303(d) Waterbodies Status for the Northern Coastal Basin extracted from the FDEP

Revised Draft Verified L ists of Impaired Waters for the Group 5 Basins

................................ ..... 31ix 

### LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 . Map of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine

Research Reserve

- northern component

................................ ................................ ............... 2

Figure 2 . Map of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine

Research Reserve

- s outhern component

................................ ................................ ............... 3

Figure 3. Estuarine geomorphology of the GTMNERR

................................ ............................... 14

Figure 4

. Hydrologic features of the GTMNERR

................................ ................................ ......... 18

Figure 5

. Times series for wind speed/direction and rainfall for the Pellicer Creek weather

station together with water depth and sal inity time series for Fort Matanzas, Pellicer Creek, Pine Island and San Sebastian water quality stations during Tropical Storm Frances in 2004

............. 25

Figure 6

. Trends c omparison of the Matanzas River Site (Selection A) vs. All Sites in Florida (Selection B) for Lead (PB) concentration (μg/dry g) in oyster t issue

................................ .......... 33

Figure 7

. Trends comparison of the Matanzas River Site (Selection A) vs. All Sites in Florida (Selection B) for Copper (Cu) concentration (μg/dry g) in oyster tissue

................................ ...... 34x 

### APPENDICES

Appendix A

. GTMNERR Species List

................................ ................................ ....................... 105

Appendix B

. List of Water Quality Sampling Stations

................................ ............................... 140

Appendix C . Biological and Water Quality Data for t he GTMNERR, collected b y the University

o f Florida

................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 148

Appendix D . Scientific Studies and References Rel evant to the GTM NERR

............................ 1511 

### INTRODUCTION

Overview

Florida conjures up romantic visions of warm breezes, sandy beaches and sunny skies. With more than 1,100 miles of shoreline, and 2,500 miles of navigable waters

, including lakes, bays, and estuaries, it is easy to see why Florida is considered one the Nation‟ s premier destinations

for those interested in natural outdoor activities. The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR or Reserve) in northeast Florida contains those features

that attract tourists to Florida . Most important though, are t he m any species of subtropical and temperate plants and animals that co

- inhabit the Reserve

, making it a key location to study climate change and other globa l ecological processes. The Reserve‟s relatively p ristine condition and unique climate and biodiversity are ideal for scientific research and study.

The Reserve serves as an important habitat for migrating species including calving North

A tlantic right whales and serves as a critical feeding and resting location for migrating shorebirds along the North American Atlantic flyway. Manatees, wood storks, roseate spoonbills, bald eagles and peregrine falcons find refuge in the GTMNERR.

In addition, the Reserve is located in a region with the oldest record of European occupation and has a rich assortment of cultural resources dating to the pre

- Columbian era, thereby providing a valuable resource for archeological research and interpretation.

The GTMNERR is located south of the City of Jacksonville

, in St. John s and Flagler Count ies

, on the northeast coast of Florida

. The GTM NERR is geographically divided into a northern (Figure 1) and southern component (Figure 2) , separated by the City of St. Augustine

. The

R eserve is connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Augustine Inlet and the Matanzas Inlet.

The Reserve encompasses approximately 64,487 acres of submerged lands and uplands. These

lands include salt marsh and mangrove tidal wetlands, oyster bars, estuarine lagoons, upland

habitat and offsh ore seas. The estuarine ecological system produces a rich abundance of marine life including numerous commercially and recreationally valuable species.

The Reserve also contains the

northern most extent of mangrove

habitat on the east coast of the United

States (Zomlefer et al. 2006)

.

The northern component (referred to locally as Guana) is associated wi th the

Tolomato and Guana River estuaries

. It

consists of the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve ( GRMAP ) , Guana River Wildlife Management Area (GRWMA), Stokes Landing

Con servation Area and Deep Creek

State Forest. The GRMAP extends three miles into the Atlantic Ocean, and encompasses the2

estuarine (tidal) waters of the Tolomato and Guana River s , interior impoundments, marshes,

swamp s and five artesian wells. The northern c omponent also includes the upland areas of the

former Guana River State Park

.

The southern component is associated with the Matanzas River estuary , extending from Mo ultrie

Creek to south of Pellicer Creek. The southern component of the Reserve consists o f Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve ( PCAP ) , Faver

- Dykes State Park, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Moses Creek Conservation Area,

Pellicer Creek Conservation Area, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Princess Place Preserve, The River to Sea

Preserve at Ma rineland, and other State sovereign submerged lands adjacent to

the Matanzas River within the GTMNERR boundary

.

Figure 1

. The GTM NERR is geographically divided into a

northern and southern component, separated by the City of St. Augustine

. The northern component (referred to locally as Guana) is

associated wi th the Tolomato

and Guana River estuaries

.3 Figure 2. The

GTM NERR southern

component is associated

with the Matanzas River estuary, extending from

Moultrie Creek to south

of Pellicer Creek.4

Estuarine Habitats at the R eserve The Guana Tolomato Matanzas ( GTM ) River estuarine ecosystem exhibits a wide variety of habitat types. Pinelands (30 %) are the predominant upland habitat type within the drainag e basin

, followed by shrub and brushlands (14%)

, and hardwood hammocks (10%). Barren (mostly disturbed) lands make up only 10% of the watershed. Coastal salt marsh and open water habitat comprise nearly 15% of the watershed

.

Salt marsh is the major estuar ine habitat in the GTMNERR , and occurs along the boundaries of

the estuaries throughout the Reserve

. This habita t type occupies more than 20 % of the total land

cover of the R eserve. Dominant plants include Glasswort ( Salicornia spp.), saltwort ( Batis

marit ima ), saltmarsh cordgrass ( Spartina alterniflora ), and black needlerush ( Juncus

roemerianus ).

Tidal flats found in this estuary are typically intertidal

sand and mud flats flanking river mouths, creeks,

sounds and

channels. These flats

lie between the

e xtreme spring high

and low tide lines. While the areas may appear relatively barren, this habitat supports a large population of infaunal organisms as well as a variety

of transient fish and

wildlife.

Oyster reef

s are found in the intertidal portions of t he Reserve estuarine system. They serve to locally decrease turbidity by trapping sediment and stabilizing erosion. Oyster s provide hard substrate and habitat for many other species including, mud crabs ( Rhithropanopeus harrisii ), blue crabs ( Callinectes s apidus ), and amphipods. More detailed descriptions of the estuarine and

other habitats in the GTMNERR are discussed in the Section on Biotic Habitats and Community

Structure

.

The diversity of communities present in the GTMNERR provides habitat for a wide variety of

fish and wildlife. A species list recently compiled for the GRMAP indicates the presence of at least 44 mammal, 358 bird, 41 reptile, 21 amphibian, 303 fish, and 580 plant species. A partial

list of estuarine and marine fish and invertebrates co mpiled for the general area by the Whitney5

Laboratory records 270 species. The most current comprehensive species list for the GTMNERR

is found in Appendix A

.

The variety of habitats within the GTMNERR are essential to many protected species (eight plants and forty

- eight animals) including the Anastasia Island beach mouse ( Peromyscus polionotus phasma ), gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ), least tern ( Sterna antillarum ), marine turtles: loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ), leatherback ( Dermochelys coriac ie a ) an d green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ), and North Atlantic r ight w hale ( Eubalaena glacialis ). In addition, the striped newt ( Notopthalmus perstriatus ), one of Florida‟s rarest vertebrate species, occurs within the GTMNERR. Some of the many rare listed birds of th e GTMNERR include: great egret ( Ardea alba ), white ibis ( Eudocimus albus ), black

- crowned night heron ( Nycticorax nyticorax ), least tern ( Sterna antillarum ), bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ), tricolored heron ( Egretta

tricolor ), wood stork ( Mycteria am ericana ) and roseate spoonbill ( Ajaia ajaja ).

Commercially valuable s pecies of organisms that occur in the GTMNERR for all or part of their life cycle include oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ), quahog clams ( Mercenaria spp .), blue crabs

( Callinectes sapid us ), stone crabs ( Menippe mercenaria ), white shrimp ( Penaeus setiferus ), brown shrimp ( Penaeus aztecus ), striped and white mullet ( Mugil cephalus and M. curema ), gag grouper ( Myctoperca microlepis ), black seabass ( Centropristis striata ), gray snapper ( Lutj anus griseus ), lane snapper ( L. synagris ), flounder ( Paralichthys lethostigma and P. dentatus ), bluefish ( Pomatomus saltatrix ), menhaden ( Brevoortia tyrannus ) and thread herring ( Opisthonema oglinum ).6

Recreationally valuable sport fishing species present include tarpon ( Tarpon atlanticus ), spotted sea trout ( Cynoscion nebulosus ), weakfish ( C. regalis ), snook ( Centropomus undecimalis ), red drum ( Sciaenops ocellata ), black drum ( Pogonias cromis) , spot ( Leiostomous xanthurus ), croaker ( Micropogon undulatus ), sheepshead ( Archosargus probatocephalus ), crevalle jack ( Carynx hippos ), gag grouper ( Myctoperca microlepis ), black seabass ( Centropristis striata ), gray snapper ( Lutjanus griseus ), lane snapper ( L. synagris ), pinfish ( Lagodon rhomboides ), whiting ( Mentici rrus americanus ), Florida pompano ( Trachinotus carolinus ), flounder ( Paralichthys spp.), striped mullet ( Mugil cephalus ), and sailor‟s choice ( Haemulon parri ).

The State of Florida has five surface water classifications (62

- 302.400 Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) ), with specific criteria applicable to each class of water. In addition selected

waters may be designated as an Outstanding Florida Water ( OFW; 62

- 302.700 F.A.C.) worthy of special protection because of its natural attributes. This special de signation is applied to certain waters, and is intended to protect existing good water quali ty. In the northern section of the
GTMNERR, s urface waters within the GRMAP are designated as an OFW, while in the southern portion, Pellicer Creek has OFW status. National, state and county conservation areas surround Pellicer Creek making it one of the last undisturbed tidal marsh creek systems along the east

coast of Florida.

Hi storical and Cultural Resources The first inhabitants of northeast Florida adapted to Late Glacial conditions with a technology and settlement pattern suited to the hunting of scarce and large animals in a dry climate. Even at quite low population densities the environmental influences of these Paleo Native Americans may have included hunti ng to extinction a number of large vertebrate species ( Miller 1991 ). Between 10,000 and 5,000 years ago, the most fundamental changes to the environment were natural in origin. As sea level rise slowed to its pre

- industrial rate, water resources, small ga me, and plant resources became more accessible. This condition enhanced settlement in coastal locations. By about 5,000 years ago the coastal environment of Florida had become similar to the present day situation. Native Americans living on the coast took advantage of the relatively stable and abundant seafood, an important source of protein. As human populations became more sedentary in response to stable conditions, opportunities for specialized collection and domestication of plants increased along with the duration of settlements.

The GTMNERR r egion is of special sociological and archeological interest because of the comprehensive documentary record of human settlement and landscape modifications. The re are detailed records commencing in the mid

- sixteen th century of Native American, Spanish, French,

British and American inhabitants and their cultures.

A total of 22 recorded archaeological sites occur within the boundaries of the area directly managed by the Reserve. Known sites include a burial mound, n umerous shell middens, a Spanish mission (probably La Natividad de Nuestra Senora de Tolomato), and homestead sites from the British, Second Spanish and Territorial Periods ( Newman 1995 ).

Other areas of exceptional hist o r i cal signif ic ance within the GTMNE RR include:7

Faver

- Dykes State Park has five identified sites with artifacts from the full range of cultural periods: Orange, St. Johns, Saint Augustine and Second Spanish from the Hepworth Carter

Plantation site. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park has seve ral nineteenth and early twentieth century sites associated with the Bella Vista Plantation, as well as sites associated with the ornamental gardens dating from the late 1930s

-- 1950s. In addition the area has several middens in fair to good condition.

Prin cess Place Preserve has Florida‟s oldest commercial orange groves planted in the early 1800‟s. The land is part of the original land grant from the Spanish Government in the late 1700‟s; it may be the only contiguous land grant remaining from that time per iod. The site

contains one of Florida‟s first in

- ground swimming pools.
Matanzas Inlet, at Fort Matanzas National Monument, was the scene of crucial events in Spanish colonial history. The defeat of French soldiers here in 1565 initiated Spain‟s

establishm ent of its first permanent colony in Florida. The construction of Fort Matanzas in

1740

- 42 was Spain‟s attempt to stop British encroachments on St. Augustine ( Smith 2006 ).

Underwater archeological resources in the GTMNERR are lesser known. A systematic ma ritime archaeological survey in St. Augustine waters was conducted by Southern Oceans Archaeological Research, Inc between 1994 and 1997, and focused on locating offshore shipwrecks surrounding St. Augustine's inlet (Franklin and Morris 1996 ). The most sig nificant discovery of this survey was the shipwreck Industry, a British supply ship lost May 6, 1764. This wreck remains the oldest yet located in St. Augustine's waters ( Morris et al. 1998 ). The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum began funding maritime a rchaeology in St. Johns County, in

1997 , and i n 1999, established the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program, or LAMP. In

both 2007 and 200 9 t he GTMNERR co

- sponsored, along with LAMP, the Annual Northeast Florida Symposium on Underwater Maritime Archa eology

, a symposium on underwater archaeology to bring together experts in this field and to promote collaboration on future

research and educational in itiatives within the Reserve.

N ational E stuarine R ese ar c h Reserve P rogram The National Estuarine Resear ch Reserve (NERR) System was created by the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) of 1972, as amended, 16 U.S.C. Section 1461, to augment the Federal Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program. The CZM Program is dedicated to comprehensive, sustainable management of the N ation‟s coasts.

The Reserve system is a network of protected areas established to promote informed management of the Nation‟s estuaries and coastal habitats. The Reserve system currently consists of 27 reserves in 22 states and territories, protec ting over one million acres of estuarine

lands and waters.

The Reserves serve as living laboratories for agency staff, visiting scientists and students. They serve as platforms for long

- term research and monitoring as well as reference sites for comparati ve studies. The integration of research and monitoring provides a scientific basis to improve the understanding of coastal systems.8

As stated in the NERR regulations, 15 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 921.1(a), the NERR System mission is:

“the es tablishment and management, through Federal

- state cooperation, of a national system of

Estuarine Research Reserves representative of the various regions and estuarine types in the United States. Estuarine Research Reserves are established to provide opport unities for long

term research, education, and interpretation.” Federal regulations, 15 CFR Part 921.1(b), provide five specific goals for the NERR System:

1. Ensure a stable environment for research through long

- term protection of NERR

resources; 2. Address co astal management issues identified as significant through coordinated estuarine research within the System;

3. Enhance public awareness and understanding of estuarine areas and provide suitable opportunities for public education and interpretation;

4. Promote f

e deral, state, public and private use of one or more Reserves within the System when such entities conduct estuarine research; and

5. Conduct and coordinate estuarine research within the System, gathering and making available information necessary for improved understanding and management of

estuarine areas.

There are three major elements of the Reserve System : 1. Research on estuarine habitats and processes,

2. Education and interpretation of estuarine processes and

3. Resource stewardship.

These elements are impleme nted through a variety of national programs su m marized below:

NERR System Research and Monitoring Program The Reserve System provides a mechanism for addressing scientific and technical aspects of coastal management problems through a comprehensive, inter disciplinary, and coordinated approach. Research and monitoring programs, including the development of baseline information, form the basis of this approach. Reserve research and monitoring activities are guided by national plans that identify goals, prior ities, and implementation strategies for these programs. This approach, when used in combination with the education and outreach programs, will help ensure the availability of scientific information that has long

- term, system

- wide, consistency and utility for managers and members of the public to use in protecting or improving natural processes in their estuaries.

NERR System

- Wide Monitoring Program (SWMP)

The System

- wide Monitoring Program provides standardized data on national estuarine

environmental tr ends while allowing the flexibility to assess coastal management issues of regional or local concern. The principal mission of the monitoring program is to develop quantitative measurements of short

- term variability and long

- term changes in the integrity a nd biodiversity of representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds for the purposes of9

contributing to effective coastal zone management. The program is designed to enhance the value and vision of the reserves as a system of national reference s ites.

NERR System Education Program The Reserve System provides a vehicle to increase understanding and awareness of estuarine systems and improve decision

- making among key audiences to promote stewardship of the

nation‟s coastal resources. Education and interpretation in the reserves incorporate a range of programs and methodologies that are systematically tailored to key audiences around priority coastal resource issues and incorporates science

- based content. Reserve staff members work with

local communi ties and regional groups to address coastal resource management issues, such as

non

- point source pollution, habitat restoration and invasive species. Through integrated research and education programs, the reserves help communities develop strategies to de al successfully

with these coastal resource issues.

Formal and non

- formal education and training programs in the NERRS target K

- 12 students, teachers, university and college students and faculty, as well as coastal decision

- maker audiences

such as enviro nmental groups, professionals involved in coastal resource management, municipal and county zoning boards, planners, elected officials, landscapers, eco

- tour operators and professional associations.

K

- 12 and professional development programs for teachers include the use of established coastal and estuarine science curricula aligned with state and national science education standards and frequently involve both on

- site and in

- school follow

- up activity. Reserve education activities are guided by national pl ans that identify goals, priorities, and implementation strategies for these programs. Education and training programs, interpretive exhibits and community outreach programs integrate elements of NERRS science, research and monitoring activities and ensure a systematic, multi

- faceted, and locally focused approach to fostering stewardship.

NERR System Coastal Training Program The Coastal Training Program (CTP) provides up

- to

- date scientific information and skill

building opportunities to coastal decision

- ma kers who are responsible for making decisions that affect coastal resources. Through this program, National Estuarine Research Reserves can ensure

that coastal decision

- makers have the knowledge and tools they need to address critical resource management i ssues of concern to local communities.

Coastal training programs offered by reserves relate to coastal habitat conservation and restoration, biodiversity, water quality and sustainable resource management and integrate

reserve

- based research, monitoring a nd stewardship activities. Programs target a range of audiences, such as land

- use planners, elected officials, regulators, land developers, community groups, environmental non

- profits, business and applied scientific groups. These training programs provide opportunities for professionals to network across disciplines and develop new collaborative relationships to solve complex environmental problems.

Additionally, the CTP provides a critical feedback loop to ensure that professional audiences

inform local and regional science and research agendas. Programs are developed in a variety of formats ranging from seminars, hands

- on skill training, participatory workshops, lectures and10

technology demonstrations. Participants benefit from opportunities to share exp eriences and network in a multidisciplinary setting, often with a reserve

- based field activity.

Partnerships are important to the success of the Program. Reserves work closely with state coastal programs, Sea Grant College extension and education staff, a nd a host of local partners in determining key coastal resource issues to address, as well as the identification of target audiences. Partnerships with local agencies and organizations are critical in the exchange and sharing of expertise and resources to deliver relevant and accessible training programs that meet the needs of specific groups.

The Coastal Training Program requires a systematic program development process, involving periodic review of the reserve niche in the training provider market, audie nce assessments, and development of a three to five year program strategy, a marketing plan and the establishment of an advisory group for guidance, program review and perspective in program development. The CTP implements a performance monitoring system, wherein staff report data in operations progress reports according to a suite of performance indicators related to increases in participant understanding, applications of learning and enhanced networking with peers and experts to inform programs.

Designat ed in 1999, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) is one of three NERR s in Florida . It is a part of this system because of its outstanding representation of the east Florida sub

- region of the Carolinian bioregion and its unique combination of natural and cultural resources. The GTMNERR is a federal/state partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as the state program administrator.

The GTM Research Reserve is managed compatibly with the N ERR‟s Program vision and 2005

- 2010 Strategic Goals. The issue topic areas of the GTM Research Reserve‟s management plan (Watershed Landuse, Cultural Resource Preservation and Interpretation, Public Use, Habitat and Species Management and Global Processes) have a direct linkage with the National Program‟s priority management issues of land use and population growth, habitat loss and alteration, water quality degradation and changes in biological communities.

The GTM Research Reserve and other Reserves share the National Program‟s 2005

- 2010 Strategic Plan

- guiding Principles ( http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/Background_StrategicPlan.html ) including : Strong partnerships between NOAA, state agencies and universitie s, and other local partners

are critical to the success of the reserve system. The reserve system integrates science, education and stewardship on relevant topics to

maximize the benefits to coastal management. Reserves serve as a catalyst and a focal point for demonstrating and facilitating objective problem solving and best management practices. Reserves engage local communities and citizens to improve stewardship of coastal areas. Reserves implement an ecosystem

- based management approach.

The Florida NERRs are administered on behalf of the State by the FDEP Office of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas (CAMA) as part of a network that includes forty

- one Aquatic Preserves,11

three NERRs, a National Marine Sanctuary (NMS), the Coral Reef Conser vation Program (CRCP), and the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council. This provides for a system of significant protections to ensure that our most popular and ecologically important underwater ecosystems are cared for in perpetuity. Each of these s pecial places is managed with strategies based on local resources, issues, and conditions.

Reserve M ission and S ite D escription The primary role of the GTMNERR is to serve as a platform for research and education and as a clearinghouse for science based i nformation to guide the conservation of natural and cultural resources within the region. This is accomplished by conducting and facilitating scientific studies and symposia which in turn are used to guide the Reserve‟s environmental education and

stewards hip programs. This process ensures that the best available information is provided to citizens, coastal managers , scientists and elected officials making decisions affecting coastal habitats. These activities also provide a mechanism for coordinated ecosys tem management of lands within the GTMNERR boundary and its watershed.

The Reserve‟s primary mission is to achieve the conservation of natural biodiversity and cultural resources by using the results of research and monitoring to guide science

- based stewa rdship and

education.

The main facility of the GTMNERR is t he Environmental Education Center (EEC) loc ated in the northern component of the Reserve ten miles north of St. Augustine

, on State Road A1A

, in

Ponte Vedra Beach . The EEC serves as the administr ative, education, research, and stewardship

facili ty for the northern component

. The Reserve also

maintains an office on State Road A1A in

Marineland

. This

office houses the

research , education,

and outreach facili ties

for the southern component of the

Res erve.

Community leaders along with state,

federal and local governments have preserved extensive

areas within the

watershed of the

Reserve. These preserved areas provide a unique setting for ecosystem level scientific research and monitoring which contrib ute the information needed for restoring and conserving the natural biodiversity in the region.12

Compatible consumptive and nonconsumptive use s of the Reserve‟s natural resources provide

valuable assets for the local community. Ecotourism and recreational uses within and adjacent to the Reserve including boating, picnicking, swimming, sport fishing, cast netting, hunting, camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and nature study are outstanding. Wildlife viewing, especially birds, is ex cellent. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park has an extensive plant garden for viewing along the Matanzas River and a unique coquina rock outcrop, the Anastasia Formation. Fort Matanzas National Monument provides exhibits and tours of historical significanc e. Faver

- Dykes State Park provides for nature study, camping, picnicking and canoeing. Princess Place Preserve has many unique cultural features and is managed by Flagler County for its historical preservation and recreational value. The GRWMA provides

out standing resources for hunters and nature enthusiasts.

Ecological Significance and Designations of the R eserve NOAA has identified eleven distinct biogeographic regions and 29 subregions in the U.S., each of which contains several types of estuarine ecos ystems (15 CFR Part 921, for NERR typology system).

The GTMNERR is within the Carolinian biogeographic region within the east Florida subregion. The location‟s relatively pristine condition and unique climate and biodiversity are well suited to being desi gnated as a Research Reserve. Community leaders along with state, federal and local governments have preserved extensive areas in the watershed of the GTM Research Reserve resulting in some of the country‟s most pristine freshwater, tidal creek and estuari ne habitats. Consequently, the GTM Research Reserve provides a unique setting to conduct research and monitoring and to set goals for protecting and restoring other estuaries in the region.

Major Reserve M anagement P riorities St. Johns County is one of t he most rapidly growing c ounties in Florida . As the population

increases as much as 2 0% by 2015 ( Economic and Demographic Research 2009), the demand for new and expanded water dependent use facilities such as marinas and boat ramps will rise as

well and is a major issue for the GTMNERR

. This potentially massive urban growth will likely impact both the water quality and water resources within the Reserve.

A Water Dependent Uses and Marine Study by St. Johns County (2002) reported the following:

In 2000/200 1, there were a total of 10,073 registered vessels in St. Johns County. That number is predicted to increase to 15,564 vessels by 2015, an increase of nearly 65%. There are currently 1,054 wet slips at marinas located within St. Johns County. Based on

curr ent boat registration and population trends, an increase of 575 slips will be needed to keep up with the existing level of availability by 2015. Based on current permitting trends, it is estimated that an additional 375 private residential

docks will be co nstructed by 2015, bringing the total from approximately 1200 in 2000 to 1575 in the year 2015.

Dock construction , increased boating traffic associated with increases in population, and poor boating practices are impacting benthic resources and shoreline habitat within the Reserve.13

Effective mitigation of these issues is necessary to maintain the status quo of natural conditions

within the Reserve.

Perhaps the most important all

- encompassing management priority is to foster ecosystem

- based

conservation an d restoration of the natural habitats supporting s ustainable populations of the diverse array of organisms within the Reserve.

Reserve P rotection E fforts

The Reserve encompasses a variety of different local, regional and state regulatory jurisdictional

la nds, each governed by specific protective rules and regulations

. The Reserve has direct jurisdiction over the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve ( GRMAP ) , the upland areas of the former Guana River State Park, and the Pellicer Cre ek Aquatic Preserve (PCAP). Pellicer Creek itself is designated as a State Canoe Trail, promoting a passive, low

- impact form of recreation

within the P reserve.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

, manages the Guana River

Wi ldlife Management Area (GRWMA)

.

De ep Creek State Forest and Matanzas State Forest are managed by the Florida Division of Forestry ( F DOF) in cooperation with the FWC and St. Johns River Water Management District.

Both Faver

- Dykes State Park and Washington Oaks Gardens State Park are manage d through

F DEP‟s Division of Recreation and Parks

. The mission of the park service is to provide resource

based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources.

Fort Matanzas National Monument is managed and protecte d by the US National Park Service

. The original national monument site consisted of only the fort on Rattlesnake Island

, northwest

of the Matanzas Inlet . Through the years, however, the National Park Service has been able to acquire additional land both on Rattlesnake and Anastasia Island and begin to set aside a slice of

an i ntact barrier island ecosystem.

Princess Place Preserve and the River to Sea Preserve at Marineland fall under the jurisdiction of Flagler County. Princess Place Preserve is an import ant and critical ecological asset protecting saltwater marshes, Pellicer Creek and the Matanzas estuary. The River to Sea Preserve is owned jointly by Flagler County and the Town of Marineland. Beginning at the beach of the Atlantic Ocean and reaching west to the Matanzas River ; the River to Sea Preserve protects a rapidly disappearing maritime scrub environment.

The St. Johns River Water Management District has jurisdiction over the Stokes Landing

Conservation Area

, Moses Creek Conservation Area, and Pell icer Creek Conservation Area . The District management goals for these areas are generally to:

1. Improve water quality, maintain natural hydrological regime, and increase flood protection by preserving important floodplain areas.

2. Restore, maintain, and prote ct native natural communities and diversity

. 3. Provide opportunities for recreation where compatible with the above listed goals.14 

### ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING

Estuarine G eomorphology The GTMNERR‟s coastal estuaries are bounded to the west by the Pamlico Terrace (Figure 3)

, which has an elevation of 1.5 to 7.5 meters above sea level. The topography present today was formed over the last 10,000 years and is composed of remnant beach and dune ridges, swamps, marshes, tidal flats, creeks, rivers, and estuarine lagoo n bottoms. The elevation within the GTMNERR ranges

from sea level to 12 meters on the dunes at the north end

of the Reserve and in the central regions of the Pellicer

Creek Conservation Area.

The GT MNERR is located in the lower part of the

Atlantic Coast al Plain. The coastal region occupies a physiographic division known as the Coastal Lowlands. This region of the Florida Plateau is described by Cooke (1945 ) as a belt of land along the coast, extending 48 to
96 kilometers inland, that is flat, poorly drai ned, and characterized by ancient marine terraces and dune ridges.

In St. Johns and Flagler counties, thick limestone beds of the Eocene age underl y the area at depths ranging

from sea level to more than 90 meters below sea level. Miocene or Pliocene depo sits directly overlie the

Eocene limestone formations. The surface area is blanketed by Pleistocene and Recent deposits in varying depths.

There are seven or possibly eight marine terraces, each formed at different sea levels during the Pleistocene epoch ( White 1970 ). These terraces were formed prehistorically by waves, currents, and the rise and fall of sea levels. When the sea level remained stationary for long periods, the waves and currents would erode the sea floor to form a fairly level surface. Each time the sea level dropped, a part of the sea floor was exposed as a level plain or terrace. The terraces tend to be parallel to the present Atlantic shoreline and become progressively higher from east to west ( Kojima andHunt

1980 ). Over time the level pl ains of the terraces were modified or destroyed by stream erosion.

Figure 3. Estuarine geomorphology of

the GTMNERR.15

The GTMNERR overlies typical Floridian coastal geologic strata. The ground is covered with Holocene epoch sedimen ts (< 10,000 years old) including sand, clay and shell fragments. Older limestone from the Anastasia formation is exposed on the southern beach in the GRMAP (east of Sombrero Creek). These rocks date from the Pleistocene epoch, which occurred from 1.8 mill ion years ago (MYA) to 10,000 years ago ( Florida Geological Survey [FGS] Lithologic Database ).

Beneath these surface sediments lies the Hawthorn group (Miocene epoch, 24

- 5.3 MYA). The Hawthorn group is made up of clays and dolomite, and acts as a semi

- co nfining layer atop the

Floridan A quifer . The Hawthorn group is thickest under the GRMAP ranging in depth from 39 to
90 meters . It is thinner to the south, where it ranges in depth from 33 to 41 meters under the southern portion of the Reserve ( FGS Litholog ic Database ).

There are a total of 42 soil types occurring with in th e boundaries of the GTMNERR. The varying depth of the water table within the soils at the GTMNERR limits the land use abilities. While the region is relatively flat, the soils types are i nfluenced by surface water flow, waves, currents and tidal forces. Relief is not pronounced, yet a few feet can mean the difference between dry, habitable, cultivable land and freshwater swamp or coastal marsh.

The soils of the uplands within the GTMNERR are primarily derived from sandy marine sediments. There are five general soil map units outlined by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS). The sand ridges, coastal dunes and flatwoods areas of the Guana peninsula consist of the

Astatula

- Tavares soils. These soils are nearly level to sloping, excessively drained and moderately well

- drained soils that are sandy throughout. They are located throughout the

hammock

- sand ridge and flatwoods areas west of Guana Lake and extend to the estuarine

marshes.

The Holopaw

- Riviera

- Pompano soils are represented i n a small area along the north GRWMA boundary west of Guana Lake . They are nearly level and poorly drained; some types are sandy to a depth of 20 to 40 inches or more and loamy below, while others are sandy throughou t. They provide fair conditions for growth of grasses, legumes, herbaceous plants, hardwoods and pines.

The coastal dunes along State Road A1A are made up of the Fripp

- Satellite

- Paola map unit. This unit consists of soils on narrow, rolling sandy ridges i nterspersed with narrow swales. These soils are excessively drained sandy soils in the primary and secondary dunes and somewhat poorly

drained in the swales.

The Riviera

- Holopaw

- Winder association is found on a small portion of the GRWMA area in the

north west section of the property . These soils are nearly level and poorly drained; some are sandy to a depth of 20 to 40 inches or more and loamy below, while others are sandy to a depth of fewer than 20 inches and loamy below. They are considered "fair" produ cers of open land,

woodland and wetland wildlife habitat

, and migratory bird species utilize these areas extensively.

The Pellicer

- Tisonia soils are derived from the deposition of estuarine clay sediment and organic detritus, and are found along the bound ary of the Tolomato River , the I ntracoastal Waterway (IWW ) (estuarine tidal marshes) , and within the area of the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve

. They are nearly level, very poorly drained soils subject to frequent tidal flooding; some are16

loamy, while oth ers are organic, underlain by clays. These soils are rated as fair producers of wetland wildlife habitat. Resident and migratory bird species utilize these wetlands extensively

.

The Reserve‟s beaches consist of quartz sand, shells, shell fragments, and pe bbles derived from exposures of the Anastasia Formation ( Tanner 1960 ). This formation consists of a sandy coquina held together by calcareous cement, and obtained its name from Anastasia Island opposite St. Augustine ( Cooke 1945 ). In the area of the Matanz as Inlet beaches, samples also yielded quartz

sand and shell. Offshore samples yielded f ine grained sediments (0.055

– 0.516 mm mean diameter), with f

ine to very coarse sediments on the barrier island, and c lay and silt in the lagoon

areas (Burnson 1972).

In the upland areas surrounding the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve, sandy soil types are represented in the sand ridge, coastal dune and flatwoods communities . More information on soil types in the Reserve can be found on the USDA Web site at http://webs oilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/.

Climate and W eather The climate of the northeast Florida coastal region is under a pronounced maritime influence ( NOAA 1982 ). The heat of summer and cold of winter are moderated by the close proximity of the

Gulf Stream. As a result, this area experiences a humid, subtropical marine climate characterized by long, warm, humid summers with heavy rainfall and mild, dry winters.

Specifically, the annual average minimum and maximum temperatures range from 58 to 81 o
Fahrenheit (F), respectively. The mean annual temperature is about 70 o F near the coast and about

72 o F inland. Temperatures are moderated by close proximity to the ocean. Summer afternoon temperatures regularly reach 90°F or higher and nighttime temperatures drop to the low 70s. Average winter temperatures range from morning lows in the 30s to afternoon highs in the 70s. Relative humidity ranges from 40 to 50 % in the afternoon to 90 or 95 % in the early morning.

The ave rage annual rainfall is about 55 inches, of which 50

- 60 % occurs from June through mid

October as afternoon and evening thundershowers

. Ocean breezes tend to retard the movement of rainstorms moving west to east, so the amount of rain falling directly on the coast is less than in the interior regions ( Jones a nd Mehta 1978 ).

Prevailing winds are easterly, but northwest or southwest winds are common. Summer westerly winds can last for several days, particularly during the early morning hours. Storm events at

GTMNERR includ e thunderstorms

, northeasters , tropical storms, and hurricanes. Information collected by Taylor Engineering (2008) showed that on average, n ortheasters affect the area about five times per year, and tropical storms/hurricanes pass the area about once every three

years. With the exception of the September 9, 1964 landfall of category 2 H urricane Dora in St. Augustine, the areas now comprising the GTMNERR have not experienced a hurricane‟s eye wall landfall (Winsberg 2003).

During Hurricane Dora surge elevations approached 12 ft. above mean sea level and wave heights reached 20

- 30 ft along Anastasia Island. In 2001, Tropical Storm Gabrielle moved east across the Florida peninsula exiting just to the south of the Reserve. While maximum winds of17

only 59 mph were recorded, nearly 12 inches of rain ca used localized flooding and a short

- term
decrease in salinity throughout the Rese rv e estuaries.

I n 2004, St. Johns County experienced three tropical storms (Charley, Frances and Jeanne), all of which were hurricanes but that had slowed to tropical storms by the time they hit the county. The

result was extensive shoreline erosion on the coast that essentially eliminat ed the sand that had previously been deposited as part of a beach renourishment project in the St. Augustine Beach

area.

Hydrology

The GTMNER R is located in the Upper East Coast Drainage Basin (part of the Florida East Coast Basin) which covers 467,196 acres. The basin has been further divided into four “planning units”, which can be an individual, usually large tributary basin, or a group of s mall adjacent primary tributary basins with similar characteristics. The Reserve covers three of these planning

units , from north to south : Tolomato River, Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek. The fourth planning unit, the Halifax River is south of the GTMNE RR boundary

.

The natural hydrodynamics of this system ha ve been altered by various water control structures, including dikes, inland wells, drainage ditches and a dam placed across the headwaters of the Guana River Estuary (Figrue 4)

. The Guana Dam was bu ilt in 1957, along with other smaller dams and canals in an attempt to improve hunting and fishing. The system has been further altered by the IWW which bisects the estuary.

The Tolomato, Guana and Matanzas River estuaries form a system of "bar

- bounded" e stuaries

that extend from northern St. Johns County to below Marineland in Flagler County

, behind the barrier island system. The Guana River estuary runs parallel to that of the Tolomato River estuary on the seaward side, with the two lagoons joining toget her six miles north of the St. Augustine Inlet. Oceanic exchange occurs through the St. Augustine Inlet.

The Matanzas River estuary stretches approximately 21 miles southward from the St. Augustine Inlet, with its southernmost section located about seven miles south of the Matanzas Inlet. Moses Creek and Pellicer Creek are the major contributors of freshwater drainage to the Matanzas River in the southern component of the Reserve.

Northern Components

The Tolomato River basin has a drainage area encompassi ng 84 square miles. The River is a component of the IWW and hence maintained, in part, as a public navigation channel. Dredging has straightened the course of the river at some points and established spoil islands which are now partially or entirely vegeta ted. Smith Creek, Deep Creek, Sweetwater Creek, Marshall Creek, Stokes Creek, and Casa Cola Creek all drain in to the Tolomato River from the west.

These s ix creeks are included in the R eserve boundaries upstream to the extent of tidal influence. Capo Creek , Jones Creek, and Sombrero Creek flow west into the Tolomato River and are entirely within the R eserve boundaries. Smith, Deep, and Sweetwater Creeks drain a large

we tland area to the west of the R eserve known as Cabbage Swamp

.18

Figure 4. Hydrologic fe atures of the northern and southern components of the GTMNERR.

The headwaters of the Guana River originate in the Diego Plains drainage basin north of the

R eserve in the city of Ponte Vedra Beach. The Diego Plains drainage basin encompasses approximately 7 ,800 acres extending from the Lake Ponte Vedra (Guana Lake) dam 17 miles north19

into Jacksonville Beach. The natural hydrology of the Guana River was significantly altered by the

construction of the dam in 1957 . I nland wells, water control structures, dikes , and drainage ditches

have also altered the natural hydrology of the system. From the dam the river flows south to join the

Tolomato River.

Southern Component s Moses Creek and the Matanzas River support extensive undisturbed areas of tidal marsh. Moses Creek drains a large area of wet flatwoods and swamps in western St. Johns County. As the creek forms, it flows east and enters the Moses Creek Conservation Area in the northwestern portion of the property. The creek continues southwest, eventually emptyin g into the Matanzas

River. Moses Creek lies within the Matanzas R iver Basin, a sub

- basin of the Northern Coastal

Basin (NCB).

The majority of the watershed in the Pellicer Creek basin is drained by relatively small creeks or branches. The Hulett Branch, P ringle Branch, Stevens Branch, Dave Branch, and Schoolhouse

Branch all drain into the PCAP from the west. Styles Creek flows from the south into Pellicer Creek, near the Matanzas River. To the north, Rootan Branch flows southward through Faver

Dykes State Park and drains into Pellicer Creek (DNR 1991) . The SJRWMD is responsible for surface and groundwater resources in the watershed of this aquatic preserve as well as adjacent drainage basins.

Pellicer Creek is the only natural drainage feature in the gener al area that cuts through the marine terraces and ridges to flow east into the Matanzas River. From the Matanzas River lagoonal area the flow of water eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean by way of the Matanzas Inlet

.

Surface wat e r hydrology in this area is influenced by the interaction o f the brackish water of the Matanzas River with the freshwater inputs from both tidal branches, and overland flow (DNR 1991)

Physical Processes

St. Augustine Inlet

The shallow estuaries of the Reserve are connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the St. Augustine

and Matanzas Inlets that collectively form a barrier island estuarine system

. Both inlets are the focal points for oceanic exchange with the estuarine ecosystem. St. August ine Inlet is an improved tidal inlet con necting the Tolomato and Matanzas Rivers to the Atlantic Ocean. Originally a natural inlet located approximately 120 meters south of its current location; the inlet channel was relocated in 1940 as part of the federal St. Augustine Harbor Navigation Projec t in response to public interests. Efforts to stabilize the inlet and improve navigation, between 1941 and 1957, resulted in the construction of a north jetty structure approximately 1,880 feet (573 meters) in length and a 3,695 foot (1126 meter) southern s tructure. The inlet channel and associated structures are maintained by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) , as well as

the authorized 16 foot (4.8 meter) entrance channel which is maintaine d at the best natural alignment requiring infrequent dredgin g. USACE and others have prepared numerous surveys, reports and documents related to the inlet area, including USACE (1965, 1975, 1976, 1998, and 2004a) , Taylor Engineering (1989, 1992) and Taylor and McFeteridge (1991)

. Maintenance20

dredged material from t he navigation channel has typically been disposed of offshore, however, a 1996 dredging event resulted in the placement of suitable material on the downdrift beaches located south of the inlet ( Srivinas et al. 1997).

Beginning in 1993 , Taylor Engineering of Jacksonville initiated a study to develop a St. Augustine Inlet Management Plan. Part one of the study consisted of an in

- depth literature search to identify information relevant to plan development. The resulting document (Abramian et al. 1994) presen ts information sources on morphologic , hydraulic, and coastal conditions in the inlet and adjacent areas; the influence of the inlet and nearby structures on the adjacent beaches and navigation; characteristics of weather and sea conditions at the inlet; a nd natural resources at the inlet and adjacent areas. The second p art of the study consisted of a comprehensive delineation

of inlet physical characteris tics. The study provided both an historical bathymetric analysis as well as modeling of inlet hydraulic s (Srinivas et al. 1996) from which the final management plan (Srivinas et al. 1997) was developed

.

While barrier island estuarine systems like that associated with the Reserve are common along

the East and Gulf coasts of Florida

, there are very few obser vational studies of their hydrodynamic properties. Webb et al. (2007) observed h ydrography and current velocity at a tidally driven coastline trifurcation, adjac ent to the St. Augustine Inlet

, over nearly a semidiurnal period on February 2, 2006. The resul ts of the study showed that mean inflow occurs through the central deep channel and mean outflow over the shoals.

Matanzas Inlet

Matanzas Inlet is one of only two unimproved inlet s on the east coast of Florida. It is characterized by a significant offshor e bar that is transitory in nature, and the presence of appreciable inner shoals (Mehta and Jones 1977). There have historically been tidal channels and shoals at the mouth of the Matanzas Inlet through which there is considerable sediment transport (Galli van and Davis 1981). The creation of the IWW has changed the dynamics of sediment transport such that reductions in current velocity at the junction of the Matanzas River and the

Matanzas Inlet north of Rattlesnake Island cause suspended sediments to settl e, necessitating the frequent dredging and removal of spoil to maintain IWW navigational depths. A variety of

studies of dynamic processes, sediment transport, and littoral drift of the Matanzas Inlet area

have been conducted

, including those by Davis and Fox (1980 , 1981 ), Marion and Mehta (1986), Mehta and Shepard (19 79), and Gallivan (1979).

Shoreline Erosion

Shoreline erosion and concomitant loss of shoreline habitat is occurring at relatively high rates in many places along the margin of the IWW which runs through the Reserve (Price 2006). GIS analysis of aerial photographs showed essential habitats including oyster bars and salt marshes reduced to intertidal sand flats. Exposure to boat wakes was found to be the causal factor most strongly correlated w ith the rate of lateral margin movement. Margin movement rates were also found to vary significantly with exposure to wind waves and with the type of channel margin eroded. A reduction in nearshore wave energy appears to be necessary to allow the recovery of impacted ecosystems.21

In 2006, GTMNERR completed a shoreline stabilization and restoration project of 300 meters of eroding shoreline on the Guana River adjacent to the Environmental Education Center. Shoreline erosion continues to be a problem in other areas of the GTMNERR, and represents a threat to resources at several locations. Most significantly, shoreline erosion along the eastern shore of the Tolomato River is undermining natural and cultural resources on the western bank of the Guana

Peninsula. This shoreline includes 2 significant known archeological sites at Wrights‟ Landing and Shell Bluff Landing. Rising sea levels and wakes from recreational boat traffic appear to be the primary factors contributing to this erosion. Any stabilization efforts on this shore will be challenging to implement in an environmentally sensitive manner, due to the high wave energy created by boat wakes.

The Summerhaven area south of the Matanzas Inlet has been the site of increased beach erosion

as well as actual brea ches of the dune system and destruction of paved roadway. The resulting overwash fans have isolated the properties of a number of homeowners in the area. T he USACE has deposited material obtained from maintenance dredging of the IWW channel at Matanzas

Inle t along this stretch which has the seco n dary benefit of helping to stabilize the beach ( USACE

2004 b ).

Modeling Efforts Multiple modeling efforts have been undertaken or are ongoing within the Reserve to evaluate circulation, flushing, water quality condit ions, and ecosystem health to meet water quality and habitat protection goals. To meet the data needs for these modeling efforts

, SJRWMD completed a bathymetric survey to ob ta in botto m topography of NCB waterways (SJRWMD 2004 a ) , which

included t he bathymet

ry of the Reserve . The project was conducted between 1999 and 2001 with

b athymetric transects primarily spaced at 500 or 1000 foot intervals, and d epth data obtained at approximately 66 foot intervals along each track line. The survey included both lateral and longitudinal depth transects.

These bathymetric data were used by Camp, Dresser & McKee (CDM) to prepare a two

dimensional finite

- difference, curvilinear orthogonal numerical grid model for tidal waters in the NCB (CDM/DHI 2002). This grid is the bas is for an ongoing project to estimate land surface

runoff and non

- point source pollution loading into the IWW and Tolomato

- Matanzas estuary using an HSPF ( Hydrological Simulation Program FORTRAN) watershed model. The watershed

model run s will generate time series of runoff, sediment, and nutrient loads to be used as input s to the NCB hydrodynamic/water quality model, and hence assist in the determination of the

P ollution L oad R eduction G oals (PLRGs) and T otal Maximum D aily Load (TMDL) criterion (Mao et al. 2007). By coupling the model information with a GIS land use database, the effects of the change of the land use among historical, current and future build

- out conditions can be

assessed.

GTMNERR has a large coverage (~15 km 2 ) of tidal flats and tidal mar shes which are generally within the tidal range. A study by Tutak and Sheng (2008) used the 3

- D hydrodynamic model, CH3D, with non

- flooding/drying and flooding/drying versions, to quantify the effects of tidal marshes and tidal flats on the hydrodynamics o f the estuarine system. Simulated flow rate s at the Matanzas and St. Augustine Inlet s were compared with observed data collected using an ADCP

for a 12 h our period.22

The study showed that using a numerical model capable of flooding/drying improved the tid al simulations for stations located in regions with larger marsh coverage or shallower channels. The simulations of total flow rates through the inlets were also improved. Future work will investigate the overland flow through tidal marshes by using an enh anced vegetation model which incorporates friction introduced by submerged and emerged vegetation. The model may also be useful for studying the effects of tidal marshes and tidal flats on the water level, currents and salinity during extreme events (e.g. hurricanes). The three

- dimensional modeling approach can also be used to provide guidance on the development of sampling strategies for biogeochemical studies in the Reserve (Sheng et al. 2008).

Finally, Powell et al. (2006) used the closure of a land bar rier breach at Matanzas Inlet as a case study to illustrate the application of morphodynamic relationships between prism, inlet throat area, and sand transport associated with ebb delta volume.

Land U se The populations of St. Johns County and the adjacen t Duval, Flagler, Putnam, an d Volusia Counties have gr own an average of 23 % between 2000 and 2006 ( US Bureau of the Census 2008) and are projected to grow an additional 20 % by 2010 (BEBR, University of Florida

2002 ). The St. Johns County resident populat ion increased by more than 66% between 2000 and

2006 , representing one of the highest growth rates in Florida for that time period. More than
1,660,0 00 people reside within 50 miles of the Reserve, which includes the cities of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palatka, Daytona and New Smyrna ( US Bureau of the Census 2008 ).

Surrounding land use as of 2004 for the watershed of the northern portion of the Reserve is dominated by forest and wetland cover classifications with a continuing increase in urban developme nt from previous land use classifications. The following comprised the watershed land

use classification s compiled by the SJRWMD in 2004: forests covered 33.5%, wetlands 47.4%, urban development 19.6%, water 16.1%, agriculture 9.7%, upland non

- forested 5.3 %, and transportation/communication/utilities 2.0%. Since 2004 several developments of regional impact have begun within the watershed

. The town of Nocatee adjoin s the Reserve‟s

north west ern boundary along the Tolomato River. Nocatee has a 25

- year projecte d build out totaling 30,000 to 35,000 people and 14,200 homes

. Future analys e s will reflect the changes in

land use

, further shifting the forest and agriculture classifications to more urban development.

Within the southern component of the Reserve

, the P ellicer Creek planning unit is dominated by forestland (55 %), and wetlands (35 %)

, according t o SRJWMD land use estimates from 2000

. Pellicer Creek itself has been maintained as a n aquatic preserve and has been left largely undisturbed. However, t here is co mmercial and residential development to the north and south of

the creek

. Based on current growth, and the future land use plan for Pellicer Creek, residential developments could potentially increase to 22% of the total area. Most of the western portions o f

the unit remain under silvicultural use.

Water Use Potable water can be obtained from either the Floridan Aquifer or from surficial aquifers. These aquifers are primarily shallow lenses of fresh water floating on saline water in near

- surface sand23

and sh ell sediments. There is a deeper lens of fresh water (chloride ≤ 250 milligrams per liter [mg/l]) in the surficial sediments of the Guana peninsula, and a shallower lens below the beach dunes. In addition, water flows freely from deep artesian wells at sev eral locations throughout

the GTMNERR . The artesian discharge has an average chloride concentration of 120 mg/l.

In the GTMNERR, the depth of the top of the Floridan Aq uifer is shallowest in the south (175

ft. (53 meters) , PCAP) and gradually deepens towar ds the north (350 ft. (107 meters) , GRMAP) (Scott and Hajishafie 1980). The aquifer has a thickness of approximately 2,000 feet (610 meters) throughout the GTMNERR (Miller 1986). There is a submarine spring off the coast of

Crescent Beach that originates f rom this aquifer (Kinnaman 2006). Groundwater along the coast

is subject to a low to high degree of lateral salt intrusion. Barrier island ground water supplies are severely limited in St. Johns County, and increased use is likely to increase salinity intr usion into the shallow aquifer during the next twenty years.

Total fresh ground water use for St. Johns County and the surrounding counties increased by 23 %

between 200 0 and 2006 (Table 1 ) and is projected to increase as development in the area expands . T his water consumption includes ground , surface water, and reuse water that is used for domestic, commercial and agricultural purposes

. The water supply planning program of the SJRWMD addresses future water demands, traditional and alternative water sources , and water supply infrastructure improvements required to meet future water supply needs without causing harm to water resources or water dependent natural systems.

Table 1. Total fresh ground water use, and change in water use by County for 2000 and

2006 in million gallons per day (mgd)

County 2000 Total Water

Use (mgd) * 2006 Total Water

Use (mgd) ** Change in Water

Use (%)

Duval 15 4.33 18 0.19 1 4 % Flagler 2 4.5 5 29.11 16 %

Putnam 40.35 6 3.80 3 7 %

St. Johns 5 2.55 59.81 1 2 %

Volusia 97.16 106.56 9 %

Total 3 68.94 479.01 23 %

*SJRWMD (2004 b ) **SJRWMD (2007 )

Water Q uality Water quality research and monitoring is conducted in the Reserve on a national level by

Reserve scientists and on a state and regional level by FDEP, FDACS, and SJRWMD to
facilitate the sust ainable protection of water quality.

System

- wide Monitoring Program The GTMNERR participates in the NERR System

- wide Monitoring Program (SWMP),

established in 1995 to track short

- term variability and long

- term changes in estuarine

environments within the NERR system. The GTMNERR program has three main elements: water quality, weather and nutrient/chlorophyll analyses. The water quality component is comprised of four water quality monitoring stations (listed in Appendix B) at which YSI 660024

EDS datasondes are deployed. Measures of the water temperature, conductivity/salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, water level, and pH are collected at 15 minute intervals (30 minute intervals prior to 2007). The weather component consists of a weather station located a t the mouth of Pellicer Creek from which measures of temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind speed and direction, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) are

collected at 15 minute intervals. Both the weather station and the water quality station at Pellicer Creek have satellite telemetry which provides near real

- time data availability. The third SWMP

element involves nutrient/chlorophyll analysis of water samples collected monthly at each of the four water quality

statio ns, in addition to a diel sampling regime carried out

once a month at the

Pellicer Creek site. Water samples

collected at each site are analyzed for nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, total soluble nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus, total soluble phosphorous, silica, particulate organic carbon, total suspended solids, chlorophyll a, phaeophytin and color.

All SWMP data is housed and served through the NERRS Centralized Data Management Office (CDMO), which provides quality assurance and qu ality control for the Reserve system. The CDMO is also responsible for maintaining and updating the NERRS standard operating procedures so that all SWMP data are collected in the same way across the nation. Archived and

near

- real time water quality, weathe r, and nutrient/chlorophyll data may be accessed directly via an interactive map at: http://cdmo.baruch.sc.edu/QueryPages/googlemap.cfm

.

SWMP is a backbone component of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), a nation

wide organization of ocean and coastal observations, data streams, data management and analysis. The IOOS goal is to bring together these elements from all sources

- federal, state, and

local

- to create synergy across programs. The ultimate purpose is to improve understanding and

mana gement of our coastal waters.

Examples of SWMP data generated at each of the water quality stations and from the weather station during the passing of Tropical Storm Frances are illustrated in Figure 5 (from Brucker25

and Gleeson 2006 ) . Rainfall amounts are shown to increase together with wind speed as the

storm approached , followed by a decrease in these parameters as the storm center passed to the

southwest of the Reserve. From the sonde data, details of the storm surge generated by the strong

northeast wi nds of the tropical system are reflected in both the increased depth profiles and salinity increases, particularly at the Pellicer Creek station. Passage of the storm is followed by dramatic decreases in salinity at all stations resulting from the heavy ra infall.

Figure 5

. Time series of wind speed / direction and rainfall for the Pellicer Creek weather station together with water depth and salinity time series for the Fort Matanzas, Pellicer Creek, Pine Island and San Sebastian water quality stations during the passing of Tropical Storm Frances in

2004.

Close proximity of the weather station and Pellicer Creek water quality station enabled Dix et al. (2008) to document the effects of extreme wind and rainfall conditions associa ted with tropical storms on physiochemical variability in Pellicer Creek. The passing of four tropical systems in 2004 suppressed tidally induced salinity variations. Strong northeasterly winds associated with the storm events initially prompted salinity s pikes, but rainfall over the course of each event ultimately caused strong declines in salinity for extended periods of time. Nitrogen concentrations in Pellicer Creek were significantly elevated following storm events. Since26

primary production in many coa stal environments is nitrogen limited, increases in nitrogen input represent a potential for enhanced algal production and biomass.

Phlips et al. (2004) compared data from the f our GTMNERR SWMP water quality sites from May 2002 through August 2003, to fou r sites in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to assess regional differences in physical and chemical characteristics, and phytoplan k t on abundance

. These sites were chosen because they both include estuaries with water residence times ranging from days to

month s and watersheds with widely differing nutrient load characteristics. T he results of the study suggest that spatial and temporal trends in phytoplankton standing crop in much of the

GTMNERR and IRL are closely tied to water exchange characteristics and the nutrient

- limiting status of the community.

FDEP Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP)

The SWAMP effort is an interagency collaborative effort that is FDEP‟s primary surface water quality monitoring program and central repository for surface wa ter quality data. The intent of the program is to screen water bodies to provide a broad assessment of water quality. Information generated from this program is used to develop total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), identify water bodies for more detailed stud ies, and potentially identify water bodies

for restoration and rehabilitation. Sample locations within proximity of the Reserve are listed in Appendix B

.

SWAMP is part of the state‟s Integrated Water Resource Monitoring Network (IWRMN).

Within this networ k, the FDEP Ambient Monitoring Program samples freshwater lakes, streams and groundwater and estuaries, although the Inshore Marine Monitoring and Assessment Program (IMAP) discussed below, sampled estuaries between 2000 and 2004

.

Data collected through t his program are entered into the STORage and RETrieval database (STORET), the central repository for biological, chemical, and physical data for ground and

surface waters. The STORET Web site at http://storet.dep.state.fl.us/WrmSpa/ allows a variety of

dat a

.

FWC IMAP

IMAP wa s a collaborative project between EPA and the FWC Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) designed to assess the ecological condition of Florida‟s inshore waters using a set of ecological indicators. The indicators chosen for IMAP were divided into two broad categories: physical/chemical and biological.

Physical/chemical indicators chosen for IMAP include d the traditional water quality

measurements such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH, in addition to nutrients

and ch lorophyll a . IMAP biological indicators integrate environmental stressors over larger spatial and temporal scales. Fish, crabs and shrimp we re sampled with trawls and seines;

s eagrass community composition (where present) were assessed; and b enthic macroin vertebrates

wer e sampled to determine community composition and the occurrence of pollution tolerant or intolerant species. Summary reports of the IMAP program can be found at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute ( FWRI ) Web site at27

http://resea rch.myfwc.com/features/category_sub.asp?id=3448 . Sample locations are listed in Appendix B

.

Florida Department of A griculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Aquaculture

The FDACS Division of Aquaculture is responsible for the regulation of aqua culture facilities

and the opening or closing of shellfish harvesting waters to protect human health. The Division

also ensures the continued productivity of oyster reefs through a restoration program and issues leases of submerged state lands for aquacult ure.

The Shellfish Environmental Assessment Section (SEAS) of FDACS monitors water quality in the two conditionally approved shellfish areas within the Reserve boundaries on a quarterly basis to ensure that bacteria levels are safe for shellfish consumpti on. A conditionally approved area must meet fecal coliform water quality standards and the area must be a sufficient distance from pollution sources for shellfish to be wholesome while the area is open for harvesting.

A management plan developed for the se areas uses l ocal rainfall and/or river discharge to predict when the levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the water are unacceptably high. When the rainfall level and/or river level of the management plan is exceeded, the area will be temporarily closed

to shellfish until water quality sample results demonstrate that the levels of bacteria have

returned to safe leve ls for shellfishing to resume. D ata is collected by the Division ( locations listed in Appendix B ) and is transmitted to the FDEP for inclusio n in the STORET database.

SJRWMD Surface W ater Quality Monitoring (SWQM) P rogram SJRWMD monitors water quality from 5 primary stations (listed in Appendix B ) located either

within

, or directly adjacent to the GTMNERR . Data on 25 different constituents ar e derived from samples collected on a t least a monthly basis and can be accessed at http://sjrwmd.com/archydro/factPages

. Using GIS mapping technology, these measurements are evaluated in the context of population density, geology, rainfall, and aquifer re charge. SJRWMD produces a gen e ral water quality synopsis from this collected data ( SJRWMD 2008 ) from which the following descriptions are derived

.

The northernmost sampling site is located on the Tolomato River, just north of Pine Island in

northeastern St. Johns County. When compared to other estuarine sites, conductivity and major ion concentrations are elevated, resulting in very hard water. The median dissolved oxygen

concentration is above the FDEP standard for Class 3 surface waters. The water is we ll

- buffered and slightly alkaline. Total organic carbon concentrations are lower than gener ally found. Total suspended solids and turbidity are both elevated. Total nitrogen and chlorophyll concentrations

are lower than in other estuarine areas.

A second station is located at SR312 and the Matanzas River, and is sampled monthly. When compared to other estuarine sites, conductivity is high with correspondingly high major ion concentrations, resulting in very hard water. The median dissolved oxygen concentra tion is well

above the FDEP standard for Class 3 surface waters. The water is well

- buffered and slightly alkaline. Concentrations of total organic carbon, color, total nitrogen, chlorophyll, and coliform

counts are lower than those found in other estuarine systems.28

Moultrie Creek is located in eastern St. Johns County and drains Cowan Swamp to the Matanzas

River. The creek is sampled monthly at the SR 207 bridge

. Major ion concentrations are high enough to result in moderately hard water. The median dissol ved oxygen concentration is just above the FDEP standard for Class 3 surface waters. The water is moderately buffered and slightly acidic. When compared to other streams, total organic carbon concentrations and color are elevated, resulting in lower Secchi depth. Total suspended solids

, turbidity

, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll concentrations are lower than average

.

Pellicer Creek drains Fish Swamp and Pringle Swamp to the Matanzas River. The Pellicer Creek

Station is sampled every other month, at U.S. Highway 1

. Major ion concentrations vary, but result in moderately hard water. The median dissolved oxygen concentration is below the FDEP standard for Class 3 surface waters. The water is moderately buffered and slightly acidic. When compared to other st ream sites, total organic carbon

, total phosphorus and total suspended solids

concentrations are similar , although color is elevated, and Secchi depth is lower. Estimates of

c hlorophyll concentration were less than in other areas

.

The southernmost SJRWMD station is on the Matanzas River south of Washington Oaks State

Park . When compared to other estuarine sites, conductivity and major ion concentrations are high, resulting in very hard water. The median dissolved oxygen concentration is well above the

FDEP standard for Class 3 surface waters. The water is well

- buffered and slightly alkaline. Color, Secchi depth, and total phosphorus concentrations are typical for estuarine sites, while total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll concentrations are lower than typically found. Total suspended solids and turbidi ty concentrations are elevated.

A 15

- year trend analysis (1990

- 2004) from these four stations showed t otal n itrogen, t otal

s uspended solids and Chl a concentrations to be stable (Ceric et al. 2007).

Pollution I mpacts

Point Sources of Pollution

P oint source dischargers within or adjacent to NERR waterbodies include domestic and industrial wastewater facilities that are regulated through the NPDES program. In October 2000,

the U.S. Environmen tal Protection Agency (EPA) authorized FDEP to implement the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permitting program in the State of Florida (with the exception of Tribal lands). The program regulates point source discharges o f stormwater runoff from urban as well as certain industrial facilities. The operators of regulated industrial facilities must obtain an NPDES stormwater permit and implement appropriate pollution prevention techniques to reduce contamination of stormwater runoff.

There are a number of domestic and industri al wastewater facilities adjacent to the GTMNERR with NPDES permits to discharge to surface waters. The volume of discharges to surface waters from these facilities compared to their permitted capacitie s varies, with some facilities discharging to surface water only during wet weather conditions and others discharging to surface waters exclusively. While water discharged from the facilities meets water quality standards, these pulses of freshwater themse lves may affect the salinity regime in some areas of

the GTMNERR.29

Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Designated large and medium municipal separate storm sewer systems, or MS4s, are a publicly

owned conveyance or system of conveyances (i.e., dit ches, curbs, catch basins, underground pipes) that are designed for the discharge of stormwater to surface waters of the s tate. An MS4 can drain, and be operated by, municipalities, counties, drainage districts, colleges, military bases, or prisons, to nam e a few examples. These facilities were previously required by EPA to obtain NPDES permits prior to delegation to the state . In the S tate of Florida, Phase II permitting was completed in 2003

, and the permitted program has been implemented

. F DEP's authorit y to administer the NPDES program is set forth in Section 403.0885, Florida Statutes ( F.S. )

. NPDES permit holders adjacent to the GTMNERR are listed in Table 2

.

Table 2

. Municipalities adjacent to the GTMNERR with MS4 NPDES permits.

Municipality Permit Number County Flagler Beach FLR04E102 Flagler

FDOT District 2

- St Augustine FLR04E019 St. Johns St Augustine FLR04E101 St. Johns St Augustine Beach FLR04E109 St. Johns St Johns County FLR04E025 St. Johns

Non

- point Sources of Pollution

Non

- point sou rces (NPS) of pollution in the GTMNER R , unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, come from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution occurs when rainfall or irrigation runs over land or through the ground, picks up pollutants throughout the watershed, and deposits them into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters or introduces them into ground water

within the GTMNERR . NPS pollution is widespread because it can occur any time activi ties

disturb the land or water.

Septic systems, also known as onsi te sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS) are prevalent in some areas of the GTMNERR and have been identified as a potential source of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), pathogens and other pollutants that can pose a threat to public health. There are known septic tank problems in the Ponte Vedra area, and on Anastasia

Island

. In addition, urban runoff from streets and yards, construction, forestry, physical changes to stream channels, and habitat degradation are also potential sources of NPS pollu tion. Careless or uninformed household waste management also contributes to NPS pollution problems.

The large number of both resident and transient boats operating within the waters of the Reserve

is another pot ential source of NPS pollution and was evalu ated as a source of pollution by the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Shellfish and Water Quality Task Force (SJRWMD 1997). Numerous studies have revealed a positive correlation between recreational boat densities and the levels of

coliform bacteria in the surround ing water (Rhode Island Sea Grant 1990). Despite a Florida law (327.53 F.S. ) that generally requires most vessels over 26 feet (8 meters) to have a working toile t on board, there is little if any enforcement. A single overboard discharge of human waste can be detected in up to a one square mile area of shallow enclose d water, and contaminants known from human waste include hepatitis, streptococci, fecal coliform and other bacteria. Marine30

sanitation devices themselves may contain harmful chemicals in the di sinfectants and deodorants that are used, and

, if discharged overboard

, can negatively impact water quality

.

The s treams , creeks, ditches and other conveyances within and adjacent to the Reserve transport the majority of agricultural runoff, carrying ins ecticides, fungicides and other pesticides into the estuary and coastal zone

. Pyrethroid insecticides are of particular concern as they can be toxic to aquatic organisms in very small amounts and are used widely. In some cases these chemical s persist in th e environment and have an affinity for the sediments of the estuary and are

bioaccumulative.

SJRWMD is collaborating with Dr. Valer i e Harwood at USF to determine if bacteria in estuarine waters have an anthropogenic component. Water samples from Deep Cree k were obtained for analysis. Fecal coliform and Enter o coccus concentrations are being determined for comparison with Class II water quality standards as well as analysis for two human specific markers, the esp

gene on Enterococcus faecium and the human po lyoma virus.

Nutrients and Contaminants Under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act, each state must prepare a list of waters that are not of sufficient quality to meet their designated uses and to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for those wat ers on a prioritized schedule. These lists are required to be submitted to EPA for review and approval every April of even

- numbered years ; that is, every 2 years. A

number of water bodies in the Reserve appear on the 303(d) l ist that will receive the highe st priority for establishment of TMDLs for restor ation and protection.

TMDLs establish the maximum amount of pollutants a water body can assimilate without exceeding water quality standards. The Florida Watershed Restoration Act, Chapter 99

- 223,

Laws of F lorida, addresses processes for refining the list and for calculating and allocating TMDLs. According to EPA guidelines, waters expected to attain and maintain applicable water quality standards th rough other Federal, State, or l ocal requirements do not ne ed to be included on the 303(d) list. ( www.dep.state.fl.us/water )

. Portions of the GTMNERR are within Group 5 in

FDEP‟s Northeast District

, in the Upper East Coast Basin

. Individual waterbodies of waterbody segments are defined by Waterbod y I dentification (WBID) numbers, which are unique identifiers

that offer a convenient, unambiguous method of referencing individual waterbodies within the

s tate.

The status of each WBID that occurs on the Verified List in the GTMNERR is summarized in

Table 3

. The paramete rs assessed are those for which exceedances have been verified. This list is the first step in the process of restoring these impaired waters. Once these waters have been adopted by Secretarial Order and approved by EPA, FDEP staff will begin developing TM DLs according to the listed schedule. The final step in this process is the development, by watershed

stakeholders and F DEP, of a Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). The BMAP specifies the activities, schedule, and funding sources that point and nonpoint source dischargers will undertake to restore the water body. The GTMNERR is a stakeholder and will therefore participate in the development of the BMAP.31

Table 3 . 303(d) Waterbod ies Status for the Northern Coastal Basin extracted from the FDEP

Revised Dr aft Verified Lists of Impaired Waters for the Group 5 Basins current as of 9/21/2007 *

Planning Unit/ Water Body Segment Planning

Unit W ater Body

Identificatio

n Number (W BID ) Parameters

Assessed Projected Year

for TMDL Development 2 County

To lomato/Matanzas

Guana River Tolomato

River 2320 Coliform (Shellfish harvesting classification),

Dissolved Oxygen, Fecal Coliform, Nutrients (Chla) 2012 St. Johns

Sombrero Creek Tolomato

River 2470 Fecal Coliform 2017 St. Johns

Ximanies Creek Tolom ato
River 2477 Coliform (Shellfish harvesting classification) 2017 St. Johns

Lake Vedra (Guana Lake) Tolomato

River 2320A Dissolved Oxygen 2012 St. Johns

Lake Vedra (Guana Lake) Tolomato

River 2320A Nutrients (Chla) 2012 St. Johns

Tolomato River Tolomat o River 2363I Arsenic,

Coliform (Shellfish harvesting classification), Copper, Iron,

Nickel 2017 St. Johns

Red House Branch Matanzas

River 2472 Fecal Coliform 2017 St. Johns

Moultrie Creek Matanzas

River 2493 Fecal Coliform 2017 St. Johns

Matanzas River Matanzas

River 2363G Iron, Lead 2012 Flagler

Pellicer Creek

Intracoastal Waterway ( IWW ) Pellicer

Creek 2363E Arsenic, Iron 2012 Flagler

IWW Pellicer

Creek 2363F Coliform (Shellfish harvesting classification) 2017 Flagler

Pellicer Creek Pellicer

C reek 2580B Fecal Coliform 2011 Flagler

*Complete dataset can be viewed at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl/verified_gp5R.htm.32

Mussel Watch Since 1986, the NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA) has operated the

Mussel Watc h Project, monitoring chemical contaminants in oysters and mussels and in sediments. The project analyzes chemical and biological contaminant trends in sediment and bivalve tissue collected at over 280 coastal sites from 1986 to present. Both coastal and e stuarine sites are sampled for bivalves biennially and for sediments once every decade. Bivalve and sediment samples are collected from three stations at each site (stations are generally within 100 m of a site center). The concentrations of over 200 diffe rent analytes are measured from these samples. The database includes: sediment and bivalve tissue chemistry for over 100 organic and inorganic contaminants; bivalve histology; and Clostridium perfringens data.

The Mussel Watch Project determines concentra tions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, several pesticides, butyltins, and certain toxic elements in sediment and bivalve samples from the coastal waters of the US. The data are used for determining the e xtent and temporal trends of chemical contamination on a nationwide basis and identifying which coastal areas are at greater risk in terms of environmental quality (O‟Connor 2002; O‟Connor and Lauenstein 2006) . Data can be compared through rankings of

indi vidual constituents for both tissue and sediments based on region, state, or watershed, for

individu al years or all years combined.

Data trends can also be graphed by year for the selected site and analyte. For example

, the trend

in lead concentrations i n tissue between the Matanzas River site an d all other sites in Florida (Figure 6 ) shows that concentrations in the Matanzas River were lower than other sites in the state in 12 out of the 14 years that samples have been collected. Copper concentrations fo r all

sites in Florida (Figure 7 ) were more than double those found at the Matanzas River site for the same 14 year sample period (1986

- 2005)

.33

Figure 6

. Trends Comparison of the Matanzas River Site (Selection A) vs All Site s in Florida (Selection B) for Le ad (Pb ) concentration (μg/dry g) in Oyster Tissue.34

Figure 7

. Trends Comparison of the Matanzas River Site (Selection A) vs All Sites in Florida (Selection B) for Copper (Cu) concentration (μg/dry g) in Oyster Tissue.35 

### BIOLOGICAL SETTING

Int roduction The habitat classification system used to describe biotic habitats was developed by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) and the FDEP. The community types are characterized and defined by a combination of physiognomy, vegetation structure a nd composition, land form, substrate, climate, hydrology, fire regime, topography and soil type. The community types are named for the most characteristic biological or physical feature ( FNAI and FDEP 1990 ). The

Reserve contains twenty

- three distinct FNAI

- classified natural communities (FNAI 1991) as well as open water and ruderal areas

. The habitats are roughly organized as a progression from estuarine, to upland, to freshwater aquatic habitats. Each of these biotic habitats is described

below. In addition , d escriptions of community structure of some of the FNAI habitats have been completed for the CAMA managed units within the Reserve

. These have been included in the GTMNERR Management Plan, and relevant sections of those descriptions are also presented

be low

.

Biological community profiles are presented separately, and describe the major biological components and species within the Reserve. Both important species and past and present

research (through 2009) associated with each component is presented. Appe ndix A contains a complete listing of all species known to occur within the Reserve.

Biotic Habitats

Estuarine Tidal Marsh

– (synonyms: Saltmarsh, Brackish Marsh, Coastal Wetlands, Coastal

Marshe s, Tidal Wetlands)

. Marine and e stuarine tidal m arshes are f loral b ased n atural c ommunities generally characterized

as expanses of grasses, rushes and sedges along coastlines of low wave energy and river mouths. They are most abundant and most

extensive in Florida north of the normal freeze line, being largely

dis pl aced by and interspersed among tidal s wamps below this

line.

Estuarine tidal marsh plants live

under conditions which would stress most plants. High salt content in the soil, poor soil aeration, frequent submersion and exposure, intense sunlight, and

oc casional fires make the estuarine tidal marsh community inhospitable to most plants and require s a wide tolerance limit for its inhabitants. The landward extent of estuarine tidal marsh along the shoreline is directly related to the degree of bottom slope; the more gradual the slope36

the broader the community band. Typical zonation in this community includes smooth cordgrass in the deeper edges, grading to salt tolerant plants such as black needlerush that withstand less

inundation.

The vegetation of this m arsh community consists of a number of species in the grass ( Poaceae ), sedge ( Cyperaceae ), and rush ( Juncaceae ) families. The marsh area within the R eserve is dominated by smooth cordgrass ( Spartina alterniflora ). Smooth cordgrass is well adapted to sea

st rength salinity, 35 parts per thousand (ppt), and occurs in the regularly flooded or low marsh (z one between mean low water (MLW) and mean high water (MHW )). Smooth cordgrass becomes mixed with glasswort ( Salicornia sp ), saltwort ( Batis maritima ), sea purs lane ( Sesuvium portulacastrum ), and salt grass ( Distichlis spicata ) on sandy substrates near the high water mark.

Areas of high marsh (zone between MHW and MLW spring tide) occur where tidal flow is restricted and are dominated by black needlerush ( Juncus roemerianus ). Other commonly occurring species in the high marsh include sea oxeye ( Borrichia frutescens ), sea lavender ( Limonium carolinianum ), marsh elder ( Iva frutescens ), and groundsel tree ( Baccharis halimifolia ). Brackish marshes are found in the no rthern component of the Reserve, and include the managed Diego Pond, and north

- central portions of Guana Lake. Brackish marshes have salinity levels of about one

- third sea strength. Salinity is strongly influenced by rain water runoff. Vegetation consists mainly of species endemic to the saltmarsh, but includes additional species less tolerant of higher salinity levels. Some representatives are: cattail ( Typha domingensis ), dwarf spikerush ( Eleocharis parvula ), saltmarsh bulrush ( Scirpus robustus ), rush ( Ju ncus spp. ), and muhly grass ( Muhlenbergia capillaris ).

Tidal fluctuation is one of the most important ecological factor s in these communities, cycling nutrients and allowing marine and estuarine fauna access to the marsh. This exchange helps to

make estua rine tidal marsh one of the most biologically productive natural communities in the world. In fact, primary productivity surpasses that of most intensive agricultural practices. The former operates at no cost because of free energy subsidies from tides, wh ile the latter requires costly energy subsidies in the form of fuels, chemicals, and labor. A myriad of invertebrates and fish, including most of the commercially and recreationally important species such as shrimp, blue crab, oysters, sharks, grouper, sna pper and mullet, also use these marshes throughout part or all of their life cycles.

Estuari ne tidal marshes are also extremely important because of their storm buffering capacity and their pollutant filtering actions. The dense roots and stems hold the u nstabilized soils together, reducing the impact of storm wave surge. The plants, animals, and soils filter, absorb, and neutralize many pollutants before they can reach adjacent marine and estuarine communities.

Adverse impacts of urban development on est uarine t idal m arshes include degradation of water quality, filling of marshes, increased erosion, and other alterations such as bulkheading, and dock construction. Offshore and watershed based pollution from oil spills, litter and polluted storm

water runo ff can also have detrimental impacts to e stuarine t idal m arsh habitats.37

Estuarine Unconsolidated Substrate

- (synonyms: Beach, Shore, Sand Bottom, Shell Bottom, Sand Bar, Mud Flat, Tidal Flat, Soft Bottom, Coralgal Substrate, Marl, Gravel, Pebble,

Calcare ous Clay). In general, estuarine unconsolidated substrate communities are the most widespread communities in the world. However, unconsolidated substrates vary greatly throughout Florida, based on surrounding parent material. Unconsolidated sediments can o riginate from organic sources, such as decaying plant tissues (e.g., mud) or from calcium carbonate depositions of plants or animals (e.g., coralgal, marl and shell substrates). Marl and coralgal substrates are primarily restricted to the southern portion of the state. The remaining four kinds of unconsolidated substrate, mud, mud/sand, sand, and shell, are found throughout the coastal areas

of Florida.

Estuarine u nconsolidated s ubstrate exist s throughout the Reserve between the extreme spring high and low tide lines. While these areas may seem relatively barren, these habitats may support a large population of infaunal organisms as well as a variety of transient planktonic and pelagic organisms. The se flats are inhabited by microscopic benthic algae. Algae

- based food webs eliminate the loss of energy associated with trophic intermediates (i.e., bacteria and fungi) in

detritus

- based food webs. Infaunal organisms in subtidal zones can reach the tens of thousands

per square meter, making these areas important feeding grounds for many bottom feeding fish, such as redfish, flounder, spot, and sheepshead. The intertidal and supratidal zones are extremely important feeding grounds for numerous species of birds and

invertebrates. Additionally, benthic algae and pho tosynthetic bacteria

have been shown to significantly contribute to the primary productivity of estuaries (Coultas and Hsieh 1997).

Estuarine unconsolidated substrate communities which are composed chiefly of sand (e.g., sand beaches) are the most importa nt recreational areas in Florida, attracting millions of residents and tourists annually. This community is resilient and may recover from recreational disturbances.

T his habitat is vulnerable to compaction associated with vehicular traffic on beaches an d disturbances from dredge / fill activities and low dissolved oxygen levels, all of which can cause infaunal organisms to be destroyed or to migrate out of the area. Generally these areas are easily38

recolonized either by the same organisms or a series of or ganisms which eventually results in the community returning to its original state once the disturbance has ceased. In extreme examples, significant alterations of elevation or sediment grain size distribution can also cause long

- term impacts to this habita t.

Estuarine unconsolidated habitat is also susceptible to the accumulation of toxic levels of heavy metals, oils, and pesticides associated with fine

- grained sediments and organic matter. Significant amounts of these compounds in the sediments will harm the infaunal organisms, thereby eliminating or contaminating a food source for certain fishes, birds, and other organisms. Such problems primarily occur in some of the major cities, in areas where there is heavy industrial development, near sewage treatme nt plant outfalls, and along major shipping channels where oil spills are more likely to occur. Improperly treated stormwater runoff from residential areas is becoming a progressively more important source of pollutants as human population

densities increa se along the coast.

Estuarine Mollusk Reef

- ( synonyms: Oyster Bar, Oyster Reef, Oyster Bed, Oyster Rock, Oyster

Gro unds, Mussel Reef).

Marine and estuarine mollusk reefs are faunal based natural c ommunities typically characterized as expansive concentrat ions of sessile mollusks occurring in intertidal and subtidal zones. The most common type of m ollusk r eef in the GTMNERR, oyster reef

, is common in the low

- energy, sedimentary environment characteristic of the continuous strands of tidal mar sh occurring al ong the Tolomato, Guana and Matanzas Rivers. It occur s in water salinities from just above fresh water to just below full strength sea water, but develop s most frequently in estuarine water with salinities between 15 and 30 ppt. Their absence in marine wat er is largely attributed to the many predators, parasites, and diseases of oysters that occur in higher salinities. Prolonged exposure to

low salinities (less then 2 ppt ) is also known to be responsible for massive mortality of oyster reefs. Thus, signific ant increases or decreases in salinity levels through natural or unnatural

alterations of freshwater inflo w can be detrimental to oyster m ol lusk r eef communities. The condition of this community provides a valuable performance indicator for restoring natu ral

freshwater inflows to altered estuarine habitats.

The extensive surface area of an oyster reef provides essential habitat for a wide variety of organisms. Every square meter of oyster bed provides up to 50 square meters of hard substrate ( Bahr and Lan ier 1981 ). This substrate is colonized by many suspension

- and deposit

- feeding macrofaunal consumers such as barnacles, polychaetes, amphipods, and mud crabs. These are preyed upon by carnivores, such as the blue crab and black drum. Oyster reefs that are exposed during low tides are frequented by a multitude of shorebirds, wading birds, raccoons, and other

vertebrates.

One of the functions of the mollusk reef inhabitants in a tidal marsh ecosystem is to mineralize organic carbon and release nitrogen and p hosphorus in forms usable by the primary producers (phytoplankton and benthic algae). Oyster reefs also affect the physiography and hydrology of

the estuary by modifying current velocities and changing sedimentation rates and patterns. Oyster reefs trap se diment, stabilize erosional processes, and provide a stable island of hard

substrate.39

The major threats to mollusk reefs continue to be pollution and substrate degradation due, in large part, to upland development. Mollusks are filter feeders, filtering u p to 100 gallons of water a day. In addition to filtering food, they also filter and accumulate toxins from polluted waters. Sources of these pollutants can be from considerably distant areas, but are often more damaging when nearby. Substrate degradation occurs when silts, sludge and dredge spoils cover and bury

the m ollusk r eefs.

Marine Unconsolidated Substrate

- (synonyms: Beach, Shore, Sand Bottom, Shell Bottom, Sand Bar, Mud Flat, Tidal Flat, Soft Bottom, Coralgal Substrate, Marl, Gravel, Pebble, Cal careous Clay).

Unconsolidated s ubstrate s are marine mineral

- based communities found along the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. The beach substrate is mainly coquina with white quartz sand. Although the turbulent wave conditions appear to result in an unsta ble and harsh environment, the surf zone is an important habitat for a variety of animal life. For species adapted to this environment, the wave energy may provide a subsidy by supplying plankton and detritus to secondary filter feeders, exposing prey to f ishes, and concentrating plankton along the swash zone (Ross 1983). Swash zones also act as biological purification systems for coastal water.

Organic matter from the ocean, especially macroscopic algae, is acted upon by bacteria in the

beach sands. The b acteria are, in turn, eaten by nematodes, flatworms, protozoa, and amphipods. In the high energy zone of the beach, permanent residents are primarily burrowing marine life such as ghost shrimp, polychaetes, and sea cucumbers. At low tide, shore birds activ ely feed on the many burrowing organisms.

For some fish species, the surf zone is used only by larval stages, with juveniles occurring in other, primarily lower salinity, environments. Other species spawn offshore and utilize the surf zone as a juvenile n ursery area. A third group spawns offshore and nearshore and may be found in the surf zone as larvae, juveniles, or even adults.

Marine Consolidated Substrate

- (synonyms: Hard Bottom, Rock Bottom, Limerock Bottom, Coquina Bottom, Relic Reef).

This commun ity is represented by an outcrop of coquina rock called the Anastasia Formation that is supratidal to subtidal. Zonation of the plants and animals is driven by the tides, with the supratidal zone labeled the black zone, followed by the yellow zone, the gre en zone, and the red zone. Colors are the result of the dominant alga. Well over 100 species of plants and animals have been identified from this formation in Washington Oaks State Garden. The resilience of this habitat to anthropogenic disturbance require s further study.

Open Water

- This is a non

- FNAI categorized marine habitat consisting of coastal rivers, tidal creeks and estuarine open water areas, as well as the pelagic water areas of marine habitat within

state waters that extend three nautical mile s off the coast.

Beach Dune

– (synonyms: Sand Dunes, Pioneer Zone, Upper Beach, Sea Oats Zone, Coastal Strand).40

Beach d une is characterized as a wind

- deposited, foredune and wave

- deposited upper beach that are sparsely to densely vegetated. Dune vegetatio n consists primarily of sea oats ( Uniola paniculata ), railroad vine ( Ipomoea pes

- caprae ) and marshhay cordgrass ( Spartina patens ).

The contour of the beach dune determines the exposure of shoreline communities to ocean winds, salt spray, and temperature and moisture fluctuations. The beach face profile includes the slope of the coquina and sand beach along the oceanfront, a 2

- 4 foot primary dune westward of the beach, a narrow trough between the primary and secondary dunes, and climaxes in a 20

- 35+

foot s econdary dune.

Plants of the beach d unes are extremely vulnerable to human impacts

, particularly soil compaction. A footpath or off

- road vehicle trail over the beach dunes damages the vegetation, increasing erosion by wind and water as gaps develop. The s and from the gap moves inland, and rapidly buries vegetation, destabilizing the beach dunes and disturbing adjacent communities. Gaps also increase erosion caused by storms.

The beach dunes are home to the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse ( Peromys cus polionotus phasma ), c otton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus ), marsh rabbits ( Sylvilagus palustris ), snakes, and owls. B obcats ( Felis rufus ), and peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus ) are also

common residents or visitors to these dunes. The northern component of the Reserve contains nearly five miles of virtually undeveloped Atlantic Ocean beach dune habitat.

Coastal strand

– (synonyms: Shrub Zone, Ma ritime Thicket, Coastal Scrub).

Coastal s trand is characterized as stabilized, wind

- deposited coastal dunes that are vegetated with

a dense thicket of salt

- tolerant shrubs. The vegetation in this community consists of scrubby oaks41

( Quercus geminata, Q. myrtifolia, Q. chapmanii. ), redbay ( Persea borbonia ), saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens ), yaupon holly ( Ilex vomitoria ), wild olive ( Osmanthus americana ), scattered cabbage palm ( Sabal palmetto ) and southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ). The overall physical shaping of this community is maintained in part by the shearing effect of salt winds coming across the dunes and sc ulpturing the oak

- dominated vegetation.

Coastal s trand dunes are generally quite stable but are susceptible to severe damage if the vegetation is disturbed. Shrubs in the c oastal s trand are frequently dwarfed and pruned as a result of the salt spray

- laden winds that kill twigs on the seaward side, producing a smooth, dense upward

- slanting canopy resembling a sheared hedge. Coastal s trand is actually an ecotonal community that generally lies between b each d une and m aritime hammock. It may also grade

into s c rub, and it often shares many of the same species that occur in c oastal b erm. Fire may

reduce succession towards m aritime h ammock. However, maritime influences alone will often

suffice to inhibit succession to forest.

Coastal s trand is one of the most ra pidly disappearing community types in Florida. It is most extensive along the Atlantic Coast where, being elevated and next to the coast, it is prime resort or residential property. Coastal s trand originally occurred as a nearly continuous band along the

A tlantic shorelines. Now it occurs largely as broken and isolated small stretches. Along with other coastal communities, c oastal s trand protects inland communities from the severe effects of

storms.

This habitat is utilized by migrating birds such as gray catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis ), painted bunting ( Passerina ciris ), wood warblers, and resident species such as northern cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis ), northern mockingbird ( Mimus polyglottos ), Carolina wren ( Thryothorus

ludovicianus ), marsh rabbit, s ix

- lined racerunner ( Cnemidophorus sexlineatus ), gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) and eastern coachwhip ( Masticophis flagellum ).

Maritime Hammock

- (synonyms: Coastal Hammock, Maritime Forest, Tropical Hammock).

Maritime h ammock is characterized as a narrow band of hardwood forest lying just inland of the

c oastal s trand community.

The maritime hammock community is represented in both barrier island and interior portions of the Reserve and is composed of an over

- story of live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), laurel oak ( Q. laurifolia ), pignut hickory ( Carya glabra ), southern magnolia, and redbay. The understory is very open, consisting of saplings of the above mentioned species, yaupon, a variety of sedges, and saw palmetto. White

- tailed deer ( Odocoileus vi rginianus ), bobcats, raccoons ( Procyon

lotor ), opossums ( Didelphis virginiana ), gopher tortoises, rattlesnakes and migratory songbirds

all use this extensive area.

The generally mesic conditions and insular locations of well

- developed m aritime h ammock

co mmunities inhibit natural fires, which occur no more frequently than once every 26 to 100 years. In mature m aritime h ammock, fire may alter the original appearance, obscuring former beach ridge vegetation patterns and creating a diversity of plant sub

- asso ciations. Nutrient recycling is generally accomplished by biological based processes instead of by fire.42

Maritime h ammock is the terminal stage of succession in coastal areas. Maritime h ammock is prime resort and residential property because of its relat ively protected location along the coast. Although it originally occurred in virtually continuous bands with c oastal s trand, m aritime

h ammock is now dissected into fragments by development and is rapidly disappearing. Maritime

h ammock is reasonably resilie nt so long as the canopy remains intact and the landform stable.

Xeric Hammock

– (synonyms: Xeric Forest, Sand Hammock, Live Oak Fore st, Oak Woodland, Oak Hammock).

Xeric h ammock is characterized as either a scrubby, dense, low canopy forest with little understory other than palmetto, or a multi

- storied forest of tall trees with an open or closed

canopy.

Xeric h ammock is an advanced successional stage of s crub or s andhill and occurs on sand ridges along former shorelines . The variation in vegetation str ucture is predominantly due to the original community from which it developed. As with maritime hammocks, an important factor in the development and maintenance of the hammock is the canopy. The species composition is often similar to maritime hammock, com posed of an over

- story of live oak, sand live oak ( Q. geminata ), laurel oak, pignut hickory, southern magnolia, and redbay. In all cases, however, the soils consist primarily of deep, well

- drained sands that were derived from old dune systems.

Soils are th e best measure to delineate these relict scrubby ridges, and therefore the distribution of this community follows closely to that of Astatula fine sands. The sparsity of herbs and the relatively incombustible oak litter preclude most fires from invading x e ric h ammock. When fire does occur, it is nearly always catastrophic and may revert x eric h ammock into another community type. Xeric h ammock only develops on sites that have been protected from fire for 30 or more years.

Scrub

– (synonyms: Sand Pine Scrub, Florida Scrub, Sand Scrub, Rosemary Scrub, Oak Scrub). Scrub occurs in many forms, but is often characterized as a closed to open canopy forest of sand pines with dense clumps or vast thickets of scrub oaks and other shrubs dominating the understory.

Pat ches of maturing scrub are mixed in with the xeric hammock community. These small patches, which are dominated by sand live oak, myrtle oak ( Q. myrtifolia ), Chapman‟s oak ( Q. chapmanii ), staggerbush ( Lyonia ferruginea ), fetterbush (L. lucida ) and several o ther ericaceous plants, comprise one twelve

- acre parcel plus several smaller areas scattered throughout the

interior of the Reserve‟s northern component

.

Scrub is essentially a fire maintained community. Ground vegetation is extremely sparse and leaf

fal l is minimal, thus reducing the chance of frequent ground fires. As the sand pines mature, however, they retain most of their branches and build up large fuel supplies in their crowns. When a fire does occur, this fuel supply, in combination with the resin ous needles and high stand density, ensures a hot, fast burning fire. Such fires allow for the regeneration of the Scrub community which might otherwise succeed to x eric h ammock. The minerals in the vegetation are deposited on the bare sand as ashes, and t he heat of the fire generally facilitates the release of pine seeds. As discerned from the life histories of the dominant plants, scrub probably burns catastrophically once every 20 to 80 years or longer. Scrub is also readily damaged by off

- road43

vehicle t raffic or even foot traffic, which destroys the delicate ground cover and allows the loose sand to erode. Once disturbed, ground lichens may require 50 years or more to recover. These scrub areas have been fire excluded long enough that future management w ill undoubtedly require mechanical treatment to knock back the aging scrub oaks.

Mesic Flatwoods

- (synonyms: Pine Flatwoods, Pine Savannahs, Pine Barrens ). Mesic Flatwoods are characterized as an open canopy forest of widely spaced pine trees with

little or no understory but a dense ground cover of herbs and shrubs.

Mesic f latwoods occur on relatively flat, moderately to poorly drained terrain. The soils typically

consist of 1

- 3 feet (.3 to 1 meters) of acidic sands generally overlying an organic hardpan or clayey subsoil. The hardpan substantially reduces the percolation of water below and above its surface. During the rainy seasons, water frequently stands on the hardpan's surface and briefly inundates much of the flatwoods; while during the drier seaso ns, ground water is unobtainable for many plants whose roots fail to penetrate the hardpan. Thus, many plants are under the stress of water saturation during the wet seasons and under the stress of dehydration during the dry

seasons.

The mesic flatwood co mmunity is dominated by slash pine and pond pine ( Pinus serotina ). The understory consists of saw palmetto, gallberry ( Ilex glabra ), tarflower ( Befaria racemosa ), grasses such as wiregrass ( Aristida beyrichiana ), and a variety of sedges.

As a pyrogenic co mmunity, this pineland stand must be prescribed burned on a two

- five year rotation in order to control hardwood encroachment and to prevent accumulation of excessive

fuel loads. Nearly all plants and animals inhabiting this community are adapted to periodi c fires; several species depend on fire for their continued existence. With out relatively frequent fires,

mesic f latwoods succeed into hardwood

- dominated forests whose closed canopy can essentially eliminate the ground cover herbs and shrubs. Additionally, the dense layer of litter that accumulates on unburned sites can eliminate the reproduction of pines which require a mineral soil substrate for proper germination. Conversely fires that are too frequent or too hot would eliminate pine recruitment and even tually transform m esic f latwoods into d ry p rairie.

Shell Mound

- (synonyms: Midden, Indian Mound, Tropical Hammock, Mari time Hammock, Coastal Hammock).

Shell m ound is unusual among the biological communities in that it is largely a result of the

activitie s of Native Americans, instead of n atural physical factors. Shell m ound s are small hills, usually in coastal locations, composed entirely of shells (clams, oysters, whelks) which support an assemblage of calciphilic plant species. A rich calcareous soil de velops on the depo s ited shells which supports a diverse hardwood, closed

- canopy forest habitat on undisturbed mounds.

The unique shell mound hardwood forest habitat is located at Shell Bluff and several other areas along much of the perimeter of the Gua na peninsula (e.g., Wright‟s Landing). Shell Bluff was homesteaded in the past and was devoid of vegetation until recently. Today, it is covered almost exclusively by southern red cedar ( Juniperus silicicola ), scattered slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ) and

an understory of grasses and sedges.44

The greatest threat to this habitat is erosion by tidal currents (Baker 1988) , wave action from boats along the IWW, and sea level rise. A restoration project, completed in 1992 prior to Reserve designation, attempted to stabilize the Shell Bluff shoreline using coquina rocks. A recent engineering evaluation (Taylor Engineering, 2007) indicates that inappropriate placement, size and density of these rocks have worsened the situation. Erosion also continues to be a major

th reat to the Shell Mound at the Wright‟s Landing area to the south

, where large trees, including slash pines and some mature sand pines ( Pinus clausa ) are washing into the Tolomato River.

Coastal Interdunal Swale

This is a h abitat that occur s where 1) dun e and swale topography has developed within the past 5000 years, 2) a lens of groundwater intersects the bottom of the swales, and 3) extensive flooding by saltwater is infrequent. Critical to the existence of this habitat is a subsurface hydraulic connect ion with the barrier island's water table. The water levels in the interdunal wetlands are strongly tied to local rainfall events. Consequently, the community varies from flooded to completely dry depending on rainfall, as well as area and elevation of the surrounding

dunes.

A large expanse of this community type is located within the northern portion of the Reserve. For all practical purposes, it is the southern portion of an adjacent wetland system managed as Big Savannah Pond by the Florida Fish and Wil dlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) . Both wetlands currently function reciprocally because of the hydrologic connection between them and a large ditch that bisects them. In addition

, similar depressional wetlands exist throughout the

barrier island within the coastal strand community; although they are much smaller in size

. T wo known sites are located just north of the R eserve‟s central and northern parking areas.

Coastal interdunal s wale wetlands are dominated by sand cordgrass ( Spartina bakeri ),

maidenca ne ( Panicum hemitomon ), cinnamon fern ( Osmunda cinnamomea ), royal fern ( O. regalis ) and a rich variety of other herbaceous plants. It is also particularly rich in wildlife, possessing large numbers of macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians such as the mole s alamander ( Ambystoma talpoideum ), snakes, turtles, alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), rodents, river otter ( Lutra canadensis ), waterfowl and wading birds like wood stork ( Mycteria americana ), roseate spoonbill (

Ajaia ajaja ), and raptors like American kestrel ( Falco sparverius ). Striped newts also use this wetland, usually just following drought conditions when ephemeral pools begin filling with rainfall. This species has a complex life cycle (Johnson 2002) and appears to only reproduce in ponds where p redatory fish are absent (Moler and Franz 1987).

Little in the way of active management is required for this habitat other than to prevent disruption by vehicles or excessive foot traffic or disruption of natural hydrology. Fires occasionally burn throug h the swales but the dominant factor in this community's development and maintenance is hydrology.

Sandhill

- Sandhill

- (synonyms: Longleaf Pine, Turkey Oak, Xerophytic Oak, Deciduous Oak, High Pine).

Sandhill habitats are characterized as a forest of w idely spaced pine trees with a sparse understory of deciduous oaks and a fairly dense ground cover of grasses and herbs on rolling

hills of sand.45

Fire is a dominant factor in the ecology of this community. Sandhills are a fire climax community, being depe ndent on frequent ground fires to reduce hardwood competition and to perpetuate pines and grasses. The natural fire frequency appears to be every 2 to 5 years. Without frequent fires, s andhills may eventually succeed to x eric h ammock. Unburned s andhills ma y be dominated by turkey oak.

Coastal Berm

– (synonyms: Shell Ridge, Coastal Levee, Coastal Forest, Buttonwood Embankment, Mangrove Hammock).

Coastal b erm applies to a variety of plant associations that develop on ridges of storm deposited sand, shells, a nd debris. These associations include dense thickets of large shrubs and small trees, hammocks, or sparse shrubby vegetation with spiny xerophytic plants. Coastal b erm habitats are

similar to c oastal s trand habitats in their physiography and resilience

.

S crubby Flatwood

- (synonyms: Xeric Flatwoods, Dry Flatwoods). Scrubby Flatwoods are characterized as an open canopy forest of widely scattered pine trees with a sparse shrubby understory and numerous areas of barren white sand. The vegetation is a

combinat ion of s crub and m esic f latwoods species; s crubby f latwoods often occupy broad

transitions or ecotones between these communities.

Scrubby f latwoods generally occur intermingled with m esic f latwoods along slightly elevated

relictual sandbars and dunes. The white sandy soil is several feet deep and drains rapidly. However, the water table is unlikely to be very deep. Scrubby f latwoods normally do not flood even under extremely wet conditions. The temperature and humidity of air and soil in s crubby

f latwoods fluctuate s substantially more than in most other communities because the scattered overstory, sparse understory, and barren sands of s crubby f latwoods do not buffer daily and seasonal changes very well.

Although the elevated, deeper sandy soils of scrubby flatwoods engender a drier environment than the surrounding mesic flatwoods, the general sparsity of ground vegetation and the greater proportion of relatively incombustible scrub

- oak leaf litter reduce the frequency of naturally occurring fires. Only aft er a long absence of fire and during periods of drought does the leaf litter become sufficiently combustible and concentrated enough to support an ecological burn. Several species of plants in s crubby f latwoods are typical scrub plants which endure only wh en long intervals between fires occur. Thus, a periodicity of approximately 8 to 25 years between fires appears to be natural for this community

.

Upland Mixed Forest

- Upland Hardwood Forest and Upland Mixed Forest

- (synonyms: Mesic Hammock, Climax Hard woods, Upland Hardwoods, Beech

- Magnolia Climax, Oak

- Magnolia Climax, Pine

- Oak Hickory Association, Southern Mixed Hardwoods, Clay Hills Hammocks, Piedmont Forest). Upland m ixed f

orests are characterized as well

- developed, closed canopy forests of upland

ha rdwoods on rolling hills

Soils of u pland m ixed f

orests are generally sandy

- clays or clayey sands with substantial organic and often calcareous components. The topography and clayey soils increase surface water runoff,46

although this is counterbalanced by t he moisture retention properties of clays and by the often thick layer of leaf mulch which helps conserve soil moisture and create mesic conditions. Furthermore, the canopy is densely closed, except during winter in areas where deciduous trees predominate. Thus, air movement and light penetration are generally low, making the humidity high and relatively constant. Because of these conditions u pland m ixed f orests rarely burn.

Upland m ixed f

orests are climax communities for their respective geographic locat ions. They are often associated with and grade into u pland p ine f orest, s lope f

orest or x eric h ammock. Occasionally, u pland m ixed f orests may also grade into m aritime h ammock or p rairie h ammock. During early stages of succession, u pland m ixed f orest may be difficult to distinguish from

u pland p ine f

orests that have not been burned for several years. Disturbed sites may require hundreds of years to reach full development with species compositions representative of climax

conditions.

Depression Marsh

– (syno nyms: Isolated Wetland, Flatwoods Pond, St. John's Wort Pond, Pineland Depression, E phemeral Pond, Seasonal Marsh). Depression m arsh is characterized as a shallow, usually rounded depression in sand substrate with herbaceous vegetation often in concentric bands. A number of small isolated wetlands are scattered throughout the interior portion of the northern component. These wetlands are dominated by sand cordgrass, maidencane, and a rich variety of other herbaceous plants. As with swale wetlands, these dep ressional marshes possess a rich diversity of associated animals. One listed species found here is the striped newt ( Notophthalmus perstriatus ).

Depression m arshes occur where sand has slumped and created a conical depression subsequently filled by direc t rain fall, runoff, or seepage from surrounding uplands. The substrate is usually acid sand with deepening peat toward the center. Some depressions may have developed or be maintained by a subsurface hardpan. Hydrological conditions vary, with most

d epres sion m arshes drying in most years. Hydroperiods range widely from as few as 50 days or less to more than 200 days per year.

Fire is important to maintaining this community type by restricting invasion of shrubs and trees and the formation of peat. Fire fr equency is often greatest around the periphery of the marsh and

least toward the center. Severe peat fire can lower the ground surface and create a p ond at the

center of the marsh. Hydrologic conditions and species composition must be monitored and used

to assess ecological targets to guide fire management.

Dome Swamp

- (synonyms: Isolated Wetland Cypress Dome, Cypress Pond, Gum Pond, Bayhead, Cypress Gall, Pine Barrens Pond).

Dome s wamps are characterized as shallow, forested, usually circular depressions that generally present a domed profile because smaller trees grow in the shallower waters at the outer edge, while bigger trees grow in the deeper water in the interior. Pond cypress, swamp tupelo, and slash pine are common plants.

Dome s wamps typically develop in sandy flatwoods areas where sand has slumped creating a conical depression. Soils are composed of peat, which becomes thickest toward the center of the47

dome, and are generally underlain with acidic sands and then limestone, although other subsoi ls may also occur. Some domes have a clay lens that helps retain water levels.

Dome s wamps often derive much of their water through runoff from surrounding uplands, but they may also be connected with underground channels, in which case subterranean flows would dominate the hydrological regime. Dome s wamps generally function as reservoirs that recharge the aquifer. The normal hydroperiod for Dome s wamps is 200 to 300 days per year with water being deepest and remaining longest near the center of the dome.

Fire is essential for the maintenance of a cypress dome community. Without periodic fires, hardwood invasion and peat accumulation would convert the dome to Bottomland Forest or Bog.

Dome s wamps dominated by bays are close to this transition. Fire frequen cy is greatest at the dryer periphery of the dome and least in the interior where long hydroperiods and deep peat maintain high moisture levels for most of the year. The normal fire cycle might be as short as 3 to 5 years along the outer edge and as long a s 100 to 150 years towards the center. The profile of

a Dome s wamp (i.e., smaller trees at the periphery and largest trees near the center) is largely attributable to this fire regime. The shorter hydroperiods along the periphery permit fires to burn

into the edge more often, occasionally killing the outer trees. Cypress is very tolerant of light surface fires, but muck fires burning into the peat can kill them, lower the ground surface, and transform the dome into a pond.

Floodplain Swamp

- (synonyms: Riv er Swamp, Bottomland Hardwoods, Seasonally Flooded Basins or Flats, Oak

- Gum

- Cypress, Cypress

- Tupelo, Slough, Oxbow, Back Swamp). Floodplain s wamps occur on flooded soils along stream channels and in low spots and oxbows within river floodplains.

Soils of floodplain s wamps are highly variable mixtures of sand, organic, and alluvial materials, although some sites, especially within sloughs or on smaller streams, may have considerable peat accumulation. Floodplain s wamps are flooded for most of the year, with sites along channels inundated by aerobic flowing water while those of sloughs and backswamps are naturally flooded with anaerobic water for extensive periods of time. Soils and hydroperiods determine species composition and community structure. Seasonal and often prolonged inundations restrict the growth of most shrubs and herbs, leaving most of the ground surface open or thinly mantled with leaf litter. Floods redistribute detritus to other portions of the floodplain or into the main

river channel. This rich organic debris is essential to the functional integrity of downriver ecosystems such as estuaries. These swamps are usually too wet to support fire.

Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake

- (synonyms: Flatwoods Pond, Ephemeral Pond, Grass Pond, St.

John's Wort Pond, Freshwater Lake, Pineland Depression, Swale, Prairie Pond). The distinctions between these communities, and from d epression m arsh, are often quite subtle, because of their successional interrelationships.

Water for this habitat is derived mostly fr om runoff from the immediately surrounding uplands. This habitat functions as aquifer recharge areas by acting as reservoirs. Water generally remains throughout the year in a f latwoods/ p rairie l ake or a m arsh l ake, although water levels may48

fluctuate subst antially. Alterations in natural hydrologic conditions and water quality are the primary disturbances to this habitat.

Blackwater Stream

- (synonyms: Blackwater River, Blackwater Creek).

Blackwater s treams are characterized as perennial or intermittent se asonal watercourses originating deep in sandy lowlands where extensive wetlands with organic soils function as reservoirs, collecting rainfall and discharging it slowly to the stream. The tea

- colored waters of

b lackwater s treams are laden with tannins, par ticulates, dissolved organic matter and iron derived from drainage through swamps and marshes.

Blackwater s treams are the most widely distributed and numerous r iverine systems in the

southeast c oastal p lain. Very few, however, have escaped major disturban ces and alteration. Clearcutting adjacent forested lands and disruptions to natural hydrology are two of the more devastating alterations for this community. Additionally, limited buffering of b lackwater s treams from development intensifies the detrimental impacts of agricultural, residential and industrial polluted runoff

.

Ruderal

This habitat consists of areas where n atural ground cover is severely disturbed by human influence. Developed land within the Reserve consists of the maintenance and office faci lities, parking lots, trails, roads, nature centers, restrooms and other structures found within the boundary. To minimize the environmental impact of these structures

, careful planning is needed to limit impervious surfaces, select environmentally friendl y landscaping, construction and maintenance materials and monitor the surrounding natural environment for unintentional harm.

Biological Community Profile s

Plankton Little research has been done on plankton communities within the GTMNERR up to this point

. However, Dr. Ed ward Phlips ( University of Florida) has investigat ed phytoplankton structure, and phytoplankton bloom density and spread, an important issue related to animal and human

health. Though the focus of this research is on phytoplankton dynamics

, whole samples for phytoplankton and zooplankton enumeration and identification have been collected and preserved.

Karenia brevis

, the „red tide‟ organism, is a common, unarmored, photosynthetic dinoflagellate found year

- round throughout the Gulf of Mexi co at background concentrations of 1,000 cells per

liter or less and is occasionally found in Atlantic coastal waters

. K

. brevis produces brevetoxins that are capable of killing fish, birds, and other marine animals. Bottom

- dwellers such as groupers and gr unts are usually the first fish to die in a Florida red tide, although most fish are probably susceptible. Mortality, in terms of numbers killed and species affected, can be severe and is dependent upon factors such as bloom density and the length of time animals are exposed

to the toxins.

T here are periodic blooms on the east coast of Florida , with a bloom recently occurring in

October 2007 with in the waters of the GTMNERR . The bloom began in the coastal waters49

between the mouths of the St. Johns and Nas sau Rivers. The bloom persisted, moving south along the coast and entering both the St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlets. Cell counts as high as 5 million cells/L were recorded in the Matanzas River south of the 206 bridge (Hitchcock and Frazel, unpublished r aw data). Net community production and respiration rates from „light

- dark‟

bottle incubations of K. brevis populations revealed the „red tide‟ along Florida‟s north e ast coast

was predominantly autotrophic (P roduction > R espiration ) (Hitchcock and Frazel, u npublished

raw data)

.

Dr. James Fourqurean, with Florida International University (FIU) , and Dr. Gary Hitchcock from the University of Miami (UM)

, have assessed red tide toxins in sediments and epiphyte

communit i es, including marsh grasses and seagrasses throughout the state. Several sample sites

within the Reserve were included in the survey . The joint FIU/UM project, co

- sponsored by the

National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health

, has investigated ecological linkages between epiphyt es and K. brevis through DNA analysis.

Vegetation There are currently 580 plant species identified within the GTMNERR (Appendix A )

. The diverse plant community covers marine, littoral, estuarine, wetland and upland habitats.

Listed Species

The followin g plant species are those that are listed by the USFWS as endangered, threatened

or of special concern within the Reserve

.

The sand

- dune spurge ( Chamaesyce cumulicola ), also known as the coastal dune sandmat, is fairly common in areas where the groundcove r is discontinuous. It is low growing, as opposed to other more erect species. It blooms in spring, summer, and fall,

and is found in dune and scrub habitat.

Coastal vervain ( Glandularia maritima ) is designated as an endangered species by th e State of Flo rida. I t is a small, lavender

- flowered member of the Verbenaceae family. It

inhabits dunes and coastal ridges.

Crested c oralroot ( Hexalectris spicata ) is a small, ground

- dwelling member of the orchid family. Crested coralroot is known to inhabit calcareou s hammocks and shell middens, and it blooms in the spring and summer.

Angle pod ( Matelea gonocarpa ) is a perennial, twisting vine that is found in hammocks. Angle pod flowers have yellow or greenish

- brown petals, when it blooms during the spring and summe r.

Pygmy

- pipes ( Monotropsis odorata ) are small perennial herbs that are conspicuous for their lack of chlorophyll. They compensate by being parasitic on underground fungi

associated with tree roots.50

Prickly pear cactus ( Opuntia stricta ) is abundant wher e it can be found in undeveloped back dune areas. It blooms throughout the year, and the dark purple fruits are edible.

The g iant o rchid ( Pteroglossapsis ecristata ) inhabits dry habitats throug h out much of Florida. It is a perennial herb that may reach he ights of nearly 2 meters when blooming.

Research

A survey of the vascular flora of Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was completed and revised by volunteer botanist Jerry Harrison in September of 2005. This survey documented the presence of 489 species of vascular flora at the

R eserve. Of this number, 58 species that are non

- native (exotic) to North Florida were

recorded.

S t. Johns River Water Management District (S JRWMD ) ha s collaborat ed with the GTMNERR in the development of a guide for the GIS based photointerpretation and coding of coastal wetland communities associated with the GTMNERR. The guide is divided into three sections. The first describes the aerial photography resources, the mapping process and conventions,

and th e vegetation

classification. The second gives an

overview of community types, including illustrations, descriptions, and diagnostic

characteristics for each major vegetation community type.

The third section is a guide to the

dominant and common plant

spec ies of the coastal wetlands, including photographs, drawings, and distribution maps (Kinser et al.

2008 )

The ecology of early successional maritime forests on dredged spoil islands within the Reserve is the focus of study for Ph.D. student John Baker, fro m the University of Florida. The spoil islands were created between 1928 and 1970 from dredge material deposited during construction of the IWW . Observational studies (which were still underway at time of publication) are f ocusing on the vegetation, soils and water resources51

of these islands. The composition and abundance of the herbaceous subcanopy, and canopy vegetative communities are being sampled. Experiments are exploring the ability of spoil islands to support maritime forests and determine what envi ronmental factors are preventing trees from growing in spoil fields.

Ho et al. (2005) tested the biogeographic theory predicting that plant

- herbivore interactions are more intense at low versus high latitudes, using a site within the Reserve

as one of the low

- latitude sites. Results from the testing of hypotheses demonstrated that herbivore density is indeed higher at low versus high latitudes; and that damage to plants by herbivores is greater at low versus high latitudes. More details of the study, funde d through the Reserve‟s Graduate Research Fellowship Program are given in the description of that program under the Section on Research and Monit o ring Activities

.

The northern extent of both the red mangrove ( Rhizophora mangle ) and black mangrove ( Avicenn ia germinans ) occurs within the GTMNERR. However, changes in climate may

in turn alter the distr ibution of the red mangrove. Leitholf and Weishampel (2007) were testing the hypothesis that increasing temperatures and a reduction in the freeze frequency, wi ll result in a northward expansion of mangroves into the salt marsh zone in the GTMNERR. The goals of the project were to determine the importance of abiotic processes such as temperature and salinity on mangrove demography, and to create a computer model simulating mangrove dynamics under different climate changes and

invasion scenarios.

A study by Leitholf (2008) documented the phenology of the mangroves and the invasive Brazilian pepper ( Schinus terebinthifolius) along the northern ecotone of the specie s and

determined that temperature was a correlating factor in the growth and distribution S. terebinthifolius

.

A simulation model was also developed which focused on the establishment and competition among the three mangrove species and the invading S. te rebinthifolius . This model was run under various invasion and/or climate change scenarios to determine possible outcomes under global climate change with or without the presence of S. terebinthifolius

. It was concluded that under all scenarios of invasion, other than sea level rise as part of global climate change, S. terebinthifolius would dominate the landscape if allowed to invade and establish in areas in which it is not currently present.

It is generally believed that tidal marshes are nitrogen limite d systems and that marsh plants solely utilize the inorganic forms of nitrogen, ammonium and nitrate. Recent research has demonstrated the ability of S. alterniflora to take up dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) directly; however, DON has been neglected by s cientists and is poorly characterized in temperate salt marshes. To evaluate the existence of latitudinal gradients in the availability of dissolved organic nitrogen in S. alterniflora salt marshes along the

Atlantic coast , Mozdzer et al. (2007) sampled po rewater from 8 field sites from Maine to Florida, with the Florida site being located within the GTMNERR. By combining information on the availability and utilization of DON, Mozdzer and colleagues from the52

University of Virginia hope to create a better un derstanding of nutrient utilization within

salt marshes of the North American Atlantic coast.

The vascular flora of five Florida shell middens, including the Shell Ring at the former

Guana River State Park showed that over 95% of the flora was native spec ies (Stalter and Kincaid (2004). Calcareous soils were determined to be a major influence on spe cies distribution at such upland shell midden sites

.

Reserve scientists, along with Jacksonville University researchers are assessing the

effects of coastal st rand habitat management on existing and future invasive plant populations in the GTMNERR. The size and extent of invasive populations of exotic species such as tropical soda apple ( S olanum viarium ), Brazilian pepper ( S chinus terebinthifolius ), and Chinese tallow ( Sapium sebifer um ) is unknown and will be evaluated through vegetation surveys. The team will also assess the impact of management activities/techniques on the suppression and eradication of invasive plants, as well as the impact of vegetation contr ol on wildlife.

A study of plant colonization on dead margins in the GTM estuaries was initiated in 2008 by University of Central Florida graduate student, Shannon Segelsky (Dr. Linda Walters, advisor). Dead margins are piles of disarticulated oyster shel ls that result from boat and wind wakes. The study is examining at what elevation/tidal range dead margins are colonized by saltmarsh vegetation. Vertical profiles of reefs with and without dead margins have been carried out together with mapping/marking t he associated vegetation. This mapping will be redone periodically and all data compared to results of similar studies in Mosquito Lagoon.

A project initiated in 2009 within the GTMNERR by Christy Crace, graduate student at the University of North Florida (Dr. Daniel Moon, advisor), is examining how different insect feeding guilds react to salt

- stressed coastal plants. The project has both ecological and molecular components. The responses of six coastal plant species to induced salt

stress are being asses sed by measuring growth, leaf production, and flowering. Herbivore responses are determined by visual herbivore counts, indirect visual evidence of insects (e.g., stem boring), and sweep netting. The molecular component of the project will aid in quantifyi ng plant stress by measuring foliar nitrogen as well as the activity of certain stress enzymes; particularly catalase and superoxide dismutase. With rising sea levels, understanding the effects of salt stress in salt marsh food webs should provide

informat ion for future management of these complex systems.

Reserve staff initiated a collaboration with Dr. Nisse Goldberg (Jacksonville University) in 2009 to pilot a mangrove

- mapping strategy in the GTMNERR. The project utilizes a

GIS

- based algorithm developed by NOAA‟s Coastal Services Center for fine

- scale delineation of mangrove habitat using a supervised

- classification mapping approach. If the strategy proves successful, information generated from the project will provide important baseline maps for subsequ ent change analyses and ecological studies of

mangrove.53

Invertebrates More than 95% of the Earth's animal species are invertebrates

, and representative phyla can be

found in some form or another in all of the habitats within the Reserve. More than 500 dif f erent
invertebrates have been identified with in the Reserve; they are listed in Appendix A

. As integrators of environmental condition, the abundance, diversity, biomass and species composition of invertebrates can be useful metrics for assessing estuarine health. (USEPA 2009)

Some of the more prominent invertebrate species are discussed below.

American o yster ( Crassostrea virginica ) The American oyster occupies estuarine habitats throughout the eastern and Gulf of Mexico

coasts of the United States . The remains of shell middens in the Reserve show that t his animal

has supported a subsistence fishery for inhabitants well before the establishment of St. Augustine. In addition to its direct economic importance , the oyster also provides important

habitat for many estuarine fish and invert e brate species . In the Reserve , oysters occur along the full length of the estuary.

Limited recreational oyster and hard clam harvesting occurs within two delineated shellfish

harvest areas in the GTMNERR

. In addition, there are currently four aquaculture leases within

the Reserve for oysters and two aquaculture leases for hard clams totaling 42 acres. A brief description and maps of each of the shellfish areas, including the management status is available

online at http://www .floridaaquaculture.com/pdfmaps

.

Shellfish harvesting is managed through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services ( F DACS) Division of Aquaculture. The Department routinely monitors fecal coliform and water quality parameters at established stat ions in each of Florida's shellfish harvesting areas. Sub

surface water samples are collected and shipped overnight to a certified laboratory. The analysis for fecal coliform takes 24 hours, and numbers of bacteria are expressed in the units of Most

Probab le Number (MPN) per 100 milliliters (ml). FDACS Division of Aquaculture ( http://www.floridaaquaculture.com/seas/seas_intro.htm ).

White and b rown s hrimp ( P enaeus setiferus and P enaeus aztecus ) The white shrimp and brown shrimp are both commercially harvest ed in northeast Florida and spend part of their lifecycle s within the estuaries of the Reserve

. Both species are important in

estuarine and salt marsh environment s as they convert detritus, plant material, microorganisms, macroinvertebrates, and fish parts into useful protein for higher trophic level organ is ms.

The white shrimp is generally found in waters that are turbid , shallower, and more brackish than those in which brown shrimp are found

. The white shrimp was the first sp ecies of commercial importance in the U.S., with the fishery for this species d ating back to 1709 (Muncy 1984). Shrimp are also the most economically important fishery in Florida (Seaman 1985).

Blue c rab ( Callinectes s apidus )

B lue crab s are harvested both recreational ly and commercial ly within the Reserve using crab traps or pots as the primary method of harvest. Blue crabs spend most of their life cycle within54

estuarine habitats, although the larval stages develop in the open ocean. Young crabs will move wit h in estuaries to mid and lo w salinity water s and grow quickly. B lue crabs reach maturity and the five inch legal harvest size in one to two years.

Blue crabs play an important role in the marine and estuarine trophic system, as prey and predators. Florida pompano and other large f ish and planktivores (Steele1991) consume larval blue crabs (Murphy et al. 2001), while juvenile blue crabs are eaten by larger fish such as spotted

seatrout and red drum. The primary predators of adults include raccoon s and large wading birds.

Fiddler c r ab s (Uca sp)

Fiddler crabs are found in the intertidal zone and within salt marshes and are recognized by their square body and marked difference in size between the right and left claws of males. Two

common species of fiddler crab occur within the GTMNERR ; the Atlantic m ud fiddler

, Uca

pugnax, and the s and f

iddler, Uca pugilator

. Mud fiddlers are a brownish

- yellowish color, and prefer muddy areas, whereas s and f iddlers inhabit sandy habitats. Fiddler crabs have no directly quantifiable commercial value but constitute an important food source for marsh birds, blu e crabs and many other species (NOAA 2008).

M arsh periwinkle ( Littorina i rrorata ) The marsh periwinkle is a small gastropod that can rang e in color from dark brown to an almost

bleached white. I t i s an important component of the intertidal salt marsh community. Periwinkles may be a major participant in the decomposition of cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora , leaves through a mutualistic association with leaf fungi (Silliman and Newell 2003). Marsh per iwinkle s can serve as an indicator species of the health of salt marsh, a habitat that is critical for many species.

The marsh periwinkle is an obligate salt marsh resident for which cordgrass may be considered a

critical habitat. Individuals can be found inhabiting high

- marsh areas around freshwater seeps

and low

- marsh stems submerged in full strength seawater (greater than 25 parts per thousand). Marsh periwinkles feed on microalgae and detritus; they may also garden and consume fungal decomposers found on the surface of marsh plants (Silliman and Newell 2003).

Research

The bacteria Vibrio vulnificus is an opportunistic pathogen now recognized as the leading

cause of food

- associated deaths in Florida. Infections are most frequently contracted after

raw oyster consumption. Gordon et al. (2005) enumerated V. vulnificus in oysters and waters of the GTMNERR from a series of more than 300 isolates obtained during warm

months. Gordon et al. (2008) have since been able to develop real

- time PCR assays that

were sensitive, specific, and quantitative in water samples and could also differentiate the

Vibrio strains in oysters without requiring isolation of V. vulnificus

. The assay may therefore be useful for rapid detection of the pathogens in shellfish and water, a s well as for further investigation of its population dynamics.

Hare (2008) performed genetic analyses on adult and newly

- settled oysters collected within lagoons and near ocean inlets along the Florida coast in 2007 to assess the oyster55

as a bioindicator of population connectivity among Florida lagoons

. The no r thernmost inlet sample site was at the Whitney Lab, south of Matanzas Inlet. Genetic differentiation among reproductive adult populations enabled the inference of source populations and migration ro utes for juvenile oysters during one recruitment season. Preliminary results from the study showed patterns of connectivity between oyster population in Matanzas Inlet and Ponce Inlet, as well as connectivity between Matanzas Inlet populations and populati ons in Fort Pierce.

R esearch conducted on grazing by the marsh periwinkle, by Dr. Brian Silliman (University of Florida) (Kilheffer et al. 2006) has revealed that southeastern marshes are the product of a simple trophic cascade, where marine predators, s uch as the commercially harvested blue crab, facilitate marsh plant persistence and productivity by controlling densities of plant

- grazing snails (marsh periwinkle) . When released from top

down control, snail numbers increase and grazing by high densities of snails (whose radular activity facilitates invasion of growth

- suppressing fungi) converts lush intertidal grasslands to mudflats. These findings have major conservation implications, as they potentially link the health and function of southeast marshes to th e management of crab

fisheries.

Studies from 2003

- 2007 indicate that blue crab densities have declined precipitously (40

- 80%) in southeast estuaries (Silliman et al. 2009)

. Concomitant with this crab decline has been unprecedented marsh die

- back. Sur veys from many die

- off areas have found 300m long fronts of snails (200 0 ind./ m 2 ) consuming marsh grass at up to 100m 2 / month. Given these findings, it is possible that the cascading consumer effects shown in small

- scale experiments may already be at work in southern marshes (Silliman et al. 200 9 )

.

Th e invasive Asian green mussel ( Perna viridis ) has been documented to occur in several

locations in the Matanzas and Tolomato R iver s near St. Augustine Inlet (Baker et al. 2007)

. This invasive

bivalve competes with

oysters and other native

shellfish for habitat

, and presents the threat of significantly reducing populations of these commercially valuable

resources.

Dr. Matt hew Gilg and

other researchers at the University of North Florida are examining the

larv al green mussel

distribution in the GTM estuary and attempting to56

genetically track the source of the adult populations. Related to this work is the joint development of a tool by Peter Sheng‟s group at UF‟s Civil and Coastal Engineering Department

, along with the UF Advanced Co mputing and Information Systems Lab and SJRWMD‟s Peter Sucsy and Tim Cera, that can be used to examine how green mussel larvae would be distributed from particular spawning points in the estuary. The tool is a cyber

- infrastructure sy stem which essentially accesses appropriate data sets and computing assets over the internet through a user

- friendly interface to run a 3

- D hydrodynamic model of the GTMNERR.

The utility of dactyls for inferring evolutionary patterns were evaluated by Ag new (2007) as part of his dissertation project at Louisian a State University. Dactyls are the moveable part of the claw of the crab. Because of their high preservation potential and uses in foraging
and defense, crab dactyls are potentially excellent test subjects for an ongoing debate concerning the relative importance of top

- down (predators) and bottom

- up (prey) controls on morphologic diversification and evolution

. Both living and subfossil xanthoid crabs were sampled from the southeast U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, including intertidal

locations within the GTMNERR. S tatistically significant differences in the wear patterns between live collected crabs and those from death assemblages , indicating more wear in

the death assembl age than the livin g assemblage. It was suggested that the wear patterns are caused by shell crushing and that there may have been a fairly recent shift in the diet

of the mud cab ( Panopeus sp .)

. Wear patterns on modern Panopeus on either side of the Florida peninsula were a lso different.

This research demonstrate d that the relative influence of top

- down and bottom

- up controls on dactyl evolution can be identified by correlating dactyl morphologies with evidence of predation either by crabs (wear patterns) or on crabs (hande dness reversals and predatory fractures) using the most commonly preserved remains of living and/or

fossil taxa.

The Golden a pple s nail ( Pomacea sp .) is an invasive species that has only recently been

documented in the Reserve . Live specimens and photogra phs of adults and eggs in a retention pond have been collected near Moultrie Creek. The proximity of this population to Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve presents a serious threat to the aquatic ecosystem

there. They consume almost every submerged aquatic pl ant spe ci es in the Preserve and have a high reproductive rate. This species has become well established throughout much of south and central Florida in recent years.

Pristine Florida wildlife habitats are being lost to development and ecosystems are being threatened more than ever by human encroachment. Published accounts of Florida non

marine molluscan communities are few in number, brief, not based on strategized sampling protocol, and scattered in the scientific literature. The relatively intact natural ecosystems present within the boundaries of the northern component of the GTMNERR undoubtedly support most of the species of land, aquatic, and estuarine mollusks known to occur in northeastern Florida. No systematic survey of the n on

- marine mollusks of t he

GTMNERR has ever been undertaken. Harry G. Lee, M.D., Field Associate, Florida Museum of Natural History initiated such a survey in 2008. A total of 65 species,57

including 56 native, and 9 introduced species have been identified as of Januay 2009. ( http: //www.jaxshells.org/northeas.htm )

.

Ethan Nash, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida (Dr. Linda Walters, advisor) commenced research in 2008 to examine the associations of three non

- native species [charru mussel ( Mytella charruana ), gree n mussel ( Perna viridis ), and pink barnacle ( Megabalanus coccopoma )] with different oyster reef types in both Mosquito Lagoon and the GTM estuarine system. These studies will be complemented by field and laboratory studies of air exposure and thermal toler ance for Mytella/Perna as this relates to the ability of the mussels to invade intertidal oyster reefs.

Fish es The fish communities within the Reserve are a mixed assemblage with freshwater, estuarine and coastal marine species often coexisting together depending on salinity, temperat u re, and time of

year. A total of 303 fish species have been identified in GTMNERR habitats including

freshwater , brackish and marine waters. Recreational and commercial fishing are major activities

within the GTMNERR with most effort focused on edible game fishes. Descriptions of some of the major species are listed below.

Red d rum ( Sciaenops ocellatus )

Red d rum a re popular recreational game and food fish found in estuarine areas and nearshore

waters of the Reserve

. Red drum prefer shallow waters ( 0.5

- 1 meters deep) and are found over all bottom types. These fish are also commonly found around oyster reefs, though breaks in continuity of shorelines such as coves, points, jetties, and old pier pilings attract them. During cold spells large numbers of red drum can be found in tidal creeks and rivers. They can live in fresh water and have been found well up Pellicer Cr eek.

Spawning occurs in nearshore waters from August to November. Young red drum feed on small crabs, shrimp, and marine worms. Adults tend to feed on larger crabs, shrimp, and small fish. A stock assessment of Red Drum in Florida through 2003, showed th at angling success, as measured by total catch rates increased in 2003, reversing a downward trend seen since the mi d to late 1990‟s (Murphy 2005).

Black d rum ( Pogonias cromis )

The b lack d rum is a member of the croaker family and is related to both , red d rum, and spotted seatrout. A characteristic of this family of fish is the ability to produce croaking or drumming sounds with the air bladder, which is the reason for the common names croaker and drum. This ability is most developed in the black drum and a nglers can sometime s hear sounds from schools passing near their boats. Black drum, the largest members of the family Sciaenidae, can reach

over 46 inches (116 cm) and 120 pounds (54 kg) . Long

- lived fish, black drum can reach almost 60 years of age (FWC 20 06a)

.

Drum are found in a wide range of habitats in the Reserve, from right at the water‟s edge along the coast, to the deepest holes (> 21 m ) in the IWW near St. Augustine. Young drum feed on

marine worms, small shrimp, crabs and small fish. Larger drum e at small crabs, worms, algae,

small fish and mollusks. Barbels under the lower jaw are used to find food by feel and smell.58

Drum often dig or root out buried mollusks and worms while feeding in a head

- down position.

The black drum has no canine teeth like those of the spotted seatrout, but does have highly developed pharyngeal teeth, which are used to crush mollusks and crabs before swallowing (T exas Wildlife and Parks Department (T WPD 2007) )

.

Spotted seatrout ( Cynoscion nebulosus ) Spotted seatrout range t hroughout Florida‟s bays and coastal waters. In northeast Florida adult spotted seatrout are found over a wide range of estuarine habitats. Th ey are common around oyster reefs , in deep holes, on sand bottom, and in areas where structure exists

.

Maximum ag es reached in Florida are 9 years for males and 8 years for females. Spotted seatrout first spawn between 0 and 2 years old and 11.8

– 15.7 inches (5.34

- 7.11 cm) total length (TL). Spawning occurs within estuaries and in nearshore waters during spring, summe r, and fall. The diet of juvenile seatrout (< 1.2 inches (0.54 cm) T L) includes am phipods and other small

crustaceans

. Larger juveniles and adults feed primarily on shrimp and a variety of finfishes, including other young spotted seatrout ( F WC 200 7 a )

.

Flo under ( Paralichthys sp .) Nearly all flounders landed by anglers in Florida are one of three species in the genus Paralichthys : gulf flounder P. albigutta; southern flounder, P. lethostigma ; or summer flounder,

P. dentatus . All three species occur within th e waters of the GTMNERR. The distributions of gulf and southern flounder appear to be substrate

- related. Southern flounder are found on silt and mud, and gulf flounder are found mostly on sand. Female southern flounder mature at age 3 or 4

, and female gulf flounder mature at age 1

. Both species spawn in offshore waters during late fall

– winter (65 ft

– 200 ft) (20

- 60m)

. Gulf flounders are benthic carnivores. Large juveniles feed primarily on small fish and crustaceans (shrimp and crabs). Adults feed on schooli ng fish such as menhaden, bay anchovy, pinfish, grunts, pigfish, Atlantic croaker, and mullet (FWC 2006 b )

Striped m ullet ( Mugil cephalus ) Striped mullet, are perhaps the most widespread and abundant inshore teleost (Odum 1970). They are an ecological ly im portant component i n the flow of energy through estuarine

communities and occur in both the estuaries and nearshore coastal waters of the Reserve

.

Diet and feeding behavior of juvenile and adult striped mullet may vary by location, but they primarily fee d on epiphytic and benthic microalgae, macrophyte detritus, or inorganic sediment particles. Sediment particles function as a grinding paste in the gizzard

- like pyloric portion of the stomach (Odum 1970). Larval and post

- larval mullet feed on zooplankton ( Nash et al. 1974)

. The major predators of juvenile and adult mullet are fishes and birds (Thomson 1963). Among fishes, spotted seatrout, red drum, hardhead catfish, and southern flounder will prey on mullet in

the Reserve. Wading birds also prey on mullet

Striped mullet is one of the most important inshore finfish fisheries in Florida as both a food fish and for roe exported overseas. In 2004, commercial landings of striped mullet (7 .6 million pounds) (3.4 million kg) constituted fourteen percent of total finfish landings (53 million pounds) (24 million kg) and eight percent of total commercial finfish dockside dollar value (Mahmoudi 2005)

.59

Sheepshead (

Archosargus probatocephalus ) Sheepshead range from Nova Scotia south to Mexico‟s Campeche Bank and are found in estuarine waters throughout the Reserve. They are often found around oyster bars, seawalls,

docks and in tidal creeks. Sheepshead move offshore in schools to spawn following the onset of

cool weather . They return to inshore waters in the spring af ter spawning.

Adult sheepshead typically feed on algae

, blue crab, young oysters, clams, crustaceans, and small fish. Florida landings of sheepshead were 3 .3 million pounds (1.5 million kg) in 2005, out of which the recreational fishery represented about 90% (FWC 2006 c ).

Mummichog ( Fundulus heteroclitus ) The mummichog or killifish is an abundant Atlantic Coast fish ranging from the Matanzas River to Newfoundland, Canada. They are particularly important in marsh food chains because of their

distribution a nd abundance (Abraham 1985). Mummichogs are considerd to be instrumental in the movement of organic material within and out of saltmarsh ecosystems (Knieb et al. 1980).

For over 100 years the mummichog has been a popular experimental organism for a wide a rray of scientific studies (Feder 1987). Mummichogs from the Matanzas River have been used extensively as a model organism for reproductive and other physiological studies by researchers at UF‟s Whitney Lab, including the studies of Lin et al. ( 2004 ), Petr ino and Wallace (1992), and

Calman et al. (2001)

.

Research

Monthly f

isheries surveys

, initiated in 2001

, were conducted to establish baseline data on juvenile estuarine fish spatial and temporal distribution patterns. The study area included

the bar

- buil t estuaries ranging from just north of St. Augustine within the Reserve, south to Ponce Inlet (Turtora and Schotman 2006)

.

The study has provided thorough baseline information on the species of fish associated

with different estuarine habitats in the ar ea throughout the year, and hence has yielded crucial data for more effectively managing coastal fisheries. Specifically, t he work completed thus far indicates that the

Tomoka area and areas north of the St. Augustine Inlet are the mainstem

IWW nursery are as. Both areas are characterized by l ow salinity, low

current velocity, and small substrate grain

- size . The Matanzas River was not shown to be a nursery area due

to the proximity of inlets

. October was typically the b eginning of juvenile recruitment for

Mi cropogonias undulatus as they were collected throughout the basin60

“all at once” (Turtora 2008)

.

Studies by Clarke (2006) and (Juanes et al. 2007) of the winter ecology of young

- of

- the

year (YOY) bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) e valuated recruitment in the Matanzas River Estuary during the winters of 2002

- 2004. Three distinct intra

- annual cohorts of YOY fish were shown to be present

. An analysis of f irst year sampling data indicated higher

bluefish abundance in sand habitats where an abundance of mullet were present. Second year results were more variable. Results from the study demonstrate the use of the Matanzas River estuary by bluefish during the winter. This may be a mechanism for maximizing survival a nd increasing the overall stock biomass

.

A related p roject is now underway using experimental fish trawls offshore at selective depth strata. Th is new project is being completed by graduate student David Stormer,

under the direction of Dr. Francis Juanes at the University of Massachusetts.

The ovaries of f

emale Fundulus heteroclitus living in the northeastern Florida saltmarsh (within the GTMNERR) recrudesce in January and the fish initially spawn heavily during the subsequent full moons (a lunar pattern); they later spawn with less intensity during

both th e new and full moons (a semilunar pattern), and then regress in late September. In studying the reproductive cycling in female Fundulus heteroclitus in the laboratory,

r esearchers at UF‟s Whitney Laboratory disc o vered that these fish apparently select the higher of the two semidiurnal tides for spawning, regardless of the daily light

- dark cycle (Hsiao et al. 1994).

Reptiles and Amphibians

A n array of reptile and amphibian communities exists in the Reserve, the location and

distribution of which are primar ily controlled by habitat type and proximity to water

. The survey of species in the Reserve ( Appendix A )

lists eighteen species of turtles and

tortoises

, twenty snakes, eight lizards, eighteen different fr ogs and toads, two
sal a manders, the g reater siren ( Sirenia

lacertina ), the endangered striped newt ( Notophthalmus perstriatus ), and the

American a lligator (

Alligator mississippiensis ). Four of the twenty listed snake species are venomous, including the Florida cottonmouth ( Agkistrodon pi s civorus conant )

, E astern diamondback rattlesnake ( Crotalus adamentius ) , pygmy rattlesnake ( Sistrurus miliarius

barbouri ) , and the coral snake ( Micruru s fulvius ).

The Reserve has several listed and/or endangered species of reptiles and amphibians that are

discussed below.61

Sea t urtles Three listed species of sea turtles: the loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ), the leatherback ( Dermochelys coriac e a ) and the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) utilize the sandy beach between the high tide line and the base of the Reserve‟s beach dunes for nesting. The nesting season generally occur s between May and October. Florida statewide nesting beach survey data for the

2006 s eason (FWRI: http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=11812 ) shows 205 loggerhead nests and 10 green turtle nests in St. Johns County

. Of those, a total of 101 nests

occurred within the Reserve. There were no reported leatherback nests in 2006

.

An updated analysis of Florida‟s long

- term loggerhead sea turtle nesting data, carried out as part

of the FWC Index Nestin g Beach Survey, reveals a continuing decline in loggerhead nest

numbers around the st ate. Nest counts have decreased nearly 50 % from 1998 to 2007. In contrast, nest counts for green turtles and leatherbacks are increasing. A record number of nests

of thes e two species were recorded during the 2007 season ( http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=27537 )

.

Gopher t ortoise The gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ), a keystone species and a species listed as threatened, lives in s andy habitats in the Reserve

. A keystone species is one whose very presence contributes to a diversity of life and whose extinction would consequently lead to impacts o n other forms of life. They have been designated a keystone species because its burrows provide refuge t o hundreds of other species, including opossums, rabbits, gopher frogs, Florida mice, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and gopher crickets (FWC 2007b)

.

The p rime sandhill habitats within the Reserve are open areas with abundant food and relatively deep, s andy soils for burrowing

, and sunny spots for laying eggs. The long, burrows they dig offer refuge from cold, heat, drought, forest fires and predators. The record burrow was over 47

feet (14 meters) long. They feed on low

- growing plants like wiregrass, br oadleaf grasses, and legumes

. They also eat pri ckly pear cactus, blackberries , and other seasonal fruits.

In 2006, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission agreed that reclassification of the gopher tortoise from Species of Special Concern to Threatened i s warranted

. The change in status is pending ( http://myfwc.com/imperiledspecies/petitions/gopher

- tortoise.htm )

. Reserve v olunteers

conduct biennial Gopher Tortoise Burrow Surveys which are described in detail in Section V.

Indigo snake

The Eastern i ndigo s nake ( Drymarchon corais couperi ) is listed as threatened by both FWC and

USFWS . It is the largest nonvenomous snake in North America. Individuals have been measured from six to eight and half feet (1.8 to 2.6 meters) long. Unlike the color indigo or indig o buntings, this snake is much more black than blue. It has smooth, shiny scales and a reddish chin and throat. The young are lighter in color and have a faint banded pattern. It readily moves through a variety of habitats, especially those that border mar shes and swamps, in search of prey such as birds, young turtles, frogs, and other snakes, including rattlesnakes. The i ndigo has been reported in the area of the GRMAP

.62

Striped newt

The s triped newt ( Notophthalmus perstriatus ) in Florida is reported to re side in xeric hammocks, scrubby flatwoods, sandhills, and scrub habitats and breed in isolated wetlands (Christman and Means 1992). A unique coastal population of striped newt occurs within the depression marsh

and interdunal swale wetlands of the Reserve‟ s interior. This population is the only barrier island assemblage known throughout its range (Johnson and Owen, in preparation) . Reserve staff

members have established a striped newt monitoring program which is discussed in Section 5. During the 2007 surve y one newt was identified in the GRWMA.

Research

There are two concurrent sea turtle nesting survey programs currently operating in Florida; t he State Survey Nesting Beach and the Index Nesting Beach P rograms. The goal of the Index Beach program is to u se identical protocol s for gather ing detailed information to assess trends and to compare beaches. The State Survey Nesting Beaches program maximizes temporal and geographic surveillance of nesting activities but the effort varies among years and among bea ches, and there is variation in survey frequency.

GTMNERR Stewardship Staff are the primary permit holders for Marine Turtle Permit #140, in cooperation with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the

northern area of the Reserve . The permit authorizes specific GTMNERR staff and volunteers to conduct daily activities related to nest monitoring, stranding and salvage

incidents of sea turtles on these beaches. Surveys are conducted at sunrise from May 15 th
through August 31 st

.

An initia l comprehensive gopher tortoise survey of the Guana Peninsula was completed by GTMNERR staff and volunteers during April to July 2005. The survey identified

more 260 active burrows

.

A study of gopher tortoises on small islands near St. Augustine was condu cted by Dana

Ehret (University of Florida) that could reveal whether displaced colonies can be successfully relocated to similar sites in Florida and other states. The UF study focuses on gopher tortoise popu lations on five small islands along the IWW

.

Bi rds The varied habitats of the Reserve support over 250 species of birds, ranging from hummingbirds to wild turkeys. The Reserve also serves as an important habitat for migrating species of birds and serves as a critical feeding and resting location along the North American Atlantic flyway.

Listed bird species found in the GTMNERR

, include the brown pelican ( Pelecanus occidentalis ), little blue heron ( Egretta caerulea ), Louisiana heron ( Egretta tricolor ), snowy egret ( Egretta thula ), reddish egret ( Egrett

a rufescens ), limpkin (

Aramus guarauna ), American oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliates ), least tern ( Sterna antillarum ), bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) , wood stork ( Mycteria americana ), p eregrine f alcon (Falco peregrinus), American k estrel ( Falco

spa rverius ) and r oseate spoonbill ( Ajaja ajaja )

.63

The USFWS is the principal Federal agency charged with protecting and enhancing the populations and habitat of more than 800 species of birds that spend all or part of their lives in

the United States. Brief d escriptions of the listed species within the Reserve, provided below, are extracted from species accounts provided on the USFWS Web site at http://www.fws.gov/species/#birds , and from the FWC Web site at http://myfwc.com/Viewing/species /

.

Brown pelican ( P elecanus occidentalis ) The brown pelican, also called American brown pelican or common pelican, inhabits the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts of North and South America. Brown pelicans can be seen both in the estuaries, as well as along the Atlantic shor eline throughout the Reserve. Pelicans are primarily fish

- eaters, with a diet consisting mainly of small fis h such as menhaden and

silversides

.

Egg

- laying in eastern brown pelicans generally happens from December through February. Brown pelicans breed in colonies, mostly on small islands along the Intracoastal Waterway. Pelicans pair up for one year, and both help brood and rear the young, which fledge in about 76 days. In 2002 the estimated population of eastern brown pelicans in Florida was 25,600

- 32, 000.

Little blue heron ( Egretta caerulea ) Little blue herons stand roughly 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall and appear dark bluish overall . They feed

in the e stuaries and saltwater and freshwater marshes throughout the Reserve. Herons feed on small amphibians

, sm all fish

, crustaceans

, and insects.

Louisiana heron ( Egretta tricolor The Louisiana heron, also called t he tricolored h eron, stand about twenty

- six inches (0.6 meters) tall. They are long, slim, with notably long legs, neck, and bill. Louisiana herons pre fer wetlands with low vegetation and shallow water, as deep as seven inches (17 centimeters) , suitable for wading up to their chests. They feed on small fish like topminnows, which together c omprise

almost 90% of the diet (Hancock and Elliot 1978).

Snowy egret ( Egretta thula ) The snowy e gret is one of the most familiar herons, delicately built, with snowy white feathers, black legs, and bright yellow feet. The snowy e gret's diet is composed primarily of fish and crustaceans, bu t also includes snails, snake s , and both aquatic and terrestrial insects.

Reddish egret ( Egretta rufescens )

T he reddish e gret is the rarest and least well

- known of the North American herons and is on ly rarely seen within the Reserve

. Smal l fish such as minnows make up the bulk of thi s wading

bird's diet.

Limpkin ( Aramus guarauna ) The limpkin resembles a rail but stands taller, has a longer neck and is distinguished by its dark brown feathers flecked with white, which give it a spotted appearance. Limpkins occur throughout the Reserv e and can be observed walking through shallow water, where it uses sight64

and touch to search for apple snails, mussels, worms and insects. The sharp and twisted end of its curved bill fits perfectly into a s nail shell, allowing the limpkin to deftly extrac t the mollusk.

American oystercatcher ( Haematopus palliates ) The American oystercatcher is one of the largest and heaviest of American shorebirds, easily identified by dark

- brown wings, and black head, with a bright red bill. Oystercatchers get their

name from their habit of snatching oysters from slightly open shells. They also use their powerful bills to open mollusks and to sort through heavy shells in search of food.

Oystercatcher s are periodically seen on sandbars and mudflats within the Reserve estu aries, as well as along the beaches.

Least tern ( Sterna antillarum )

The l east tern is a migratory bird that returns to the Reserve from wintering grounds in Latin America during April and May. The least tern has long, pointed wings and a deeply forked tai l. It is the smallest of our terns, and bears outer wing feathers that edge the light

- gray wings in black. The breeding adult is gray above, white below, with a black cap.

The Reserve‟s beach habitats provide nesting si tes for the threatened l east tern

. T he shorebirds nest in very shallow depressions on broad expanses of bare sand, which camouflage the eggs.

N esting areas along the Reserve‟s beaches are posted to alert people using the beach of this important habitat.

Data collected for 2005 from voluntee r monitoring (discussed in Section V) identified an average

of 63 l east t ern adults at the nesting site, with a peak of 82 adults during the height if the nesting season. The nest site was located on the beach approximately three quarters of a mile south o f the GTMNERR south parking area. The survey group counted 30 actual nesting pairs during the

season.

Bald eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus )

Bald eagles, officially declared the National Emblem of the United States by the Second Continental Congress in 178 2, are distinctive large dark brown birds with a white head and tail, and yellow eyes, bill and feet. Southern bald eagles , which occur i n the Reserve, are considerably smaller than their northern counterparts. Juvenile eagles are chocolate brown, but

with varying degrees of mottled white on their tails, bellies and wing linings. It is not until their fourth year that the birds acquire the white head and tail feathers identifying them as adults. The principal food for bald eagles is fish, which the birds se ize by using their strong talons to take their prey from the water. Ducks, coots and other water birds also are major food sources for eagles, as well as small animals, reptiles and carrion.

Once bald eagles mate, they form long

- term pair bonds that can p ersist for many years. If one member of the pair dies the surviving partner will select a new mate. In Florida, eagles mate in the winter, laying their eggs between late November and early February.

There are several active bald eagle nests within the Res erve. One active bald eagle nest across the Guana River from the EEC has been monitored by Reserve volunteers since 2005. Two65

c hicks were successfully fledged in 2006, and one chick was fledged in 2007. Bald eagle monitoring throughout the Reserve is discu ssed in the Section on Monitoring Activities

.

Wood stork (

Mycteria americana ) The wood stork is the largest wading bird native to America. It is white with black flight feathers, distinctive because of its dark, featherless head (down to the upper neck) a nd thick,

down

- curved bill. Wood storks fly with neck and legs extended, interrupting strong wing beats with brief glides.

Wood storks forage, or feed in drying wetlands, which concentrate prey. They usually feed within 16 miles of their colony but often fly great distances in search of feeding grounds,

sometimes as much as 60

- 80 miles. One breeding colony occurs at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, from which individuals fly throughout the Reserve in search of prey.

Peregrine f

alcon ( Falco peregrinus )

Pe regrine falcons don't breed in Florida, but are regularly spotted along the coastal shorelines

and wetlands of the Reserve during spring and fall migrations as they move between northern breeding grounds and wintering areas in Central and South America.

T he peregrine falcon is distinguished by its typical falcon silhouette

- long, pointed wings and long thin tail

- and by the dark feathers on its head and nape, which resemble a hood or helmet. A distinctive black wedge extends below the eye. Falcons prey o n doves, shorebirds and ducks.

American k estrel ( Falco sparverius ) The kestrel is the smallest and most common of the falcons. Two subspecies of American kestrel ( Falco sparverius ) occur in Florida: a northern subspecies ( Falco sparverius sparverius ) that winters here between September and April, and a resident, non

- migratory subspecies, the southeastern American kestrel ( Falco sparverius paulus ). Kestrels seen in Florida during May

June are resident so utheastern American kestrels.

American kestrels often perch on telephone wires at the edge of a field or other open area. From this vantage they hunt for insects (especially grass

- hoppers and dragonfli es), lizards and small

mammals.

Roseate spoonbill (

Ajaja ajaja )

The r oseate spoonbill is easily identified by the luminous pale pink plumage with red highlights

and the long bill with the spoon shaped tip. The spoon

- shaped ( spatulate ) bill of this species has sensitive nerve endings that help the spoonbill detect prey. As it sweeps the bill from side to side

th rough shallow water, the spoonbill encounters

, captures and swallow s small fish, shrimp, crayfish, fi ddler crabs and aquatic insects

.

Mammals Mammals fill a wide range of ecological roles within the terrestrial, freshwater and marine

habitats of the Res erve

. A total of forty

- five species of mammals have been identifie d within the Reserve (Appendix A ), five of which are non

- native species. Terrestrial h erbivores such as66

rodents and deer are prey to raccoons, foxes and bobcats. Omnivores such as moles, shr ews, opossums, and bears feed on a wide variety of plant and animal matter and some can function as both predator and prey . T he endangered West Indian m anatee is the l argest herbivore as well as

the largest mammal found in the estuarine and freshwater area s of the Reserve.

Below are descriptions of listed mammal species within the Reserve.

North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ) The right whale is the most endangered of the world‟s large whales , with between 300 and 350

animals known to exist (A merican Cetacean Society 2009) . The right whale winter calving area in Florida's coastal waters is officially recognized as part of a critical habitat. Due to their coastal nature, right whales are often visible from the beach

, and are often seen seaward o f the Reserve

.

Identifying characteristics of right whales include no dorsal fin, and a V

- shaped blow when it exhales. They typically have white, raised patches of skin on the head called callosities. They have short black flippers on both side s of the b ody and a triangular tail with a deep notch in the

middle. Adult whales can be 50

- 60 feet (15

- 18 meters) in length and weigh 55 tons (50,000 kg)

. Both the Marine Resource Council and FWRI maintain monitoring and research programs on the right whale. The FW RI right whale research program is discussed under the Research section

below.

Humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeanglinae )

The endangered humpback whale also migrates through northeast Florida coastal waters and is periodically observed offshore of the Rese rve. The humpback has a bulky head with bumpy67

protuberances (tubercles), each with a bristle. The name humpback describes the motion it makes as it arches its back out of the water in preparation for a dive. Humpbacks also have huge, mottled white flippers with rough edges that are up to one

- third of its body length; these are the largest flippers of any whale.

Humpbacks have a small dorsal fin toward the flukes and grow to be about 52 feet (17 meters) long, weighing 3 5

- 50 tons (31,000

- 45,000 kg) (Marine M ammal Center 2002)

.

Anastasia Island beach mouse ( Peromyscus polionotus phasma )

T he Anastasia Island beach mouse is listed as an endangered species, and is restricted to Anastasia Island and an introduced population with in the beach dunes of the northern component
of the Reserve. This subspecies historically occupied about 50 linear miles of beach habitat. In 1992, the USFWS funded the translocation of 28 males and 27 females from Anastasia Island to
the Reserve (USFWS 1993)

. However, t he population numbe rs at the Reserve‟s beach dunes remain very low. Quarterly monitoring at both Anastasia State Park and GTMNERR are discussed in the Section on Monitoring Activities

.

West Indian manatee ( Trichechus manatus latirostris ) Manatees are large, somewhat seal

- s haped gray to brown mammals with flat, rounded tails. Adults are typically about 9 to 10 feet (3

- 3.5 meters) long and weigh around 1,000 pounds (453 kg) . They are herbivores, spend ing up to eight hours a day grazing on seagrasses and other aquatic plants

. A manatee can consume up to 2 0 % of its body weight in aquatic vegetation daily (Zieman 1982)

. The manatee uses its muscular lips to tear plants much l ike an elephant uses its

trunk.

Manatees are occasionally observed in the vicinity of both Guana River an d Pellicer Creek during their seasonal migrations along the IWW . They also use the Tolomato and Matanzas River estuaries, and seem to congregate on the mainland side of the estuary.

Florida black bear ( Ursus americanus floridanus )

The black bear is the l argest native terrestrial animal in Florida, and is in danger of becoming

extinct because of extensive habitat loss (FNAI 2001) . They prefer forested areas with dense understory vegetation and swampy areas, such as within t he Twelve Mile Swamp and Snowden Bay drainage basins

, within the Reserve

. Florida black b ears are one of three distinct subspecies of the American black bear recognized in the southeastern United States. They are large, powerful mammals weighting up to 600 pounds (182 kg)

, with rounded ea rs, short tails, five

toed feet, and large canine teeth. Though they travel with a slow

- shuffling gait, they can run up

to 30 miles an hour (48 km/hr) , and w ith their stout, heav ily

- curved claws, climb trees exceptionally well

.

Black bears are omnivorous

, mostly consuming tubers, bulbs, berries, nuts, and young shoots

. The food items eaten most often and in the greatest volumes are seasonally available fruits and

colonial insects (Schaefer and Sargent 1990)

.68

Research

From December through March, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) researchers fly aerial surveys to locate right whale mothers as they migrate to the warm protected waters off Florida and Georgia to have their calves. Approximately 60 surveys are flown each calving season; each surv ey lasts approximately six hours. Surveys are flown in a small, twin

- engine plane at an altitude of 1000 feet (300 meters) to distances of up to 30

miles (48 km) offshore. The primary mission of these surveys is to locate right whales within and adjacent t o the Southeast Critical Habitat and pass that information on to

mariners.

Researchers at FWRI use the following methods to keep track of whales:

Each right whale that is located is photographed by the aerial survey team. The photo is then compared to the photo catalog of right whales. Each right whale has a page with a collection of photographs and a unique number or

name. The photo is then matched to a whale in the photo catalog. The information is added to the individual sighting history.

The ability to identify individual whales allows researchers to collect an entire life history of each right whale and to track their movements and associations with other whales. In the 1980s, photo

- ID allowed researchers to determine that the whales sighted in norther n areas, such as Cape Cod Bay, the Bay of Fundy, and the Great South Channel, were the same whales migrating to the waters of Florida to have their offspring. ( http://research.myfwc.c om/features/view_article.asp?id=7511 )

The Marineland Right Whale Project begun in 2001 includes about 200 volunteers that search for and sight right whales along the coastline from the St. Augustine to Ponce Inlets. The purpose of the project is to supple ment the observational capabilities of aerial

surveys . The Project also utilizes an AirCam, a twin

- engine, slow

- flight aircraft developed for National Geographic wildlife surveys, for both aerial surveys and sighting/photo responses. The monitoring effort is coordinated by Dr. Jim Hain (Associated Scientists of Woods Hole) and Joy Hampp (Marineland).69 

### RESEARCH AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES

One of the primary objectives of the ecosystem science program at the GTMNERR is to promote research and monitoring within and adjacent to the R eserve

. To date, much of this has been accomplished by both Reserve staff and by facilitating and/or collaborating with outside investigators from universities, government agencies, and private institutions. The benefits of encouragin g outside investigations include high quality research, a broad range of expertise, interdisciplinary approaches, potential participation of graduate and undergraduate students and volunteers and a wide range of funding sources that may otherwise be unavai lable through

NOAA or the FDEP. Hence

, the work has included a very diverse array of studies (e.g., ranging from the development of molecular probes to hydrodynamic modeling) that have significantly contributed to our baseline information and insights on t he complex structure and dynamics of natural processes in the GTM estuarin e system. These studies have provided an important foundation for the development of the current GTM Research Reserve‟s Management plan, through which future research and monitoring efforts will be guided.

Research facilities

The main facility is the E nvironmental E ducation C enter (EEC)

, located off State Road A1A in

Ponte Vedra Beach. The 21, 282 square foot building contains a 250 person auditorium, office

space, classrooms

, a 30 s tudent teaching l aboratory designed for hands

- on study of the

environment , as well as a separate laboratory prep area . The facility also houses 2,000 sq ft of

static and interactive environmental exhibits , interpretive exhibits, aquar iums, a n ature s tore a nd

an outdoor amphitheater overlooking the Guana River

.

The EEC houses a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resource center with ArcInfo access. A Hewlett Packard Model 800 plotter is available for mapping needs. There i s a separate working lab for visi tin g scientist s and Reserve staff, as well as a locker room and shower

facilities

. A separate aquarium room is available for research purposes, although running

seawater is not available.

The GTM Research Reserve's office in Marineland includes a classroo m/meeting room with full audio/visual equipment, a resource library, a 23 foot Carolina Skiff for research and educational

use
, and an a djoining field station. The field station includes a small laboratory used to support research and monitoring effort s by Reserve staff and visiting investigators. In addition to the

work and storage space of the laboratory, lockers and a restroom/shower are also part of this facility. Adjacent sleeping quarters wit h a restroom/shower, small refrigerator and a microwave

are available for researche r s, students and educators

. The Reserve‟s office at Marineland is in

close proximity to the Marineland Oceanarium, River to Sea Preserve and the University of Florida‟s Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience.

The laboratory facili ties at both Reserve offices have dissecting scopes, refrigeration, freezers,

and fume hoods . Both facilities also have network ed PC computers linked to the internet via an
F DEP server

.70

Ancillary Facilities The Reserve estuaries are easily accessible t o several universities and community colleges in the region including the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, and Community College of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Flagler College in St. Aug ustine, St. Johns River Community College in Palatka and Daytona Beach Community College in Daytona Beach. The institutons having facilities and programs of direct

relevance to the GTMNERR are described below.

Jacksonville University (JU) is a co

- educatio nal, private institution located on 198 acres adjacent to the St. Johns River. In addition to laboratories and classrooms, the university houses an extensive vertebrate and invertebrate collection, the Maggie Wheldon Shell Collection, a fossil

collection a nd herbarium concentrating on the flora of the southeast. Analytical laboratory computer facilities and small vessels for research are available.

JU has also established a new Marine Science Research Institute (MSRI) on the banks of the St.

Johns River. T he completed MSRI will house the St. Johns Riverkeeper office, along with the

FWC , Northeast Florida Fisheries Laboratory, the JU Sailing Program and a new high school marine education program in conjunction with Duval County Public Schools.

The Universit y of North Florida is a four

- year college in the State University System. Several faculty and students in the Department of Biology have conducted research within the GTMNERR, and this activity should be further advanced by the department‟s recently

establ ished Master‟s Degree Program in Biology. Laboratory facilities, several small research vessels and field equipment are available for research. Faculty from the University of North Florida‟s College of Computing, Engineering and Construction have also been active in the

Reserve

, developing experimental telemetry systems for transmitting environmental data. Environmental research is expanding at the University as reflected by the recent establishment of a flagship Coastal Biology Program and the Taylor Engin eering Research Institute.

The University o f Florida (UF), l ocated in Gainesville, has many collegiate, departmental and interdisciplinary programs in education and research in oceanography and marine related fields. Special marine

- related facilities incl ude; the Coastal Engineering Laboratory with wind and wave tank, model slabs, wave generators, automatic tide level generator, sand tracer laboratory and extensive field and remote sensing equipment; The Florida Museum of Natural History with

research coll ections of fish, birds, mollusks and mammals; the Coastal Engineering Archives, which provides information on beach erosion, coastal protection and historical shoreline changes

in Florida. UF operates a fully certified QA/QC Nutrient Lab, under the directi on of Dr. Ed ward Phlips, through which nutrient samples from both the GTMNERR and the Appalachicola NERR are processed.

UF also maintains an extensive research program through the Whitney Laboratory for Marine

Bioscience located at Marineland. Located nea r the Matanzas Inlet on the border of St. Johns and Flagler Counties, the laboratory presently occupies five acres, with over 20,500 square feet of laboratory and office space. Extensive aquaria, holding tanks and an excellent sea water system

can support a variety of marine life studies. Housing is available for visiting scientists and71

graduate students. Whitney Laboratory facilities were recently expanded with the opening of a 17,000 square foot Center for Marine Studies.

SJRWMD provides the scientific, technical, and regulatory support required to identify and assess habitat and biological resources deemed critical to the ecological integrity of the NCB system which includes the GTMNERR. The District ‟s l aboratory support services, headquartered

in Palat ka, Florida include i n

- house water quality analysis , logistical support for field sample and data collection, and quality assurance.

The District maintains an extensive GIS database, containing districtwide data layers that are managed by staff in the De partment of Information Resources (IR), and project

- specific data layers managed jointly by project and IR staff.

GTMNERR Monitoring A ctivities

Water Quality Monitoring The GTMNERR participates in the System

- wide Monitoring Program (SWMP), described

prev iously in the s ection on Water Quality which provides standardized data on national estuarine environmental trends while allowing the flexibility to assess coastal management issue s of regional or local concern. T he principal mission of the SWMP is to deve lop quantitative

measurements of short

- term variability and long

- term changes in the integrity and biodiversity of representative estuarine ecosystems and coastal watersheds for the purposes of contributing to effective coastal zone management. The program is designed to enhance the value and vision of

the R eserves as a syste m of national references sites.

Coastal Strand Transect Monitoring Coastal strand is found on storm deposited ridges of sand, shell, and debris that parallel the shore

behind the dune ridge. This community exists only on the east coast of Florida, and the northern

component of the GTMNERR contains 595 acres of this habitat. The goal of the monitoring program is to utilize vegetation surveys to monitor changes through time of species oc currence, dominance, and composition. A series of 4 transects located just north of the GTMNERR Guana River entrance are sampled every April by Reserve volunteers. The transects are located in the field of view of permanent photopoints to provide supplemen tal data to the transect survey. Data recorded along each transect include species occurrence, percent cover of each species, and average height of the canopy and midstory species.

Vegetation Plot Monitoring The vegetation plot monitoring program is inten ded to provide quantitative data to monitor the effects of the prescribed fire program at the Reserve. The monitoring program is designed to document the response of vegetation to prescribed fire through the analysis of species composition and species perc ent cover. The goal is to understand the vegetative composition changes of each community when fire is re

- introduced to each of 4 target areas. The general schedule of monitoring is for Reserve volunteers to sample each plot during April. Data recorded

wit hin each plot include species occurrence, percent cover of each species, and average height of shrub and tree species.72

Dune Transect Monitoring Dune vegetation on the Reserve beaches is defined as those plant communities found on the

stretch of land betwe en the Atlantic Ocean and U.S. Highway A1A. The goal of this program is to monitor changes through time of species occurrence, dominance, and composition. The schedule of monitoring is for Reserve volunteers to sample six line transects during April. Data recorded within each plot include species occurrence, percent cover of each species, and average height of shrub and tree species using the line intercept method. The transects are permanently located concurrent with survey areas for the Anastasia Island b each mouse.

Prickly Pear ( Opuntia sp .) Population Monitoring Reserve staff are monitoring the population of prickly pear cactus and assessing the impacts of the exotic invasive cactus moth ( Cactoblastis cactorum ) on the population contained in the beach

d une strand. Goals of the monitoring are to quantify the numbers of active and previously infested plants, assess the ecological impact to other species in the beach dune system if the majority of cacti are destroyed, and to consider the implementation of c ontrol eradication

measures.

Laurel Wilt Monitoring Laurel wilt is a deadly disease of redbay ( Persea borbonia ) and other tree species in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). The disease is caused by a fungus ( Raffaelea sp.) that is introduced into host

trees b y a non

- native insect, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus ). The fungus plugs

the water

- conducting cells of an affected tree and causes it to wilt. Laurel wilt has caused widespread and severe levels of redbay mortality in the Southeastern coas tal plain. Reserve staff

members are monitoring the rate of spread of the disease and will be assessing the impacts on the Reserve ecosystem if the species disappears. Reserve staff are also monitoring for possible genetic resistance to the effects of the fungus ( Raffaelea sp.) with UF and FDOF researchers.

Prescribed Burning Photo

- point Monitoring Permanent photo

- points have been established at each of the burn units within the northern

component of the Reserve to monitor the progress of the Reserve‟s pre scribed fire program. Images at each unit are acquired every six months and analyzed to track the community response to the prescribed burn cycle for each unit. Five photo

- points have been established to date.

Butterfly Biodiversity Census

Reserve volunte ers undertake the annual butterfly biodiversity census in conjunction with the Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network. Butterflies are excellent indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem health . The monitoring of adult butterflies is possible as adults of mos t species are relatively easy to identify and species may be observed in a variety of habitats. Except for some migrant species, the presence of adult butterflies also shows that all other life stages were successfully achieved in the area.

Exotic Crab Mo nitoring

T he GTMNERR was one of nine NERRs involved in a pilot study to detect exotic (non

indigenous) crabs in local waters. The GTM estuary has been invaded by at least two exotic crab species, including the Indo

- Pacific swimming crab, Charybdis hellerii , and the porcelain crab,73

Petrolisthes armatus . The project was designed to have both spatial and seasonal components that allow for early detection of the arrival of exotic species; tracking and predicting the direction and likelihood of invasive range ex pansion by those species; and monitoring the abundance and diversity of native crabs before, during, and after the invasion process. Monitoring at the GTMNERR has continued since the study was initiated. Crabs are obtained using experimental habitat trays filled with oyster shell and deployed in patchy mud and oyster habitat. The trays are collected quarterly and all crabs identified, measured and sexed. Charybdis hellerii has not been

detected in the habitat trays but has been found in experimental trawls and by commercial crab

fisherman. Petrolisthes armatus is found in abundance in the habitat trays. Samples collected since 2002 show it to be at least as abundant as the native common mud crab ( Panopeus herbstii ) and the flat mud crab ( Eurypanopeus depres sus ).

Invasive Mussel and Barnacle Monitoring Invasive species monitoring also includes mapping and monitoring of the green mussel ( Perna

viridis ) and a large acorn barnacle ( Megabalanus sp .). Study of green mussel distribution is complemented by research at the University of North Florida

, previously discussed under the

research section on I

nvertebrate s

.

American Eel (

Anguilla rostrata ) Monitoring
FWC is mandated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to monitor

young

- of

- year (also kn own as glass) eels and adult eels in Florida. In 1999, the ASMFC developed a Fishery Management Plan for American eel, which is an interstate cooperative effort to protect and enhance the Atlantic stock of American eel in the United States while providing74

for a sustainable ha rvest of the species. As part of this requirement, FWC and University of

Florida personnel conduct routine monitoring of glass eels at the Guana River Dam (St. Johns County) and juvenile eels at Rodman Reservoir or Kirkpatrick Dam (Putn am County ), from January to March. Over an eight

- week period in January and February, dip

- net sweeps are made twice every half

- hour during flood tide at the Guana River Dam site on four rand omly selected nights each week. During February and March, lift ne ts are used to sample juvenile eels twice per week at Rodman Reservoir Dam during rand omly selected periods at night. In addition to obtaining catch data, the eels‟ length, weight, and p igmentation stage are recorded. These data

have been collected since 2 001 and, along with data from the other participating states, were

used in the 2005 coast

- wide stock assessment ( Bonvechio 2008). However, the most current published report is that detailing the 2003

- 2004 assessment years (Bonvechio et al . 2004)

FWC biolo gists also conducted a pilot study at three locations along Pellicer Creek to determine if and when glass eels migrate into this freshwater system. Attempts to collect e els were made using a special fyke (or hoop) net, that was set overnight for at least t wo separate nights each

week during January and February of 2005. The method, however, y ielded ver y few eels.

Sea Turtle Monitoring The Reserve staff monitors sea turtle nesting activity

, previously discussed in the s ection on

R eptiles

. The Reserve‟s beac h habitat is an active nesting beach that is part of the statewide Index Nesting Beach Survey compiled annually by the FWC. Most of the nests are deposited by loggerhead sea turtles, but nests of the endangered green and leatherback sea turtles have also

b een documented.

Gopher Tortoise Population Surveying The Reserve has established a biennial gopher tortoise survey program to assess the current population status of the tortoise within the Guana peninsula . The survey data is also used to

document trends in population status in response to management activities. Volunteer

- led surveys were completed in 2005 and 2007 in which borrows were identified, classified as active or inactive, and geographically located using a differential GPS unit.

Striped Newt Su rveying The striped newt survey is an annual survey conducted by volunteers during April. Survey areas include a number of pond sites within the northern component of the Reserve

.

Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus ) Monitoring The bald eagle is a threat ened species both in Florida and nationally and expanding development is decreasing suitable habitat. There are several nests within the Reserve boundaries, most prominently an active nest located southwest across the Guana River from the EEC. This nest

ha s been monitored by onsite staff since 2005. The goals of the monitoring program are to encourage public interest in the conservation of bald eagles; participation in a statewide program monitoring nest disturbance and success; documentation of eagle nest locations to avoid disrupting nesting; and collection of data on mated pairs and their nest success each year. Monitoring by volunteers begins in October and continues until eaglets are completely fledged, as late as May. Data on the nest site at the EEC i s collected at the beginning of each season and adult and eaglet behavior is recorded at least bi

- weekly for twenty minutes.75

Least Tern Nesting Surveys A Reserve volunteer conducts weekly surveys throughout the nesting season (weather permitting) from Apr il

- August. The surveys are conducted using an all terrain vehicle (ATV) during low tides and usually in the morning, and are conducted in conjunction with the shorebird surveys discussed below.

Other Shorebird M onitoring Numerous species of listed shoreb irds are known to frequent the relatively undisturbed beaches

of the Rese rve. Regular shorebird surveys began at the Reserve in 2006 and are conducted weekly throughout the year. Volunteer or staff members use an ATV to traverse the 4.1 miles of

beach to o bserve shorebird activity. Surveys are usually performed in the morning during low tides and are conducted in conjunction with the least tern nesting survey during nesting season. All species and number s are recorded. Unusual birds are photographed and ide ntified later. Beginning in 2007, data is also collected for the International Shorebird Survey which provides data to national and international agencies.

Marsh Bird Monitoring The monitoring of both short

- term variation and long

- term trends in marsh bi rd populations throughout the Reserve is being accomplished with volunteers following the protocol outlined in the Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Program (Conway 2005). The primary bird groups addressed through this monitoring effort inc lude rails

, bitterns, grebes, gallinules, moorhens, wrens, and sparrows.

This standardized monitoring protocol, which uses broadcast calls to elicit vocalizations, is designed to address a series of issues relating to the monitoring and conservation of m arsh birds. Specifically, the goals of this program are:

1. Determine the population status and breeding distribution of marsh birds;

2. Determine species

- habitat associations of marsh birds;

3. Determine population trends of marsh birds at local (e.g., NERR Sit e), regional (e.g., Gulf Coast), and national geographic scales as well as various temporal scales;

4. Determine the environmental factors that influence the distribution of marsh birds;

5. Increase local volunteer (birders or bird

- watchers) participation in r esearch and monitoring programs.

Understanding marsh bird populations within the Reserve is important because they : (1) may be affected by the accumulation of environmental contaminants in wetland substrates ; (2) are vulnerable to invasive plants ; (3) po tentially serve as “indicator species” for assessing wetland ecosystem quality ; (4) can be used to evaluate the success of wetland restoration efforts ; (5) have high recreational value ( many species are highly sought

- after by recreational birders ) ; and (6) several rails are game species in many states (NERRS 2007).

St. Johns Audubon Fall Migration Peregrine Falcon Count Peregrines from northern North America migrate in the fall to Central and South America. They often hunt along the barrier islands on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts during this time. The goal of the Audubon monitoring effort is to document the population trend s of fall migrating76

peregrine falcons and merlins. Audubon Society volunteers have been counting peregrines, merlins, and kes trels during the fall migration period extending from September 27

– October

12 th, since 1997

. The location of the count is at the north beach access overlook of the Reserve. Data are submitted by Audubon to www.hawkcount.org and www.hawkwatch.org for nati onal

and international coordination.

Anastasia Island Beach Mouse Monitoring

M onitoring of the Anastasia Island Beach Mouse by the Reserve is intended to ascertain the population viability and recovery. The population located at the Reserve is on e of only 3 populations of this sub

- species. Mouse populations are monitored quarterly in conjunction with the monitoring program at Anastasia Island State Park. Trapping is conducted for two nights each quarter. Three transects are set with 2 traps every 15m for a total of 40 traps per transect. Volunteers record general weather conditions and captured mouse condition. Mouse data collected includes sex, pelage condition, weight, reproductive condition, ear tag number, and tail clip for genetic analysis. Unmarked mi ce receive ear tags placed in the left ear for subsequent re

identification.

National Water Level Observing Network The National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) is the fundamental observational component of the National Water Level Program (NWLP). The NWLON is a network of 175 long

- term, continuously operating water

- level stations throughout the USA. There are additional

stations within the GTMNERR boundaries that are not currently operating but for which archived data and predicted tide data are a vailable

. The data continuity, the vertical stability and careful referencing of NWLON stations have enabled the data to be used to estimate relative sea

level trends for the Nation. Both current and historical tide data can be accessed from the

NWLON Web site at http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/nwlon.html

.

National Data Buoy Center The NOAA National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), designs, develops, operates, and maintains a network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations. NDBC provides hourly observation s from a network of about 90 buoys and 60 Coastal Marine Automated Network (C

- MAN) stations to help meet these needs. All stations measure wind speed, direction, and gust; barometric pressure; and air temperature. In addition, all buoy stations, and some C

- MAN stations, measure sea surface temperature and wave height and period. Conductivity and water current are measured at

selected stations.

There are two NDBC stations in proximity to the Reserve; one is on the St. Augustine Beach Pier, with near real

- ti me data available at http://seaboard.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=sauf1

. The other station is a weather buoy 40 nautical miles ENE of the St. Augustine Inlet , with near real

- time data available at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station =41012. The NDBC also carries the data generated from the GTMNERR‟s Pellicer Creek stations at http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=gtqf1 and http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=gtxf1

.77

The NERR Graduate Research Fellowship Prog ram The National Estuarine Research Reserve System‟s (NERRS) Graduate Research Fellowship Program was established in 1997 to support graduate students interested in coastal and estuarine sciences. By providing stipends, a living laboratory and a broad netw ork of fellow scientists, the reserve system aims to encourage and enable talented young scientists to contribute to the knowledge base, provide the science to support coastal decision

- making and train future coastal scientists and policy

- makers.

The Gr aduate Research Fellowship Program provides master‟s degree

students and Ph.D.

candidates with an opportunity to conduct

research of local and national significance that focuses on enhancing

coastal zone

management. Fellows

conduct their research

within a National

Estuarine Research Reserve and gain hands

on experience by participating in their host

reserve's research and monitoring programs.

Graduate Research Fellowship projects are based on the reserves' local needs, the reserve system's national priorit ies and the students' interest. A majority of the projects funded to date have addressed the pressing issues of non

- point source pollution and habitat conservation and restoration. All fellowship projects address issues important to coastal zone management and enhance our understanding of estuarine ecosystems. National Estuarine Research Reserve Fellows are the leaders for the next generation of estuarine scientists; they are influencing the decisions made today for a better coast tomorrow.

GRF projects s upport the reserve system by studying pressing estuarine management topics with local, regional and/or national significance. Fellows also engage with reserve staff members to contribute to their host reserves‟ research and monitoring programs, while gaini ng hands

- on skills to complement their academic studies.

As of Aug u st 2009, 8 research projects have been completed or we re currently underway within the GTMNERR. One of the projects was funded through the ACE Basin NERR, with portions of

the research bei ng conducted in the GTMNERR.

Summaries of the a

bstracts of the research projects, as well as the name of the researcher, fellowship date, and academic affiliation are given below. More details of the fellowship78

program can be found on the NERR Web site at http://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/Fellowship/welcome.html

.

Describing human uses, evaluating existing management and delineating ecological resources, the formulation of an estuarine planning strategy: A case study of the

GTM NERR Ashley Murphy (Johnson)

, Grad ua te Research Fellow 2001

- 2004 University of Florida

The research combine d the best of land use zoning and protection strategies to create an estuary plan that identifies areas for natural resource protection, while enhancing water

dependent uses. This res earch has resulted in a scientifically defensible method for creating estuarine zones based on resource presence and human use patterns, integrating the ecological, sociological, and political components of a coastal area to create zones of marine

use and space.

Estuary planning in particular is needed in the GTMNERR as this coastal area is under development pressure. The results of this research contribute to coastal and marine resource management through the development of a methodology for inventorying important coastal and estuarine resources, subsequently leading to a better understanding of how humans

interact with the coastal and marine environment.

How estuaries respond to nutrient load: the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National

Estuarine Research Rese rve as a model case Nicole Dix, Graduat e Research Fellow 2006

- 200 9 University of Florida

Predicting the consequences of eutrophication in coastal ecosystems has become a major priority for marine researchers. Estuaries are difficult to empirically model, however, due to their highly dynamic nature. This three

- year research project is using the Reserve as a model system for comparing the effects of different nutrient load scenarios in highly flushed estuaries. The objective of the research effort i s to det ermine the differences in the response of selected components of the benthic and attached biota to the nutrient load scenarios in the

San Sebastian and Matanzas regions of the GTM NERR. Water quality analyses will provide spatial and temporal nutrient gradi ents, which can be related to benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and periphyton colonization rates. In addition, the results will add to th e baseline knowledge of the GTM NERR and can ultimately be used to create more effective management plans f

or the conservation of estuarine systems around the world.

Winter recruitment of young

- of

- the

- year bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, into Northeast Florida estuaries: Aspects of distribution, essential habitat, diet and condition Peter Clarke, Graduate Rese arch Fellow 2004

- 2005 University of Massachusetts

Juvenile bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix , spend their first summer in Mid

- Atlantic Bight estuaries and coastal waters. A southerly fall migration takes places in coastal waters in the79

western Atlantic during the fall to over wintering grounds in the Southern Atlantic Bight. Very little is known about the wintertime distribution and trophic dynamics of juvenile bluefish in southern waters at the edge of their geographical rang e.

The collection of bluefish and their potential prey during the winter in Northeast Florida was focused around estuarine and coastal waters from two sites. The Matanzas Inlet which is unique in Northeast Florida as one of the last remaining natural and least environmentally impacted inl ets within Florida, and St. Augustine Inlet which suffers from results of human land development. The comparison of two disparate sampling locations with similar habitat and species assemblage within the same geographical location provide d an opportunity t o examine dependent variables responsible fo r bluefish winter recruitment . Further discussion of this project is included in the research section on Fishes

.

Assessing and modeling mangrove forest dynamics along the temperate

- subtropical

ecotone in eastern Florida Susan E. Leitholf, Graduate Research Fellow 2004

- 200 8 University of Central Florida

Mangrove communities are adapted to intertidal flooding regimes and have historically been found along the entire east coast of Florida. Mangroves are freeze int olerant and hence are restricted to subtropical environments. The Reserve is home to the northernmost extent of mangroves along the Atlantic coast, which have been recovering from a series of freezes in

the 1970s and 80s. This research hypothesize d that in creasing temperatures and a reduction in the freeze frequency and intensity w ould result in a northward expansion of mangrove into

the salt marsh zones in the GTM NERR. Such an expansion represents a major landscape change that will have significant impacts on birds, fish, and other species relying on coastal vegetation. In addition to mangrove spreading into its historic range, Brazilian pepper ( Schinus terebinthifolius ), an exotic species that competes with mangrove in nearby estuaries

will benefit under a warming trend. The vagility of this bird

- dispersed exotic may permit it to establish more rapidly than mangrove.

T he dynamics of these species along this ecotone were investigated by map ping the current

and historic distr ibutions of mangrove in the GTM N ERR using field surveys, GPS, GIS, aerial photography and satellite imagery. To understand the growth patterns of the three native mangrove species and Brazilian pepper, the growth and demography of leaf and reproductive tissues was monitored for two years across the ecotone. With these and related environmental measures, a forest gap succession (FORMAN) model was developed to simulate mangrove recruitment, growth and competition in the GTM NERR. The model was coupled to a dispersal model to make predictions of rate and location of spr ead of these species in the Reserve under different climate and sea level rise scenarios.80

Estuarine Response to Extreme Events

– The GTMNERR Case Study Bilge Tutak, Gra duate Research Fellow 2007

- 20 09 University of Florida

This project will assess the response of the Reserve, a representative estuary in the Southeastern US, to extreme events (e.g., tropical cyclones, strong coastal upwelling events, and Northeasters). Extreme events bring sharp changes in environmental con ditions (e.g., salinity, water temperature, and wave

- induce sediment resuspension), which adversely affect estuarine resources (e.g., habitat and benthos). In the summer of 2003, the GTM NERR experienced a rapid and persis tent water temperature drop (>7 o C) due to a persistent coastal upwelling event in the South Atlantic Bight (SAB). In August through October, 2004, the

Reserve experienced an extreme salinity drop (>20 PSU) due to four major hurricanes in August and September. It is hypothesized that the ext ended low salinity period in the Reserve was due to the heavy rainfall and poor exchange in the St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlets which prevented the saline ocean water from entering the estuary during the hurricanes. This project will quantify the exchang e patterns at the two inlets and within the Reserve during

non

- extreme and extreme events. In

- situ and satellite data during past and subsequent extreme events will be gathered, and numerical models of estuarine hydrodynamics will be used to synthesize the data and to assess the system

- wide response of the GTM to extreme events. Validated numerical models will be used to simulate synoptic

- scale environmental conditions and to identify regions of sharp changes and gradients, where appreciable impact

on ha bit at and benthos are expected.

The effect of salt spray, freshwater supply and forest seed source on ecological succession on dredge spoil islands along the intracoastal waterway in northeastern

Florida John Baker, Graduate Research Fellow 2001

- 2004

Univer sity of Florida

In this study, the effect of salt spray, freshwater supply and forest seed source on ecological succession on different aged dredge spoil islands along the IWW in Northeastern Florida was determined. The study provide d basic knowledge abo ut spoil island habitat, evaluate d the presence of patterns in the primary succession of maritime forests and spoil islands, provide d information on the ability of spoil islands to support tree growth and provide d information on how size, shape and locatio n of spoil islands determine specific vegetation patterns. The study , when published, will contribute to developing methods for estuarine ecosystem restoration and provide information on mechanisms for sustaining resources. It will help determine how quick ly maritime forest can be restored through primary succession and natural seed dispersal mechanisms given certain environmental and spatial variables. Soil

characteristics measurements include d organic matter content, soil moisture and soil particle

size. The Point

- Centered Quarter Method and the Braun

- Blanquet Scale was used to measure abundance and cover for plant species on randomly located east

- west transects. Soil moisture

and relative elevation were estimated at each vegetation sampling point. Soil co res for percent organic matter determination and salt spray were sampled on one

- east

- west transect for each spoil island. Maritime forest tree seeds and seedlings were planted in different vegetation zones. Tree growth and survivorship was measured.81

Using the reserve system to explore plant

- herbivore interactions: Latitudinal variation and impacts of climate change

Chuan

- Kai Ho , Graduate Research Fellow 2004

- 2007 (with ACE Basin) University of Houston

This pr oject focus ed on biodiversity, one of the rese arch focus areas for the NERR system

. This project use d an existing suite of 13 reserves and 3 Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites along the Atlantic Coast as a network to examine latitudinal variation in plant

herbivore interactions. This geographi c variation is driven in part by different traits of populations in different geographic locations. In addition, this project test ed the potential impacts of climate change on plant

- herbivore interactions by examining the importance of differing shifts in plant and herbivore population ranges.

Using a combination of greenhouse experiments (focusing on growth of herbivores from different geographic regions feeding on plants from different geographic regions) and field sampling (of herbivore abundances, siz e and damage to plants), th e project focus ed on four plant species and their most common 6 herbivores . A ll of the species are widely distributed along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. Working with multiple species ensure d that the results are general and not idiosyncratic to a single plant or herbivore species. The ACE Basin

Reserve was the host reserve.

Do grazers and drought stress interact to drive die

- off and foundation plant species

shifts in Florida marshes? Schuyler van Montfrans , Graduate Researh Fe llow, 2009 Universitry of Florida

Evidence from salt marshes along the eastern coast of the U.S. suggests that grazers in salt marshes have been substantially overlooked as important drivers of changes in community structure, as well as large

- scale die

- of f of Spartina , and that these effects are exacerbated by drought stress. Droughts have increased in both frequency and intensity, and may be acting to accelerate the effects of increasing grazer populations.

This project focus es on the role of the purple marsh crab, Sesarma reticulatum , and its role as a consumer in driving foundation species shifts (specifically from Spartina alterniflora to the succulent plant, Salicornia virginica ). The goal of this research is to determine the singular and relative (v s snails and simulated drought stress) impacts of S. reticulatum grazing on marsh productivity, marsh die off expansion and shifts in marsh plant species dominance. To test how grazing by S.reticulatum impacts S. alterniflora and the shift in foundation sp ecies

to the succulent S. virginica, crab exclusion cages will be deployed in both healthy and heavily

- grazed marsh areas, as well as along the borders of S. alterniflora and S. virginica

. To test whether physical stress and marsh periwinkle grazing exacer bate the effects of S.

reticulatum grazing, caging experiments will be conducted to manipulate densities of S.

reticulatum and snails, as well as the salt content of the soil. This study will be the first to quantify these effects, and will be vital to the long

- term monitoring and management of these

habitats.82

Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) Program The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) is a research funding p artnership of NOAA and the University of New Hampshire (UNH)

, established to transform the best available science into practical, innovative tools that coastal managers need to address their priority challenges

. CICEET uses the capabilities of UNH, the pri vate sector, academic and public research institutions throughout the U.S., as well as the 27

NERRS in the reserve system, to develop and apply new environmental technologies and techniques. Since its inception in 1997, CICEET has invested in more than 170 environmental technology development, demonstration, and application projects. The CICEET toolkit contains dozens of field ready tools to address a range of environmental challenges along the nation‟s

coasts. Listed below are the projects within the GTMNE RR that have been fu n ded or have been proposed through the CICEET program.

Redox Control Bioreactor for Enhanced Nitrogen Removal from Septic Tank Effluent

Coordinator: Dr. Jay L. Garland

, jay.l.garland@nasa.gov

Nitrogen pollution of coastal waters fr om on

- site septic systems is a widespread problem. Advanced onsite treatment based on traditional nitrification/denitrification approaches are inherently limited; the low carbon/nitrogen ratio of the waste stream limits denitrification, leading to signific ant levels of residual nitrate which can readily contaminate ground water. Introducing hydrogen to on

- site waste treatment represents an inexpensive, clean means of reducing residual nitrate via the stimulation of hydrogenotrophic denitrification, a microb ial process which converts nitrate to N 2 without the need for organic carbon (i.e., autotrophic process). Hollow fiber membranes are an effective means of delivering relatively insoluble gaseous substrates to biological reactors, relying on diffusion rathe r than sparging to provide gases to biofilms growing directly on the fiber surfaces. Hollow fiber membrane reactors

based on either O 2 or H 2 delivery have been evaluated for aerobic (i.e., nitrification) or hydrogenotrophic processes.

The work involve d a n innovative membrane reactor design in which juxtaposed fibers receiving O 2 and

H 2 allow for simultaneous nitrification and hydrogenotrophic denitrification within a single reactor. The basic concept of the redox control reactor (RCB) was

validated in tes ts with a synthetic,

ammonia

- rich waste stream, allowing the proposed work to focus on its application to septic tank effluent (STE) processing. STE treatment in the RCB will require pretreatment to remove organic83

material so that fast growing heterotrophs will not out compete the slowly growing nitrifiers for space on the hollow fibers within the RCB.

The major product of the work is conclusive results of the system performance under actual field conditions, allowing for a clear decision regarding the po tential development of a

commercial unit.

Start Date: 2006

- 07

- 15

End date: 2008

- 09

- 15 Funding Amount: $339,059

Status: Final report submitted 2009 (Garland and Smith 2009)

Real

- Time Detection of Specific Pathogens with a Fiber Optic Biosensor and

D etermination of the Source of Bacterial Contamination Using Antibiotic Resistance Analysis and Ribotyping of E. coli in the GTM NERR

Coordinator: Dr. Valerie (Jody) Harwood

, vharwood@cas.usf.edu

As coastal areas are increasingly impacted by development and pollution from stormwater runoff and sewer discharges, there is an increasing need to rapidly and specifically identify microbial pathogens that can affect human health. An ideal water test should be able to: (1) detect specific disease

- causing human p athogens (not simply indicator organisms) in real time (within a few minutes or few hours of sampling), (2) quantitate and differentiate between viable and nonviable microorganisms, (3) be performed on a compact portable platform that can be operated by mi nimally trained field personnel, and (4) be automated or adapted to process numerous samples for multiple target pathogens simultaneously. An innovative fiber optic biosensor system developed in our laboratory has these capabilities. The national significa nce of rapid detection of pathogens is difficult to overestimate, and will have a positive impact on our ability to forestall incidences of human illness related to the

use of Florida water resources.

The pro ject objectives we re as follows: Develop biose nsor assays for representative waterborne pathogens Vibrio vulnificus and indicator organisms ( Enterococcus spp ) for use in marine and estuarine waters. Evaluate the use of the Analyte 2000 biosensor for real

- time detec tion of pathogens and indicator organ isms ( Enterococcus spp .) in marine and estuarine waters of the

GTM NERR. Sample sites include d San Sebastian Creek, a watershed that is heavily impacted by the shipping industry, Marshall Creek, which empties into the Tolomato

River and which is the site of a large housing development, and the relatively pristine Pellicer Creek, which empties into Matanzas inlet. As many as five sites per watershed

were sampled on a monthly basis over twelve months.

Start Date: 2001

- 09

- 01

End Date: 2004

- 09

- 01 Funding Amo unt: $198,433

Status: Final Report 200584

This work suggests that fiber optic biosensors/imm unosensors with the sensitivity and specificity needed to detect low numb ers of target bacteria in environmental samples may eventually be developed; however, the instrument used in this study could not achieve that goal given the antibodies and fluorophores available. Sample enrichment improved the sensitivity of detection for V. vulnificus, and ultimately 100 CFU could be detected in saltwater in one working day. The differences between the assays conducted with enterococci

vs. V. vulnificus illustrate the necessity of a high

- affinity antibody preparation for success of

immuno sensors. Because antisera are a biological product, they are generally a less reproducible ligand or identifier than other types such as oligonucleotides. Furthermore, as proteins, they are subject to degradation over time, and may not be ideal for use in remote platforms. However, in many instances high

- affinity antiserum preparations have proven useful in the medical field, and the goal of optimization of biological ligands for use in

sensor technology remains worthwhile

. (Harwood and Lim 2005)

.

Multich annel Handheld Sensor for Microbial Contaminants

Coord i nator: Dr. John Paul

, jpaul@marine.usf.edu

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) such as red tide threaten human and ecological health, and are responsible for an estimated $50 million in medical expenses an d losses in the shellfish, finfish, recreation, and tourist industries. Current red tide monitoring methods are labor

- , skill

- , and equipment

- intensive, and sometimes inaccurate. This project's investigators have already developed a faster, more sensitive method of detecting Florida's red tide microbe. Working with the State of Florida's Bureau of Aquaculture Environmental Services, investigators adapt ed this costly, sophisticated technology into a field

- ready, fast acting, handheld sensor for use by non

- te chnical personnel. The objectives of the research we re to develop a multichannel handheld analyzer to detect microbial contaminants based upon Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Maplification (NASBA), and to develo p a simple method for

field nucleic acid extracti on from environmental samples.

Start Date: 2005

- 09

- 01

End Date: 2008

- 09

- 01 Funding Amount: $300,956

Status: Final Report 2009 (Paul and Fries 2009)

Other r esearch a ctivities The Reserve also sponsors or supports a variety of other research activities. Listed below are brief descriptions of other research that is either completed or underway within the Reserve.

Investigation of Sympatric Speciation by Host

- Race Formation in the Gall Midge Asphondylia borrichae (Rossi & Strong)

Keith Stokes from the UNF ‟s Department of Biology is using the gall midge ( Asphondylia

borrichiae ) to investigate sympatric speciation. The gall midge oviposits in the shoot apical meristem of three species of coastal plants with overlapping ranges. Ovipositing results in the

form ation of galls, nearly sphericalgrowths of plant tissues surrounding the eggs. He will be collecting galls from three geographically disparate sites, one of which is within the85

GTMNERR. The galls will be held in vials while the flies complete their develop ment. DNA analysis of the flies wil l be used to evaluate relationships between the flies and the different host species.

Ecology of Tick

- borne Pathogens in the Southeastern USA Lyme disease is caused by several species of spirochete bacteria within the Bo rrelia burgdorferi genogroup but very little is known about their ecologyin the Southeast. Dr. Kerry

Clark with UNF‟s Department of Public Health has proposed to gain a more thorough understanding of the unique ecology of Borrelia in the southeast to clari fy ecologcial determinants of the presence, geographic distribution, genetic variability, reservoir hosts, tick vectors, and human disease transmission risk for this pathogen. The sampling protocol includes the collection of organisms within the GTMNERR.

Assessment of Water Quality in the Guana

- Tolomato

- Matanzas Estuary: A first application of the ACES workbench (Fox et al. 2007) To better assess water quality at estuarine sites, the Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program at the St. Johns River Water Man agement District (Florida) created a new approach using the Analytical Framework for Coastal and Estuarine Study (ACES), a GIS

- based toolset and geodatabase schema (presented by Bourne et al. 2007; at ERF 2007). The methodology focuses on first

- principles

- analysis of the estuary. First, the relative importance of tidal versus terrestrial flow on estuarine hydrodynamics is assessed using bulk parameters derived from geomorphology and measured flows in the estuary. Then, a control volume is defined by interse cting the tidal

- plane and estuary bathymetry. Boundaries of the control

volume are user

- defined through qualitative knowledge of the flow field. Regression or other model approaches aimed at finding the correlative relationships between the influential

fac tors of upstream riverine drainage, coastal drainage, and estuarine non

- point source pollution are subsequently derived.

A case study applying the methodology to the GTM estuary indicates that while the estuary is heavily affected by tide, there is signi ficant correlation between land

- based pollutants and water quality. The ACES tool has been designed to augment the successful ArcHydro data model that falters in coastal applications, by creating an environment where data from diverse sources can be synthe sized.

Northern Coastal Basin 2006 Oyster Mapping SJRWMD‟s NCB SWIM Plan (Haydt and Frazel 2003) identified the mapping of the extent of oyster habitat as an important data need for developing habitat protection and restoration in the basin. Spatial data regarding the extent of intertidal oyster habitat and subsequent GIS mapping of oyster habitat within the NCB, including the GTMNERR

, was completed by

Linda Walters and Paul Sacks from UCF. The GIS

- based oyster coverage and maps were created by analyzing a erial imagery taken at low tides. The final product also included ground truthing and an assessment of accuracy. SJRWMD staff members are continuing to ground truth the existing map in order to expand the coverage

.86

Mapping GTMNERR Offshore Habitats

Dur ing October of 2008 Reserve staff coordinated with Rutgers University scientists from the NOAA Undersea Research Program for a side

- scan sonar and current

- profiling survey within the northern oceanic region of the GTMNERR using REMUS, a multifunctional

aut onomous underwater vehicle (AUV). REMUS was programmed to run a series of transects in a zig

- zag pattern at a fixed speed and three meters above the bottom from the

north to south end of the offshore section of the Reserve. I nformation on bottom topography and current profiles in addition to temperature, salinity and turbidity along the course of each transect was generated. This mission provided an important first look at the habitat characteristics of the oceanic portion of the Reserve‟s northern componen t.

Quantification, Analysis , a nd Management o f Intracoastal Waterway Channel Margin

Erosion in t he Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida (Price 2006) A GIS based study implicated and quantified the extent of marsh shoreline erosion brought about by boat wakes along the IWW in the southern component of the Reserve . Analyses of aerial photographs of the southern half of the Reserve showed high rates of erosion along the margin of the IWW. From 1970/1971 to 2002 nearly 70 hectar es (approximately 170 acres) of shoreline habitat were degraded by erosion along the 64.8 kilometers of channel margin analyzed. Essential habitats including oyster bars and salt marshes were reduced to intertidal

sand flats.

Exposure to boat wakes was f ound to be the causal factor most strongly correlated with the rate of lateral margin movement. Margin movement rates were also found to vary87

significantly with exposure to wind waves and with the type of channel margin eroded. A

reduction in nearshore wav e energy appears to be necessary to allow the recovery of impacted ecosystems.

Linking Atmospheric Mercury Deposition to Methylmercury Bioaccumulation in

Estuarine Fish at Atlantic NERR Sites The transport and transformation processes connecting atmospher ic deposition of mercury to its bioaccumulation in fish are many, complex and uncertain. In 2009 a collaborative study with the Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research in Beaufort, NC [one of NOAA‟s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCC OS)] was initiated to investigate links between atmospheric mercury deposition and bioaccumulation of methylmercury in estuarine biota at selected east coast NERR sites. GTM staff are collecting oysters ( Crassostrea virginica ) and fish ( Fundulus heterocli tus ) at strategic locations within tidal creeks of the Reserve for subsequent chemical analyses at the NCCOS laboratory in Beaufort. The project will examine whether or not a latitudinal gradient in mercury concentration in estuarine sentinel organisms par allels the latitudinal gradient in atmospheric mercury deposition.88



### ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH AND MONITORING NEEDS

Interviews with Reserve staff, academic scientists, outside agency personnel, and other interested parties have identified the following resea rch facility needs, research gaps, monitoring priorities and needs, and research priorities and needs for the GTMNERR.

Research F acility N eeds

Several investigators have indicated the desire for an additional water quality sampling

station in the vicinit y of the SR 206 bridge that crosses the IWW. This region of theMatanzas estuary is tidally influenced by both the St. Augustine and Matanzas Inlets and is reltively narrow by virtue of the causeway and bridge structure. It therefore representing an interes ting choke point in the estuary worthy of water quality monitoring; moreover, this area is one of the NOAA sites for the Mussel Watch program. Ideally, this station would be equipped with the same SWMP water quality sampling devices as the

Pellicer Creek s tation.

An expansion of sleeping accommodations at both Reserve locations will enable larger groups of researchers to work in close proximity to the Reserve.

The installation of an auxiliary sampling platform at the Pellicer Creek site would provide spa ce for additional sampling equipment such as an ISCO sampler and periphyton samples.

Research G aps

Ideally, biological monitoring should focus on multiple trophic levels (e.g., phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fishes, and marine mammals) a nd habitats incorporating measures of both species/habitat biodiversity and condition. This multiple trophic level monitoring is not yet in place. It will complement the expansion of the national SWMP effort to include assessments of habitat changes in bio diversity, population structure, and productivity in coastal communities related to anthropogenic

and climate change impacts.

The GTMNERR submerged habit ats are not well characterized. An up

- to

- date baseline inventory of habitats and species together with the development of protocols for conducting change analyses and predictive modeling is needed. In addition, m ap ping of submerged habitat s ediment grain size, bathymetry and hard

- bottom resources to serve as baseline for future change analyses and habitat suitability modeling efforts is needed

.

There is a need for information concerning the status and trends in recreational and commercial fisheries within the Reserves boundary.

Storms are often the cause of major coastal shoreline changes, exacerbating th e impact of anthropogenic influences, such as sea level rise, inlet management, beach renourishment and channel dredging, on natural sediment dynamics (Michener 1 997). Sediment89

transport modeling is necessary to quantify these processes and predict the out come of anthropogenic and natural events.

Our understanding o f coastal circulation in the nearshore and offshore waters of the Reserve is lacking due to very few observations

, except at NDBC buoy 41012

approx imately 40 nautical miles offshore, and NDBC 41 009 at about 20 nautical miles offshore of Cape Canaveral. The proximity of these waters to estuarine outflows from St. Augustine Inlet and the Matanzas Inlet heightens the potential for serious impacts to the integrity of all elements of the coastal envir onment, including plankton, invertebrate and fish communities, as well as the quality of recreational resources, such as beaches. Installation of a chain of offshore buoys and associated sampling equipment would enable researchers to begin to develop a hyd rodynamic understanding of the offshore environment. This basic research could then be used to study the effect s of nutrient flows from the estuary and offshore, as well as the bio

- physical interactions between the two

environments.

Previous analysis of e rosive trends of shoreline suggests that increased nearshore wave energy caused by boat wakes is the primary cause; however, further research may be necessary to accurately relate wake energy to erosion rates. Such work should be followed by the developmen t and implementation of a plan intended to address the problem of erosion in the Reserve.

Monitoring Priorities and N eeds

There is an immediate need to evaluate existing ecosystem science information to

establish baseline conditions in order to evaluate and prioritize future management

activities. L ong

- term systematic monitoring of pollutants, habitats, and estuarine species

has not been initiated throughout the GTMNERR, and in particular in the Re serve‟s CAMA managed boundaries.

Long

- term standardized monitoring is ne eded to assess trends in the condition of the

Reserve ‟ s water quality and biological resources. Monitoring has been initiated through the SWMP but data collected from other entities needs to be collated and analyzed. Analysis and monitoring of the composition of estuarine and oceanic species is needed to
track short

- term va riability and long

- term trends.

The initial GRMAP and PCAP management plans include habitat and species inventories ( DNR 1991) that should be updated , or a general GTMNER R inventory should be conducted using standardized methods to facilitate change detection.

Basic b iological monitoring of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate communities is needed to develop an understanding of the basic trophic status of th e estuarine ecosystem.90

Establishing long

- term baseline mapping of the Reserve ‟ s upland habitats is necessary to

track short

- term variability and long

- term trends. Habitat change monitoring is necessary to set management priorities and to assess the resili ency of the Reserve ‟ s habitats.

The influence of long

- term climate change, particularly global warming and sea level

rise , on the Reserve‟s habitat and species composition will need to be monitored closely to guide future long

- term management strategies.

Consolidating research and monitoring information from a variety of local, state and national programs is needed to produce a comprehensive watershed plan for sustainable protection of the water quality and co astal habitats of the Reserve.

Research Prio rities and N eeds

The re is aneed for continued coordination with the GTM Research Reserve‟s CTP and Education programs to facilitate translation and communication of the Reserv e ‟s research

results. T he GTM Research Reserve‟s Management Plan emphasizes such educational linkages and particularly the use of research and monitoring information in guiding adaptive management decisions.

Climate change is predicted to strongly affect coastal areas due to sea level rise, increase in storm frequency, and changes in weather patterns. Since human populations are increasingly drawn to coastal areas, the continued interactions of human activities with the natural environment need to be understood, especially in light of a changing climate, which may alter these interact ions (NERR 2007).

As the national effort develops

, the SWMP program is being expanded to include assessments of habitat loss and changes in biodiversity, population structure, and productivity in coastal communities as a result of climate change impacts. One of the main objectives of the climate change assessment will be to establish a surface elevation table (SET) network within wetland habitats (e.g. marsh, mangroves, etc.) of the Reserves to support long

- term monitoring and research of factors affectin g the elevation of coastal wetlands with respect to sea level. SET data will be analyzed to develop surface elevation trajectories which will allow the evaluation of whether the wetland surfaces are keeping pace with sea level. Coupled with other component s of SWMP, this information could be used to investigate processes resulting in elevation change, and community responses to this change.

Primary production, respiration and the balance between the two, or net ecosystem metabolism (NEM), has been assessed for many of the NERR estuaries (Caff r ey 2003)

. The GTMNERR was not included as sufficient data for the system had not been acquired.

Sufficient data is now available such th at the NEM for the GTMNERR can be assessed.

This assessment is consistent with the NERR SWMP goal to examine short

- term variability and long

- term changes in representative estuarine ecosystems (Wenner et al. 2001).91

Habitat suitability modeling or similar efforts should be implemented as a predictive tool to guide management decisions a ffecting natural biodiversity.

The influence of anthropogenic water diversions from aquifers for drinking water, irrigation and lake management on the Reserve‟s natural resources requires further study

Researchers from UF have numerous biological samples collected in conjunction with ongoing projects that have been archived, but have yet to be analyzed. Analysis and characterization of the samples would greatly expand the knowledge base of basic biological information in the Reserve. A catalog of samples collected is included in Appendix C.

More in

- depth work aimed at establishing a stronger causal correlation to shoreline

erosion and boat w ak es could involve field measurement of wave energy and an attempt to correlate wave energy with fetch, nearshore ba thymetric profile, local sediment type, and erosion rates. Such a study could develop a comparison of the net volumes of sediment transported by relatively small but frequent wind waves and larger but less frequent boat wakes.92 

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### APPENDIX A . LIST OF SPECIES

Common Name Scientific Name

Kingdom Plantae Phylum Pterophyta (ferns) Carolina Mosquito Fern Azolla caroliniana

Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea Royal Fern Osmunda regalis Golden Polypody Phlebodium aureum

Resurrection Fern Pleopeltis polypodioides var. michauxiana Lacy Bracken Pteridium aquilinum var. caudatum

Water fern Salvinia auriculata

Southern Shield Fern Thelypteris kunthii

Shoes tring Fern Vittaria lineata

Netted Chain Fern Woodwardia areolata Virginia Chain Fern Woodwardia virginica Phylum Pinophyta (cone

- bearing plants)

Red Cedar Juniperus virginiana

Sand Pine Pinus clausa

Slash Pine Pinus elliottii Longleaf pine P inus palustris

Pond Pine Pinus serotina Loblolly Pine Pinus taeda Pond cypress Taxodium ascendens Phylum Magnoliophyta (flowering plants)

Blue Maidencane Amphicarpum muhlenbergianum

Florida Bluestem Andropogon floridanus Purple Bluestem Andropo gon glomeratus var. glaucopsis Bushy Bluestem Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus Broomsedge Andropogon longiberbis Splitbeard Bluestem Andropogon ternarius Broomsedge Bluestem Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus Green Dragon Arisaema dracontium Wiregrass Aristida beyrichiana Woollysheath Three

- awn Aristida lanosa

Bottlebrush Three

- awn Aristida spiciformis

Switchcane Arundinaria gigantea

Switch cane Arundinaria tecta

Common Oat Avena fatua

Bamboo Bambusa spp. Capillary Hairsedge Bulb ostylis ciliatifolia Sandyfield Hairsedge Bulbostylis stenophylla Greenwhite sedge Carex albolutescens Sandywoods Sedge Carex dasycarpa Hammock Sedge Carex fissa var. aristata Long's Sedge Carex longii106

Common Name Scientific Name Blackedge Sedge Carex nigromarginata

Sout hern Sandspur Cenchrus echinatus Coastal Sandspur Cenchrus incertus Sanddune Sandspur Cenchrus tribuloides Class Magnoliopsida (woody flowering plants)

Slender Woodoats Chasmanthium laxum var. laxum Spanglegrass Chasmanthium laxum var. sessiliflor um Sawgrass Cladium jamaicense Whitemouth Dayflower Commelina erecta Spring Coralroot Corallorhiza wisteriana Bermudagrass Cynodon dactylon Cyperus brevifolius Baldwin's Flatsedge Cyperus croceus Swamp Flatsedge Cyperus distinctus

Yellow Nut grass Cyperus esculentus Umbrella sedge Cyperus filicinus Globe sedge Cyperus globulosus Haspan Flatsedge Cyperus haspan Fragrant Flatsedge Cyperus odoratus Manyspike Flatsedge Cyperus polystachyos Pinebarren Flatsedge Cyperus retrorsus Nutgras s Cyperus rotundus Strawcolored Flatsedge Cyperus strigosus Tropical Flatsedge Cyperus surinamensis Fourangle Flatsedge Cyperus tetragonus Crowfootgrass Dactyloctenium aegyptium

Panicum Dicanthelium erectifolium Variable Witchgrass Dichanthelium commutatum Forked Witchgrass Dichanthelium dichotomum Hemlock Witchgrass Dichanthelium portoricense

Dichanthelium sabulorum Southern Crabgrass Digitaria ciliaris Slender Crabgrass Digitaria filiformis var. filiformis Shaggy crabgrass Digitaria villosa Saltgrass Distichlis spicata Coast Cockspur Echinochloa walteri Baldwin's Spikerush Eleocharis baldwinii Yellow Spikerush Eleocharis flavescens Sand Spikerush Eleocharis montevidensis Viviparous Spikerush Eleocharis vivipara

Indian Goo segrass Eleusine indica

Green

- fly Orchid Epidendrum magnoliae var. magnoliae Purple Lovegrass Eragrostis spectabilis107

Common Name Scientific Name Coastal Lovegrass Eragrostis virginica Centipedegrass Eremochloa ophiuroides Pinewoods Fingergrass Eustachys petraea

Slender Fi mbry Fimbristylis autumnalis Carolina Fimbry Fimbristylis caroliniana Chesnut sedge Fimbristylis castanea Marsh Fimbry Fimbristylis spadicea Fringe rush Fimbristylis vahlii Dwarf Umbrellasedge Fuirena pumila Southern Umbrellasedge Fuirena scirpoi dea Waterspider Orchid Habenaria repens Watergrass Hydrochloa carliniensis Fringed Yellow Stargrass Hypoxis juncea Blue flag Iris virginica Tapertip Rush Juncus acuminatus Leathery Rush Juncus coriaceus

Forked Rush Juncus dichotomus

Soft Rush Juncus effusus Bog Rush Juncus elliottii

Shore Rush Juncus marginatus Bighead Rush Juncus megacephalus Manyhead Rush Juncus polycephalus Creeping Rush Juncus repens

Black Needle Rush Juncus roemerianus Shortleaf Spikesedge Kyllinga brevifoli a Carolina Redroot Lachnanthes caroliniana Bogbuttons Lachnocaulon spp. Southern Cutgrass Leersia hexandra

Duckweed Lemna valdiviana Bearded Spangletop Leptochloa fascicularis Frog's

- bit; American Spongeplant Limnobium spongia Italian Ryegrass Lolium perenne Southern Watergrass Luziola fluitans Big moss Mayaca fluviatilis Gulf Hairawn Muhly Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes

Marine naiad Najas marina

Southern naiad Najas quadalupenis Woodsgrass Oplismenus hirtellus Bitter Panicgras s Panicum amarum

Beaked Panicum Panicum anceps Fall Panicgrass Panicum dichotomiflorum

Maidencane Panicum hemitomon Guineagrass Panicum maximum108

Common Name Scientific Name Torpedograss Panicum repens Redtop Panicum Panicum rigidulum Bluejoint Panicum Panicum tenerum

W arty Panicgrass Panicum verrucosum Switchgrass Panicum virgatum Bull paspalum Paspalum boscianum Bahiagrass Paspalum notatum var. saurae Thin Paspalum Paspalum setaceum Vaseygrass Paspalum urvillei

Pearl millet Pennisetum americanum

Blackseed N eedlegrass Piptochaetium avenaceum Annual Bluegrass Poa annua Rabbitsfootgrass Polypogon monspeliensis

Pickerelweed Pontederia cordata Sago pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus

Giant Orchid Pteroglossapsis ecristata Rose Natalgrass Rhynchelytrum repen s Anglestem Beaksedge Rhynchospora caduca Starrush Whitetop Rhynchospora colorata Shortbristle Horned Beaksedge Rhynchospora corniculata Fascicled Beaksedge Rhynchospora fascicularis Threadleaf Beaksedge Rhynchospora filifolia Sandyfield Beakse dge Rhynchospora megalocarpa Southern Beaksedge Rhynchospora microcarpa Bunched Beaksedge Rhynchospora microcephala

Bald rush Rhynchospora nitens Widgeon grass Ruppia maritima Cabbage Palm; Sabal Palm Sabal palmetto Sugarcane Plumegrass Saccharum giganteum American Cupscale Sacciolepis striata Floating leaf sagittaria Sagittaria filiformis Grassy Arrowhead Sagittaria graminea var. graminea

Little Bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium

Saltmarsh bulrush Schoenoplectus robustus

So ft stem bulrush Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus

Netted Nutrush Scleria reticularis Tall Nutgrass Scleria triglomerata

Saw Palmetto Serenoa repens Giant Foxtail; Giant Bristlegrass Setaria magna

Knotroot Foxtail Setari a parviflora Pointed blue eyed grass Sisyrinchium angustifolium

Annual Blue

- eyed Grass Sisyrinchium rosulatum109

Common Name Scientific Name

Earleaf Greenbrier Smilax auriculata

Saw Greenbrier Smilax bona

- nox Cat Greenbrier; Wild Sarsaparilla Smilax glauca Sarsaparilla Vine Smilax pumila Hog Brier; Bristly Greenbrier Smilax tamnoides Lopsided Indiangrass Sorghastrum secundum Smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora Smooth Cordgrass; Saltmarsh Cordgrass Spartina alterniflora var. glabra Sand Cordgrass Spartina bakeri Marshhay Cordgrass; Saltmeadow Cordgrass Spartina patens Prairie Wedgescale Sphenopholis obtusata

Ladies tresses Spiranthes praecox

Woodland Ladies'

- tresses Spiranthes sylvatica Spring Ladies'

- tresses Spiranthes vernalis
Duckmeat; Dotted Duckweed Spirodela punctata Smutgrass Sporobolus indicus var. indicus Seashore Dropseed Sporobolus virginicus St. Augustine grass Stenotaphrum secundatum Yellow Hatpins Syngonanthus flavidulus Bartram's Airplant Tillandsia bartramii

Ballmoss Tillandsia recurvata
Southern Needleleaf Tillandsia setacea Spanish Moss Tillandsia usneoides Bluejacket; Ohio Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Purpletop; Tall Redtop Tridens flavus var. flavus Arrowgrass Triglochin striata Purple Sandgrass Triplasis purp urea Narrow leaved cattail Typha angustifolia Tropical cattail Typha domingensis

Broadleaf Cattail Typha latifolia

Sea Oats Uniola paniculata

Sixweeks Fescue Vulpia octoflora Bog mat Wolffiella gladiata Shortleaf Yelloweyed Grass Xyris brevifoli a Richard's Yelloweyed Grass Xyris jupicai Spanish Bayonet Yucca aloifolia

Lawn Orchid Zeuxine strateumatica Slender Threeseed Mercury Acalypha gracilens Red Maple Acer rubrum Shyleaf; Joint

- vetch Aeschynomene americana Agalinis fasciculata

Hammock Snakeroot Ageratina jucunda Alligatorweed Alternanthera philoxeroides110

Common Name Scientific Name

Southern Amaranth Amaranthus australis Pigweed Amaranthus spp. Common Ragweed Ambrosia artemisiifolia Fly poison Amianthium muscaetoxicum Toothcup Ammannia latifolia False indigo Amorpha fruticosa Peppervine Ampelopsis arborea Devil's Walkingstick Aralia spinosa Mexican Pricklypoppy Argemone mexicana

Savannah Milkweed Asclepias pedicellata

Velvetleaf Milkweed Asclepias tomentosa Smallflower Pawpaw Asimina p arviflora Climbing Aster Aster carolinianus

Rice Button Aster Aster dumosus Swamp Aster; Elliott's Aster Aster elliottii

Annual Saltmarsh Aster Aster subulatus

Perennial Saltmarsh Aster Aster tenuifolius Whitetop Aster; Dixie Aster Aster tortif olius

Walter's Aster Aster walteri Sea beach atriplex Atriplex arenaria
Crested Saltbush; Seabeach Orach Atriplex pentandra Black Mangrove Avicennia germinans

Saltwater Falsewillow Baccharis angustifolia Silverling Baccharis glomeruliflora

Sal t Bush; Groundsel Tree; Sea Myrtle Baccharis halimifolia Blue Waterhyssop Bacopa caroliniana Smooth Waterhyssop; Herb

- of Grace Bacopa monnieri Saltwort; Turtleweed Batis maritima

Tarflower Bejaria racemosa

Rattan Vine Berchemia scandens Beggart icks Bidens alba Spanish Needles Bidens bipinnata Burrmarigold Bidens laevis

Crossvine Bignonia capreolata False Nettle; Bog Hemp Boehmeria cylindrica Red Spiderling; Wineflower Boerhavia diffusa Bushy Seaside Oxeye Borrichia frutescens

Ameri can Bluehearts Buchnera americana Tough bumelia Bumelia tenax

American Searocket Cakile edentula subsp. harperi American Beautyberry; French Mulberry Callicarpa americana

Matted Waterstarwort Callitriche peploides Trumpetcreeper Campsis radicans111

Common Name Scientific Name

Bitter cress Cardamine hirsuta Pennsylvania Bittercress Cardamine pensylvanica

Thistle Carduus spp.

Vanillaleaf Carphephorus odoratissimus Pignut Hickory Carya glabra Wild sensitive plant Cassia nictitans Sicklepod Cassia obtusifolia Sugarberry; Hackberry Celtis laevigata Spadeleaf; Coinwort Centella asiatica Spurred Butterfly Pea Centrosema virginianum

Buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis Florida Rosemary; Sand Heath Ceratiola ericoides

Coontail Ceratophyllum spp. Partridge Pea Chamae crista fasciculata

Sensitive Pea Chamaecrista nictitans var. aspera

Dixie Sandmat Chamaesyce bombensis Eye

- bane; Hyssopleaf Sandmat Chamaesyce hyssopifolia Spotted Sandmat Chamaesyce maculata

Lamb's

- quarters Chenopodium album Mexican Tea;Pigwee d Chenopodium ambrosioides
Bull Thistle; Yellow Thistle Cirsium horridulum

Nuttall's Thistle Cirsium nuttallii Sour Orange Citrus aurantium Butterfly Pea; Atlantic Pigeonwings Clitoria mariana Stinging Nettle; Tread

- softly; Finger

- rot Cnidoscolus stimulosus

Dwarf Canadian Horseweed Conyza canadensis var. pusilla

Golden Tickseed Coreopsis tinctoria Swamp dogwood Cornus stricta

Pursh's Rattlebox Crotalaria purshii

Rabbitbells Crotalaria rotundifolia Showy Rattlebox Crotalaria spectabilis Hogwort; Woolly Croton Croton capitatus Vente Conmigo Croton glandulosus
Beach Tea; Gulf Croton Croton punctatus

Colombian Waxweed Cuphea carthagenensis Compact Dodder Cuscuta compacta Bigseed Alfalfa Dodder Cuscuta indecora

Gulfcoast Swallow wort Cynanchum angustifolium Western Tansymustard Descurainia pinnata Hoary Ticktrefoil; Beggarweed Desmodium incanum

Panicledleaf Ticktrefoil Desmodium paniculatum

Dixie Ticktrefoil Desmodium tortuosum

Threeflower Ticktrefoil Desmodium triflorum112

Common Name Scientific Name Carolina Ponysfoot Dichondra caroliniensis

Poor Joe Diodia teres Virginia Buttonweed Diodia virginiana

Common Persimmon Diospyros virginiana Wedgeleaf Whitlowgrass Draba cuneifolia

Dwarf Sundew Drosera brevifolia

Pink Sundew Drosera capillar is Oblong Twinflower Dyschriste oblongifolia False Daisy Eclipta prostrata Tall Elephantsfoot Elephantopus elatus

Fireweed Erechtites hieracifolia

Oakleaf Fleabane Erigeron quercifolius Baldwin's Eryngo Eryngium baldwinii
Coralbean; Cherokee Bean Erythrina herbacea

Coastal white snakeroot Eupatorium aromaticum Dog Fennel Eupatorium capillifolium

Yankeeweed Eupatorium compositifolium

Falsefennel Eupatorium leptophyllum Mohr's Thoroughwort Eupatorium mohrii Roundleaf Thoroughwort Eupa torium rotundifolium Lateflorwering Thoroughwort Eupatorium serotinum

Slender Goldenrod Euthamia caroliniana Flat topped goldenrod Euthamia minor Florida Swampprivet Forestiera segregata Firewheel; Blanketflower Gaillardia pulchella

Elliott's Mi lkpea Galactia elliottii Eastern Milkpea Galactia regularis Downy Milkpea Galactia volubilis

Coastal Bedstraw Galium hispidulum

Stiff Marsh Bedstraw Galium tinctorium

Southern Beeblossom Gaura angustifolia Dwarf Huckleberry Gaylussacia dumosa Blue Huckleberry Gaylussacia frondosa var. tomentosa Dangleberry Gaylussacia nana

Yellow Jessamine Gelsemium sempervirens

Carolina Cranesbill Geranium carolinianum Narrowleaf Purple Everlasting Gnaphalium falcatum Rabbit Tobacco; Sweeteverlasting Gnaphalium obtusifolium Pennsylvania Everlasting Gnaphalium pensylvanicum Loblolly bay Gordonia lasianthus Rough Hedgehyssop Gratiola hispida Hedge hyssop Gratiola ramoa Innocence; Fairy Footprints Hedyotis procumbens1 13

Common Name Scientific Name

Clustered Mille Graine Hedy otis uniflora
Pinebarren Frostweed; Rock

- rose Helianthemum corymbosum

East Coast Dune Sunflower Helianthus debilis subsp. Debilis Camphorweed Heterotheca subaxillaris Swamp Rosemallow Hibiscus grandiflorus Queendevil Hieracium gronovii Largelea f Marshpennywort Hydrocotyle bonariensis Manyflower Marshpennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata Whorled Marshpennywort Hydrocotyle verticillata var. verticillata

Bedstraw St. John's

- wort Hypericum galioides Roundpod St. John's

- wort Hypericum cistifolium Pineweeds; Orangegrass Hypericum gentianoides

St. Andrew's

- cross Hypericum hypericoides

Dwarf St. John's

- wort Hypericum mutilum Myrtleleaf St. John's

- wort Hypericum myrtifolium

Naked St. John's wort Hypericum nudiflorum

Atlantic St. John's

- wort H ypericum reductum

St. Peter's wort Hypericum stans Fourpetal St. John's

- wort Hypericum tetrapetalum Carolina Holly; Sand Holly Ilex ambigua var. ambigua

Dahoon Ilex cassine var. cassine Large gallberry Ilex coriacea Inkberry; Gallberry Ilex glabr a American Holly Ilex opaca var. opaca Yaupon Ilex vomitoria Hairy Indigo Indigofera hirsuta Trailing Indigo Indigofera spicata Woody Indigo Indigofera suffruticosa

Tievine Ipomoea cordatotriloba Beach Morningglory Ipomoea imperati

Man

- of

- t he

- Earth; Wild Potato Vine Ipomoea pandurata Railroad Vine; Bayhops Ipomoea pes

- caprae var. brasiliensis Saltmarsh Morningglory Ipomoea sagittata Beach morning glory Ipomoea stolonifera

Littlebell Ipomoea triloba Standing Cypress; Spanish Larkspur Ipomopsis rubra
Juba's Bush; Bloodleaf Iresine diffusa

Marsh Elder Iva frutescens

Seacoast Marshelder Iva imbricata

Piedmont Marshelder Iva microcephala Virginia Saltmarsh Mallow Kosteletzkya virginica Virginia Dwarfdandelion Krigia virginica

Woodland Lettuce Lactuca floridana114

Common Name Scientific Name

Grassleaf Lettuce Lactuca graminifolia
Lantana; Shrub Verbena Lantana camara Hairy Pinweed Lechea mucronata

Pin weed Lechea racemulosa Virginia Pepperweed Lepidium virginicum Hairy Bush Clover Lespedeza hirta Slender Gayfeather Liatris gracilis Gopher Apple Licania michauxii Japanese Privet Ligustrum japonicum

Carolina Sea Lavender Limonium carolinianum

Canada Toadflax Linaria canadensis

Florida Toadflax Linaria floridana Yellowseed False Pimpern el Lindernia dubia var. anagallidea Moistbank False Pimpernel Lindernia dubia var. dubia Carpetweed Lippia nodiflora Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua

Lobelia Lobelia nuttalii

Curtiss' Primrosewillow Ludwigia curtissii

Seaside Primrosewillow Ludwi gia maritima

Mexican Primrosewillow Ludwigia octovalvis Creeping Primrosewillow Ludwigia repens Shrubby Primrosewillow Ludwigia suffruticosa Christmasberry Lycium carolinianum Rusty Lyonia; Rusty Staggerbush Lyonia ferruginea Coastalplain Stagge rbush Lyonia fruticosa Fetterbush; Shiny Lyonia Lyonia lucida

Wild Bushbean Macroptilium lathyroides Southern Magnolia Magnolia grandiflora Sweetbay Magnolia virginiana Angularfruit Milkvine Matelea gonocarpa

Black Medick Medicago lupulina

Bu rclover Medicago polymorpha Chinaberry Melia azedarach

White Sweetclover Melilotus albus

Indian Sweetclover Melilotus indicus Creeping Cucumber Melothria pendula Alamo Vine; Noyau Vine Merremia dissecta
Shade Mudflower; Globifera Micranthemum u mbrosum Florida Keys Hempvine Mikania cordifolia Climbing Hempvine Mikania scandens

Sensitive Brier Mimosa quadrivalvis Spotted Beebalm; Spotted Horsemint Monarda punctata Indianpipe Monotropa uniflora115

Common Name Scientific Name Pigmypipes Monotropsis reynoldsiae

Red Mu lberry Morus rubra Wax Myrtle; Southern Bayberry Myrica cerifera
Cutleaf Watermilfoil; Green Parrot's

- feather Myriophyllum pinnatum American White Waterlily Nymphaea odorata Swamp Tupelo Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora Seabeach Evening Primrose Oeno thera humifusa Cutleaf Evening Primrose Oenothera laciniata Devil Joint; Cockspur Pricklypear Opuntia pusilla Erect Pricklypear Opuntia stricta
Wild Olive; Devilwood Osmanthus americanus

Yellow Woodsorrel Oxalis corniculata

Violet wood sorrel O xalis corymbosa

Wood sorrell Oxalis florida

Yellow wood sorrel Oxalis stricta Florida Pellitory Parietaria floridana

Baldwin's Nailwort Paronychia baldwinii Virginia Creeper; Woodbine Parthenocissus quinquefolia Purple Passionflower Passiflora inc arnata Corkystem Passionflower Passiflora suberosa Red Bay Persea borbonia var. borbonia Swamp Bay Persea palustris

Oak Mistletoe Phoradendron leucarpum

Mistletoe Phoradendron serotinum Capeweed; Turkeytangle Fogfruit Phyla nodiflora

Drummond' s Leafflower Phyllanthus abnormis

Chamber Bitter Phyllanthus urinaria Walter's Groundcherry Physalis walteri

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana

Pokeweed Phytolacca rigida

Violet butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris

Grassleaf Goldenaster Pityopsis g raminifolia English Plantain Plantago lanceolata Virginia Plantain Plantago virginica Camphorweed Pluchea camphorata Stinking Camphorweed Pluchea foetida

Saltmarsh fleabane Pluchea purpuracens Rosy Camphorweed Pluchea rosea

Painted

- leaf; Fire

- on

- the

- Mountain Poinsettia cyathophora Polygala Polygala cymosa

Procession Flower Polygala incarnata

Yellow milkwort Polygala lutea Orange milkwort Polygala nana116

Common Name Scientific Name

Racemed Milkwort Polygala polygama Hairy Smartweed Polygonum hirsutum Mild Waterpep per Polygonum hydropiperoides

Dotted Smartweed Polygonum punctatum Hairy Leafcup Polymnia uvedalia Rustweed; Juniperleaf Polypremum procumbens Little Hogweed Portulaca oleracea Pink purslane Portulaca pilosa
Pink Purslane; Kiss

- Me

- Quick Portulac a pilosa

Combleaf Mermaidweed Proserpinaca pectinata Carolina Laurelcherry Prunus caroliniana Black Cherry Prunus serotina var. serotina

Flatwoods Plum Prunus umbellata Common Hoptree; Wafer Ash Ptelea trifoliata

Blackroot Pterocaulon pycnostac hyum Mock Bishopsweed Ptilimnium capillaceum Carolina Desertchicory; False Dandelion Pyrrhopappus carolinianus Chapman's Oak Quercus chapmanii

Sand Live Oak Quercus geminata
Laurel Oak; Diamond Oak Quercus laurifolia Myrtle Oak Quercus myrtifol ia

Water Oak Quercus nigra

Live Oak Quercus virginiana Low Spearwort Ranunculus pusillus

Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum Maryland Meadowbeauty Rhexia mariana Winged Sumac Rhus copallinum Climbing Dollar

- weed; Least Snoutbean Rhynchosia mini ma Tropical Mexican Clover Richardia brasiliensis Rough Mexican Clover Richardia scabra Sawtooth Blackberry Rubus argutus Sand Blackberry Rubus cuneifolius Southern Dewberry Rubus trivialis

Carolina Wild Petunia Ruellia caroliniensis

Hastatel eaf Dock Rumex hastatulus Swamp Dock Rumex verticillatus Marsh pink Sabatia bartramii Shortleaf Rosegentian Sabatia brevifolia

Smallflower Mock Buckthorn Sageretia minutiflora

Annual Glasswort Salicornia bigelovii Perennial Glasswort; Virginia G lasswort Salicornia perennis Perennial glasswort Salicornia virginica

Carolina Willow Salix caroliniana117

Common Name Scientific Name Prickly Russian Thistle Salsola kali subsp. pontica Tropical Sage Salvia coccinea Lyreleaf Sage Salvia lyrata American Elder; Elderberry Samb ucus canadensis Pineland Pimpernel Samolus valerandi subsp. parviflorus

Blacksnakeroot Sanicula canadensis Southern soapberry Sapindus saponaria Soapberry Sapindus saponaria

Lizard's tail Saururus cernuus

Sweetbroom Scoparia dulcis Sicklepod; C offeeweed Senna obtusifolia Bequilla Sesbania emerus Danglepod Sesbania herbacea Bladderpod; Bagpod Sesbania vesicaria Seapurslane Sesuvium portulacastrum Common Wireweed; Common Fanpetals Sida acuta Cuban Jute; Indian Hemp; Teaweed Sida rhombif olia Tough Buckthorn Sideroxylon tenax Sleepy Catchfly Silene antirrhina

Horsenettle Solanum carolinense var. carolinense Black Nightshade Solanum chenopodioides Tropical Soda Apple Solanum viarum

Canada Goldenrod Solidago canadensis var. scabr a Pinebarren Goldenrod Solidago fistulosa Chapman's Goldenrod Solidago odora var. chapmanii

Seaside Goldenrod Solidago sempervirens Spiny Sowthistle Sonchus asper

Common Sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus Shrubby False Buttonweed Spermacoce verticill ata Roughfruit Scaleseed Spermolepis divaricata Florida Betony; Florida Hedgenettle Stachys floridana Trailing Fuzzybean Strophostyles helvula Sea Blite; Annual Seepweed Suaeda linearis Wood Sage; Canadian Germander Teucrium canadense

Eastern P oison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans

Puncturevine Tribulus terrestris

Forked Bluecurls Trichostema dichotomum Hop clover Trifolium dubium

White Clover Trifolium repens Clasping Venus' Lookingglass Triodanis perfoliata Humped Bladderwort Utricularia gibba Floating bladderwort Utricularia inflata Eastern Purple Bladderwort Utricularia purpurea118

Common Name Scientific Name Little Floating Bladderwort Utricularia radiata Zigzag Bladderwort Utricularia subulata Sparkleberry; Farkleberry Vaccinium arboreum Highbush Blueberr y Vaccinium corymbosum Shiny Blueberry Vaccinium myrsinites Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum Woolly Mullein Verbascum thapsus

Wand Mullein Verbascum virgatum Purpletop Vervain Verbena bonariensis

Brazilian Vervain Verbena brasiliensis

Texas Verv ain Verbena officinalis var. halei

Harsh Vervain Verbena scabra
Frostweed; White Crownbeard Verbesina virginica

Giant Ironweed Vernonia gigantea

Fourleaf Vetch Vicia acutifolia Hairypod Cowpea Vigna luteola

White violet Viola affinis Bog White Violet Viola lanceolata Early Blue Violet Viola palmata

Common Blue Violet Viola sororia Summer Grape Vitis aestivalis

Muscadine Vitis rotundifolia

Southern Rockbell Wahlenbergia marginata

Hercules'

- club Zanthoxylum clava

- herculis

Kingdom An imalia Phylum Porifera (sea sponges) Boring Sponge Cliona sp. Purple Sponge Haliclona permollis Sun Sponge Hymeniacidon heliophila Red Beard Sponge Microciona prolifera Phylum Cnidaria (jellyfishes and anemones) Class Anthozoa (anemones and coral s)

Brown Anemone Aiptasia pallida Anthopleura varioarmata GRM Astrangia danae GRM

Tricolor Anemone Calliactis tricolor

Sea Tube Anemone Ceriantheopsis americanus Sea Whip Leptogorgia virgulata Sea Pansy Renilla reniformis Class Hydrozoa (hydras)

P ink

- hearted hydroid Ectopleura crocea ( Tubularia crocea ) Portugese man

- of

- war Physalia physalia119

Common Name Scientific Name
Class Scyphozoa (jellyfishes) Moon Jelly Aurelia aurita

Sea Nettle Chrysaora quinquecirrha

Lions' Mane Medusa Cyanea capillata Cannonball jellyfis h Stomolophus meleagris Phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies)

Beroe Beroe sp.

Sea Walnut Mnemiopsis leidyi Sea gooseberry Pleurobrachia pileus Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms)

Horseshoe Crab Worm Bdelloura candida Phylum Annelida (segmented worms)

Parchment Worm Chaetopterus variopedatus

Tube Worm Diopatra cuprea

Blood Worm Glycera americana Phylum Arthropoda ( spiders, insects, crustaceans)

Class Arachnida ( spiders, scorpions, mites) Grass spider Agelenopsis

Lone star tick Amblyomma am ericanum

Black

- &

- yellow argiope Argiope aurantia Black and yellow argiope Argiope aurantis Centruroides scorpion Centruroides spp. Florida Striped Bark Scorpion Centruroides Hentzi

Wood tick Dermacentor spp. Chigger/Redbug Eutrombicula spp.

Crablik e spiny orb weaver Gasteracantha spp. Brown Widow Spider Latrodectus geometricus Southern Black widow spider Latrodectus mactans Giant vinegarone Mastigoproctus giganteus Golden silk spider Nephila clavipes Green lynx spider Peucetia viridans

Bro wn daddy long legs Phalangium opilio Daring jumping spider Phidippus audax

Sub

- phylum Crustacea (shrimp, crabs, lobsters) Aviu Shrimp Acetes americanus carolinae Snapping Shrimp Alpheus heterochaelis Speckled Swimming Crab Arenaeus cribrarius

Pi llbug Armadillium spp. Square backed marsh crab Armases cinereum

Acorn Barnacle Semibalanus balanoides

Common Barnacle Balanus balanoides120

Common Name Scientific Name Ivory Barnacle Balanus eburneus

Barnacles Balanus spp.

Flame Box Crab Calappa flammea Carolina Ghost Shrimp Callichirus major

Red Blue Crab Callinectes bocourti

Ornate Blue Crab Callinectes ornatus

Blue crab Callinectes sapidus

Lesser blue crab Callinectes similis

Indo

- Pacific Swimming Crab Charybdis hellerii Gray Barnacle Chthamalus fragilis Striped Hermit Crab Clibanarius vittatus Say mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi

Atlantic sand crab Emerita talpoida

Flat Mud Crab Eurypanopeus depressus

Broadback Mud Crab Eurytium limosum Brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus Pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus duorarum

Scuds Gammarus spp.

Calico Crab Hepatus epheliticus

Smooth Mud Crab Hexapanopeus augustifrons Veined Shrimp Hippolysmata wurdemanni

Duck Barnacle Lepas anatifera Portly Spider Crab Libinia emarginata

Wharf Roach Ligia exotica White shrimp Pe naeus setiferus Lucifer faxoni Cinnamon river shrimp Macrobrachium acanthurus

Stone Crab Menippe spp.

Florida Stone crab Menippe mercenaria

Gulf Stone Crab Menippe adina
Neopanope texana sayi

Ghost crab Ocypode quadrata

Mottled Shore Crab Pachygrapsus transversus

Banded Hermit Crab Pagurus annulipes Long clawed hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus

Flat

- Clawed Hermit Crab Pagurus pollicaris

Hermit crab Pagurus spp. Daggerblade Grass shrimp Palaemonetes pugio Panaeid shrimp Panaeus spp

. Common Mud Crab Panopeus herbstii

Furrowed Mud Crab Panopeus occidentalis

Green Porchelain Crab Petrolisthes armatus Sea Spider Phoxichilidium femoratum121

Common Name Scientific Name

Tube Pea Crab Pinnixa chaetopterana

Pea crab Pinnixa retinens

Mussel Crab Pinnotheres macul atus Oyster Crab Pinnotheres ostreum Tidal Spray Crab Plagusia depressa

Eastern Tube Crab Polyonyx gibbesi Iridescent Swimming Crab Portunus gibbesii Sargassum Crab Portunus sayi Blotched Swimming Crab Portunus spinimanus Crayish Procambarus spp.

Estuarine Mud Crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii

Wharf Crab Sesarma cinereum Purple Marsh Crab Sesarma reticulatum

Beach fleas Talorchestia spp. Arrow Shrimp Tozeuma carolinense

Mussel Pea Crab Tumidotheres maculatus

Red

- Jointed Fiddler Uca minax

Sa nd fiddler crab Uca pugilator

Atlantic Marsh Fiddler Uca pugnax Coastal Mud Shrimp Upogebia affinis Oyster Pea Crab Zaops ostreum Class Insecta (insects) Green stink bug Acrosternum hilare

Luna moth Actias luna

Eastern salt marsh mosquito Aede s sollicitans Salt marsh mosquitos Aedes taeniorhynchus Virescent green metallic bee Agapostemon virescens Gulf fritillary Agraulis vanillae Pink spotted hawk moth Agrius cingulata Eastern eyed click beetle Alaus oculatus

White Peacock Anartia jatrophae Common green darner Anax junius

Comet darner Anax longipes Mosquito Anopheles Polyphemus moth Antheraea polyphemus Honeybee Apis mellifera Gray green clubtail Arigomphus pallidus

Great southern white Ascia monuste

Io moth Automeri s io Pipevine swallowtail Battus philenor Love bug Bibio

Bumblebee Bombus pensylvanicus Four spotted pennant Brachymesia gravida122

Common Name Scientific Name Fiery searcher Calosoma scrutator Black carpenter ant Camponotus pennsylvanicus Halloween pennant Celithemis eponi na Double ringed pennant Celithemis verna

Deerflies Chrysops Mosquito Coquillettidia

Goldsmith beetle Cotalpa lanigera

Sand flies Culicoides

Monarch Danaus plexippus Virginia creeper sphinx Darapsa myron

Cow killer Dasymutilla occidentalis Northern walking stick Diapheromera femorata Rosy maple moth Dryocampa rubicunda E. pond hawk Erythemis simplicicollis Blue dragonlet Erythrodiplax connata Little sulphur Eurema lisa Chigger Futrombicula spp.

Field cricket Gryllus pennsylvanicus Small whirligig beetle Gyrinus spp.

Ceraunus blue Hemiargus ceraunus Riparian earwig Labidura riparia

Silverfish Lepisma saccharina Giant waterbug Lethocerus americanus Marl pennant Macrodiplax balteata Tent caterpillar moth Malacosoma americ anum Freshwater mosquitos Mansonia spp.

American carrion beetle Necrophila americana

Northern mole cricket Neocurtilla hexadactyla

Roseate skimmer Orthemis ferruginea

Blue dasher Pachydiplax longipennis Wandering glider Pantala flavescens

Giant swallowtail Papilio cresphontes E. Tiger swallowtail Papilio glaucus

Palamedes swallowtail Papilio palamedes

American cockroach Periplaneta americana

Scarab beetle Phanaeus vindex Cloudless sulphur Phoebis sennae

Phaon crescent Phyciodes phaon Paper wasp Polistes spp.

Giant root borer Prionus spp.

Flood

- water Mosquito Psorophora spp. Black ground beetle Pterostichus spp. Brown water scorpion Ranatra fusca123

Common Name Scientific Name

Termite Reticulitermes flavipes

Termites Reticultermes flavipes SE. Lubber gra sshopper Romalea microptera Black/yellow mud dauber Sceliphron caementarium

Fire ant Solenopsis wagneri

Oleander moth Syntomeida epilais

Horseflies Tabanus spp. Violet masked glider Tramea carolina Common buckey Unonia coenia Long tailed skipper Urbanus proteus

Bella moth Utetheisa ornatrix bella American lady Vanessa virginiensis Yellowjacket Vespula spp. Carpenter bee Xylocopa virginica

Tersa moth Xylophanes tersa

Class Merostomata

Horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus Mantis shrimp Squilla empusa Class Gastropoda (snails)

Sea Hare Aplysia braziliana Striped Sea Slug Armina tigrina

False Cerith Batillaria minima

Variable Bittium Bittium varium

West Indian Bubble Bulla occidentalis Ragged Sea Hare Bursatella leachi

Knobb ed Whelk Busycon carica Lightning Whelk Busycon sinistrum Sculptured Top

- Shell Calliostoma euglyptum

Tinted Cantharus Cantharus tinctus

Ladder Horn Shell Cerithdea scalariformis

Miniature Cerith Cerithiopsis greeni

Florida Cerith Cerithium flori danum Spiny Slipper Shell Crepidula aculeata Atlantic Slipper Shell Crepidula fornicata Eastern White Slipper Shell Crepidula plana

Giant Atlantic Cockle Dinocardium robustum Keyhold Limpet Diodora cayenensis Angulate Wentletrap Epitonium angulatum Banded Tulip Fasciolaria hunteria True Tulip Fasciolaria tulipa Mortons Egg Cockle Laevicardium mortoni Marsh periwinkle Littorina irrorata

Zebra Periwinkle Littorina ziczac124

Common Name Scientific Name

Common Marsh Snail Melampus bidentatus

Saltmarsh snail Melampus coffeus

Crown Conch Melongena corona

Atlantic Modulus Modulus modulus

Mud snail Nassarius obsoletus

Eastern Nassa Nassarius vibex

Olive Nerite Neritina reclivata Virgin Nerite Neritina virginea Impressed Odostome Odostomia impressa

Olive Shell Oliva sayan a Variable Dwarf Olive Olivella mutica

Horse Conch Pleuroploca gigantea Shark Eye Polinices duplicatus

Miniature Cerith Seila adamsi False Limpet Siphonaria pectinata Terrestrial gastrpod Succinea campestris

Florida Rock Shell Thais haemastoma flo ridana

Black

- Lined Trifora Triphora nigrocincta

Chestnut Turban Turbo castaneus Atlantic Oyster Drill Urosalpinx cinerea Class Polyplacophora (chitons)

Eastern Chiton Chaetopleura apiculata Class Bivalvia (clams, mussels, oysters)

Common Atlant ic Abra Abra aequelis Paper Mussel Amygdalum papyria Greedy Dove

- Shell Anachis avara

Fat Dove

- Shell Anachis obesa

Transverse Ark Anadara transversa Jingle Shell Anomia simplex Zebra Turkey Wing Arca zebra

Sawtooth Pen Clam Atrina serrata Angel Wi ng Barnea costata

Scorched Mussel Brachidontes exustus

Hooked Mussel Brachidontes recurvus

Cross

- Barred Venus Chione cancellata

Conrad's False Mussel Congeria leucophaeata

Contracted Corbula Corbula contracta Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica

A ngelwing Clam Cyrtopleura costata Coquina clam Donax variabilis

Disk Dosinia Dosinia discus

Jackknife Clam Ensis minor

Razor clams Ensis spp.125

Common Name Scientific Name

Comb Bittersweet Glycymeris pectinata

Marsh Mussel Guekensia demissa

Ribbed mussel Ischadium demissum Mahogany Date Mussel Lithophaga bisulcata

Calico clam Macrocallista maculata Wedge

- Shaped Martesia Martesia cuneiformis Southern Quahog Mercenaria campechiensis Quahog Mercenaria mercenaria

Lunar Dove

- Shell Mitrella lunata

Dwarf Surf Clam Muli nia lateralis

Pondersous Ark Noetia ponderosa Crested Oyster Ostrea equestris

Carolina Marsh Clam Polymesoda caroliniana

Florida Marsh Clam Pseudocyrena floridana Common Rangia Rangia cuneata Purplish Tagelus Tagelus divisus Stout Tagelus Tag elus plebius

Rose Petal Tellin Tellina lineata Class Cephalopoda (squids and octopus) Squid Loligunculus brevis Atlantic Octopus Octopus vulgaris Phylum Bryozoa (Ectoprocta, moss animals) Zoobotryon vertic i llatum

Rubber b ryozoan Alcyonidium hauf fi Anguinella palmata Bugula ner i tina

Common s ea m at Membranipora tenuis Schizoporella errata Phylum Echinodermata

Common Starfish Asterias forbesi Margined Sea Star Astropecten articulatus

Lines Sea Star Luidea clathrata

Class Echnioid ea (sea urchins) Purple Spined Sea Urchin Arbacea punctulata

Variable Urchin Lytechinus variegatus

Sand Dollar Mellita quinquesperforata Class Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers) Common Thyone Thyone briatus Class Ophiuroidea (brittle stars)

A ngular brittle star Ophiothrix angul a ta Phylum Hemichordata (acorn worms)

Southern acorn worm Ptychodera bahamensis Phylum Chordata (vertebrates and126

Common Name Scientific Name
relatives) Class Ascidiacea (sea squirts)

Didemnum candidum Mangrove Tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata

Common s ea g rape Molgula manhattensis

P leated sea squirt Styela plicata Sea pork Amaroucium stellatum Class Cephalochordata (lancelets)

Caribean Lacelet Branchiostoma caribaeum

Sub

- phylum Vertebrate (vertebrates) Class Agnatha (jawless fishes) Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus Class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna

Bull shark Carcharhinus leucas Blacktip shark C archarhinus limbatus

Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus Southern Sting Ray Dasyatis americana Atlantic stingray Dasyatis sabina Smooth butterfly ray Gymnura micrura

Lemon Shark Negaprion brevirostris

Sand Shark Odontaspis taurus

Clearnose Ska te Raja eglanteria

Atlantic Guitarfish Rhinobatos lentiginosus Cownose ray Rhinoptera bonasus

Hammerhead sharks Shyrna spp. Scalloped Hammerhead Sphyrna lewini

Great Hammerhead Sphyrna mokarran

Bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo Super

- class Osteichthye s (bony fishes) Seargeant major Abudefduf saxatilis

Cowfish Acanthostracion quadricornis

Lined sole Achirus lineatus

Bonefish Albula vulpes Hickory shad Alosa mediocris

Filefish Aluterus spp.

Yellow bullhead Ameiurus natalis

Bowfin Amia calv a Striped anchovy Anchoa hepsetus Bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli Anchovy Anchoa spp.127

Common Name Scientific Name

Oscillated flounder Ancylopsetta quadrocellata

American Eel Anguilla rostrata Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus

Sea catfish Ariopsis felis S. stargazer As troscopus y

- graecum Gafftopsail catfish Bagre marinus Silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura Triggerfish Balistes spp. Frillfin goby Bathygobius soporator

Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus Yellow jack Carangoides bartholomaei Crevalle jack Cara nx hippos

Horse

- eye jack Caranx latus

Snook Centropomus undecimalis

Rock sea bass Centropristis philadelphica

Black sea bass Centropristis striata Atlantic spadefish Chaetodipterus faber Striped blenny Chasmodes bosquianus Florida blenny Chas modes saburrae Atlantic bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus Striped Burrfish Cilomycterus schoepfi Spotted whiff Citharichthys macrops Bay whiff Citharichthys spilopterus Common Dolphin Coryphaena hippurus Spotted sea trout Cynoscion nebulosus

Atl antic weakfish Cynoscion regalis Sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus Irish pompano Diapterus auratus Striped mojarra Diapterus plumieri

Balloon fish Diodon holocanthus Dwarf sand perch Diplectrum bivittatum Sand perch Diplectrum formosum Silver porgy Diplodus argenteus Spottail pinfish Diplodus holbrooki

Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum

Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense

Sharksucker Echeneis naucrates Ladyfish Elops saurus Nassau Grouper Ephinephelus striatus Goliath grouper Epin ephelus itajara Groupers Epinephelus spp.

Lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta Fringed flounder Etropus crossotus128

Common Name Scientific Name Silver jenny Eucinostomus gula Tidewater mojarra Eucinostomus harengulus Slender mojarra Eucinostomus jonesi Spotfin mojarra Eugerres plumieri Flying halfbeak Euleptorhamphus velox Little tunny Euthynnus alleteratus Golden topminnow Fundulus chrysotus

Marsh killifish Fundulus confluentus

Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus Striped/longnose killifis h Fundulus majalis Tiger shark Galeocerdo cuviera Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis Eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Yellowfin Mojarra Gerre cinereus

Skilletfish Gobiesox strumosus Violet goby Gobioides broussonetii Darter goby Gobionellus boleosoma Highfin goby Gobionellus oceanicus Freshwater goby Gobionellus shufeldti Emerald goby Gobionellus smaragdus Marked goby Gobionellus stigmaticus Naked goby Gobiosoma bosc Twoscale goby Gobiosoma longipala Code goby Gobiosoma robustum

Grunts Haemulon spp.

Scaled sardine Harengula jaguana

Least killifish Heterandria formosa

Lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus Barred blenny Hypleurochilus bermudensis

American halfbeak Hyporhamphus meeki Feather blenny Hypsoblennius hentz

Br own bullhead Ictalurus nebulosus FL. Flagfish Jordanella floridae Hairy blenny Labrisomus nuchipinnis

Trunkfish Lactophrys trigonus

Pinfish Lagodon rhomboides

Warmouth Lapomis gulosus

Banded drum Larimus fasciatus Spot Leiostomus xanthurus

Lo ngnose gar Lepisosteus osseus

Redbreasted sunfish Lepomis auritus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus129

Common Name Scientific Name

Redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus Stumpknocker Lepomis punctatus Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis Red Snapper Lutjanus campechanus Gray snapper Lutjanu s griseus Lane snapper Lutjanus synagris

Atlantic Manta Manta birostris Tarpon Megalops atlanticus Rough silvereside Membras martinica

Tidewater Silverside Menidia beryllina

Atlantic silverside Menidia menidia

Silverside Menidia spp. Whiting Menticirrhus americanus Gulf kingfish Menticirrhus littoralis Northern kingfish Menticirrhus saxatilis Clown goby Microgobius gulosus Green goby Microgobius thalassinus Opposum pipefish Microphis brachyurus

Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undula tus Largemouth bass Micropterus floridanus

Filefish Monacanthus spp. Striped mullet Mugil cephalus

White mullet Mugil curema Gag Myctoperca microlepis Speckled worm eel Myrophis punctatus

Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucus

Polka

- dot batfish Ogcocephalus cubifrons Leatherjack Oligoplites saurus Shrimp eel Ophichthus gomesi

Cusk

- eel Ophidion spp. Atlantic thread herring Opisthonema oglinum Oyster toadfish Opsanus tau Pigfish Orthopristis chrysoptera

Gulf flounder Paralichthys albig utta
Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus

S. flounder Paralichthys lethostigma

Broad flounder Paralichthys squamilentus

Harvest fish Peprilus paru Sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna

Mollies Poecilia spp.

Blackdrum Pogonias cromis

Bluefish Pom atomus saltatrix

Northern searobin Prionotus carolinus130

Common Name Scientific Name Striped searobin Prionotus evolans

Blackfin searobin Prionotus rubio Leopard searobin Prionotus scitulus Bighead searobin Prionotus tribulus Short bigeye Pristigenys alta

Cobia Rachycentr on canadum

Remora Remora remora

Bonito Sarda sarda Spanish sardine Sardinella aurita

Red drum Sciaenops ocellatus King Mackeral Scomberomorus cavalla Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus maculatus

Barbfish Scorpaena brasiliensis Spotted scorpionfish Scorpaena plumieri Bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus

Atlantic moonfish Selene setapinnis

Lookdown Selene vomer Amberjack Seriola dumerili

Florida Puffer Sphoerodies nephelus Northernpuffer Sphoeroides maculatus Southern puffer Sphoeroides nep helus Checkered puffer Sphoeroides testudineus

Great barracuda Sphyraena barracuda Guaguanche Sphyraena guachancho

Star drum Stellifer lanceolatus

Planehead filefish Stephanolepis hispida

Atlantic needlefish Strongylura marina

Redfin needlefi sh Strongylura notata Blackcheek tonguefish Symphurus plagiusa Dusky pipefish Syngnathus floridae N. pipefish Syngnathus fuscus Chain pipefish Syngnathus louisianae Gulf pipefish Syngnathus scovelli

Inshore lizardfish Synodus foetens Pompano Trachinotus carolinus

Permit Trachinotus falcatus Rough scad Trachurus lathami

Atlantic cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus

Southern hake Urophycis floridana Class Amphibia (frogs and salamanders)

Florida Cricket fro g Acris gryllus dorsalis

Mole salamander Ambystoma talpoideum131

Common Name Scientific Name

Oak toad Bufo quercicus

Southern Toad Bufo terrestris Greenhouse frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Dwarf salamander Eurycea quadradigitata

Narrow

- mouthed toad Gastrophryne carolinen sis Green tree frog Hyla cinerea Pine woods tree frog Hyla femoralis Barking treefrog Hyla gratiosa Squirrel tree frog Hyla squirella Striped newt Notophthalmus perstriatus Cuban tree frog Osteopilus septentrionalis Spring peeper Pseudacris cr ucifer Florida Chorus frog Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa Little grass frog Pseudacris ocularis Gopher Frog Rana capito Bullfrog Rana catesbeiana Pig frog Rana grylio Florida leopard frog Rana sphenocephala Eastern spadefoot Scaphiopus holbrook ii Class Reptilia (reptiles)

Florida cottonmouth Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis

Green anole Anolis carolinensis

Brown anole Anolis sagrei

Florida Softshell Turtle Apalone ferox

Six

- lined racerunne r Aspidoscelis sexlineatus Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta

Florida scarlet snake Cemophora coccinea

Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas Florida Snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina osceola

Florida cooter Chrysemys floridana Spotted Turtle Clem mys guttata
Black racer Coluber constrictor priapus

Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake Crotalus adamanteus

Chicken turtle Deirochelys reticularia

Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea Southern Ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus punctatus

East ern Indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi

Red rat snake Elaphe guttata

SE five

- lined skink Eumeces inexpectatus

Broad

- headed skink Eumeces laticeps

Eastern Mud snake Farancia abacura abacura Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus132

Common Name Scientific Name

Florida red belli ed turtle Grysemys nelsoni Mediteranian gecko Hemidactylus garnotii Striped mud turtle Kinosternon bauri

Florida Mud turtle Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri

Eastern Mud turtle Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum Eastern King snake Lampropeltis getu la getula Scarlet king snake Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides Kemp's Ridley Lepidochelys kempii Diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin centrata E. Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum flagellum

Coral Snake Micrurus fulvius

Fl. water snake Nerodia fasciata pictiventris Rough green snake Opheodrys aestivus

E. Glass lizard Ophisaurus ventralis

Corn snake Pantherophis guttata guttata

Yellow rat snake Pantherophis obsoleta quadrivittata FL. Redbelly turtle Pseudemys nelsoni

Peninsula cooter Pseudemys peninsularis

Pine woods snake Rhadinaea flavilata

Ground skink Scincella lateralis

Greater siren Siren lacertina Dusky pigmy rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius barbouri

FL. Box turtle Terrapene carolina bauri

Peninsula ribbon snake Thamn ophis sauritus nitae

E. Garter snake Thamnophis sirtalis

Yellow

- bellied slider Trachemys scripta

Florida softshell Apalone ferox Class Aves (birds) Cooper's hawk Accipiter cooperii Sharp

- shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus Spotted Sandpiper Actiti s macularia

Red

- winged Blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus

Wood Duck Aix sponsa Roseate Spoonbill Ajaia ajaja Saltmarsh Sharp

- tailed Sparrow Ammodramus caudacutus Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus Nelson's Sharp

- tailed Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni Grasshopper Sparrow Ammodramus savannarum

Northern Pintail Anas acuta American Widgeon Anas americana

Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata

Green

- winged Teal Anas crecca

Blue

- winged Teal Anas discors133

Common Name Scientific Name

Mottled Duck Anas fulvigula

Mallard Anas platyr hynchos

American black duck Anas ruprides

American black duck Anas ruprides

Gadwall Anas strepera Anhinga Anhinga anhinga American Pipit Anthus rubescens Water pipit Anthus spinoletta Florida Scrub Jay Aphelocoma coerulescens Fox sparrow Apsser ella iliaca Limpkin Aramus guarauna Ruby

- throated Hummingbird Archilochus colubris Great Egret Ardea alba

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis

Redhead Aythya americana Ring

- necked Duc k Aythya collaris Greater Scaup Aythya marila

Canvasback Aythya valisineria

Tufted Titmouse Baeolophus bicolor Cedar Waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum

American Bittern Botaurus lentiginosus

Brant Branta bernicla

Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Red

- tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis

Red

- shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus

Green Heron Butorides virescens Sanderling Calidris alba

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Red Knot Calidris canutus Western Sandpiper Calidris mauri Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

Chuck

- will's

- widow Caprimulgus carolinensis Whip

- poor

- will Caprimulgus vociferus

Northern Cardinal Cardinalis cardinalis

American Goldfinch Carduelis tristis Purple finch Carpodacus purpureus Turkey Vulture Cathartes aura134

Common Name Scientific Name
Veery Catharus fuscescens

Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus Gray

- cheeked Thrush Catharus minimus

Swainson's Thrush Catharus ustulatu s Willet Catoptrophorus semipalmatus Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus

Wilson's Plover Charadrius wilsoni a Snow Goose Chen caerulescens

Black Tern Chlidonias niger Lark Sparrow Chondestes grammacus Common Nighthawk Chordeiles minor

Northern Harrier Circus cyaneus

Marsh Wren Cistothorus palustris Sedge Wren Cistothorus platensis

Yellow

- billed C uckoo Coccyzus americanus

Northern Flicker Colaptes auratus

Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus Rock Pigeon Columbia livia

Common Ground

- Dove Columbina passerina

Eastern Wood

- Pewee Contopus virens

Black Vulture Coragyps altratus

American Cr ow Corvus brachyrhynchos

Fish Crow Corvus ossifragus Blue Jay Cyanocitta cristata

Tundra swan Cygnus columbianus

Black

- bellied Whistling Duck Dendrocygna autumnalis Fulvous Whistling

- Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

Black

- throated Blue Warbler Dendroica caerulescens Bay

- breasted Warbler Dendroica castanea

Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea

Yellow

- rumped Warbler Dendroica coronata

Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor

Yellow

- throated Warbler Dendroica dominica

Blackburnian Warbler Dendroica fusca

Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii Magnolia Warbler Dendroica magnolia

Palm Warbler Dendroica palmarum

Chestnut

- sided Warbler Dendroica pensylvanica

Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia135

Common Name Scientific Name

Pine Warbler Dendroica pinus Blackpoll Warbler Dendroic a striata Cape May Warbler Dendroica tigrina

Black

- throated Green Warbler Dendroica virens

Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Pileated Woodpecker Dryocopus pileatus Gray Catbird Dumetella carolinensis

Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea Reddish Eg ret Egretta rufescens Snowy Egret Egretta thula

Tricolored Heron Egretta tricolor

Swallow

- tailed Kite Elanoides forficatus

White Ibis Eudocimus albus

Merlin Falco columbarius Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

American Kestrel Falco sparverius Magnificent Frigate bird Fregata magnificens

American Coot Fulica americana Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago

Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Common Loon Gavia immer

Red

- throated Loon Gavia stellata

Common Yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas

Florida Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis pratensis

Blue Grosbeak Guiraca caerulea American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Worm

- eating Warbler Helmitheros vermivora

Black

- necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus

B arn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina

Baltimore Oriole Icterus galbula

Orchard Oriole Icterus spurius

Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis

Dark

- eyed Junco Junco hyemalis Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Herring Gull Lar us argentatus Laughing Gull Larus atricilla Ring

- billed Gull Larus delawarensis Lesser black backed gull Larus fuscus

Great Black

- backed Gull Larus marinus Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia

Short

- billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus136

Common Name Scientific Name
Long

- bil led Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus

Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa Hooded Merganser Lophodytes cucullatus Wild Turkey Melagris gallopavo

Red

- bellied Woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus

Red

- headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus

White

- winged Sc oter Melanitta fusca

Black Scoter Melanitta nigra

Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata Swamp Sparrow Melospiza georgiana Song Sparrow Melospiza melodia

Red

- breasted Merganser Mergus serrator Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

Black

- and

- whi te Warbler Mniotilta varia

Brown

- headed Cowbird Molothrus ater

Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Wood Stork Mycteria americana Great Crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus

Yellow

- crowned Night

- Heron Nyctanassa violacea

Black

- crowned Night

- Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Yellow crowned night heron Nycticorax violaceous

Wilson's Storm

- Petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Eastern Screech

- Owl Otus asio Ruddy Duck Oxyura jamaicensis Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Northern Parula Parul a americana House Sparrow Passer domesticus Savannah Sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis Painted Bunting Passerina ciris Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea

American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis

Doubl e

- crested Cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus

Rose

- breasted Grosbeak Pheucticus ludovicianus

Red

- Cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis Downy Woodpecker Picoides pubescens Hairy Woodpecker Picoides villosus

Eastern Towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus

Sca rlet Tanager Piranga olivacea Summer Tanager Piranga rubra Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus137

Common Name Scientific Name

Black

- bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola Horned grebe Podiceps auritus

Red

- necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena

Pied

- bil led Grebe Podilymbus podiceps

Carolina Chickadee Poecile carolinensis

Blue

- gray Gnatcatcher Polioptila caerulea Vesper Sparrow Pooecetes gramineus Purple Gallinule Porphyrula martinica

Sora Porzana carolina Purple Martin Progne subis

Prothono tary Warbler Protonotaria citrea

Boat

- tailed Grackle Quiscalus major

Common Grackle Quiscalus quiscula King rail Rallus elegans Virginia Rail Rallus limicola Clapper Rail Rallus longirostris

American Avocet Recurvirostra americana Ruby

- crowned Kinglet Regulus calendula

Golden

- crowned Kinglet Regulus satrapa

Black Skimmer Rynchops niger

Eastern Phoebe Sayornis phoebe

American Woodcock Scolopax minor

Ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus

Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla

Northern Wate rthrush Seiurus noveboracensis

American Redstart Setophaga ruticilla

Eastern Bluebird Sialia sialis

Red breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis

Brown

- headed Nuthatch Sitta pusilla

Yellow

- bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius Chipping Sparrow Spizella passerina Field sparrow Spizella pusilla Northern Rough

- winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis

Least Tern Sterna antillarum Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii

Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri

Common Tern Sterna hirundo Royal Tern Sterna maxima

Gull

- billed Tern Sterna nilotica

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis

Eurasian Collared

- Dove Streptopelia decaocto

Barred owl Strix varia138

Common Name Scientific Name

Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Northern ro ugh winged swallow Telgidopteryx serripennis

Carolina Wren Thryothorus ludovicianus

Brown Thrasher Toxostoma rufum

Tree Swallow Trachycineta bicolor Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes Greater Yellowlegs Tringa melanoleuca Solitary Sandpiper Tring a solitaria

House Wren Troglodytes aedon

American Robin Turdus migratorius Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis Eastern Kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus Western Kingbird Tyrannus verticalis

Barn Owl Tyto alba Orange

- crowned Warbler Vermivora celata

Golden

- winged Warbler Vermivora chrysoptera

Tennessee Warbler Vermivora peregrina

Blue

- winged Warbler Vermivora pinus

Nashville Warbler Vermivora ruficapilla

Yellow

- throated Vireo Vireo flavifrons

White

- eyed Vireo Vireo griseus

Red

- eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus

Blue

- headed Vireo Vireo solitarius

Hooded Warbler Wilsonia citrina

Wilson's Warbler Wilsonia pusilla Mourning Dove Zenaida macroura

White

- throated Sparrow Zonotrichia albicollis

White

- crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys

Cl ass Mammalia (mammals) Right whale Balaena glacialis

Short tail shrew Blarina brevicauda Rafinesque's Big

- Eared Bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii

Nine

- banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana Atlantic right whale Eub alaena glacialis Southeastern pocket gopher Geomys pinetis S. Flying squirrel Glaucomys volans Pygmy Sperm Whale Kogia breviceps

E. Red Bat Lasiurus borealis

River otter Lontra canadensis

Bobcat Lynx rufus Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae139

Common Name Scientific Name Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis

House mouse Mus musculus

Florida mink Mustela vison lutensis

Florida Mink Mustela vison mink S.E. Myotis Myotis austroriparius

Round tailed muskrat Neofiber alleni

Eastern woodrat Neotoma floridana

Seminole bat Nycteris seminolis

Golden mouse Ochrotomys nuttalli

White

- tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus

Marsh rice rat Oryzomys palustris

Cotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus gossypinus

Anastasia Island Beach Mouse Peromyscus polionotus phasma

Old field mous e Peromyscus polionotus polionotus

Florida mouse Podomys floridanus

Raccoon Procyon lotor Norway rat Rattus norvegicus

Black rat Rattus rattus

Eastern harvest mouse Reithrodontomys humulis

Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus Gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis Hispid cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus

Southeastern shrew Sorex longirostris Eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius Feral pig Sus scrofa

Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus

Marsh rabbit Sylvilagus palustris

West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus

Bottle

- nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Florida Black Bear Ursus americanus floridanus

Red fox Vulpes vulpes140



### APPENDIX B . LIST OF WATER QUALITY SAMPLING STATIONS

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 1 19.7998 81 19 41.3998 92SEAS600 Tip of Guana River at

dam 2320

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 0 2.3998 81 19 34.1998 92SEAS617 Smith's lease mid

- way up Guana River 2320

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 0 2.3998 81 19 34 .1998 92SEAS617 Smith's lease mid

- way up Guana River 2320

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 58 41.3998 81 19 20.3999 92SEAS205 Up Sombrero Creek as far as possible 2470

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 57.6 81 19 28.7998 92SEAS021 Northernmost marker

Lease 1088 in

XimaniesC. 2477

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 31.1998 81 20 8.9999 92SEAS010 W end of basin adjacent to St. Aug. Airport 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 43.7998 81 19 43.7999 92SEAS015 ICWW CM 48 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 56 6 81 18 25.7998 92SEAS065 Creek mouth E shore

north of ICWW C M 55 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 56 11.9998 81 18 45.5998 92SEAS081 Mouth of Robinson

Creek 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 56 25.8 81 18 49.7999 92SEAS091 Mouth of Pancho Creek 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 56 56.9998 81 18 38.3998 92SEAS111 Fishing pier E of

ICWW CM 52 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 28.8 81 18 54 92SEAS141 Creek on E shore north

of ICWW CM 51 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 20.9999 81 18 50.4 92SEAS145 ICWW CM 51 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 57 31.7999 81 19 32.3998 92SEAS161 Mouth of airport canal 2363I

FDACS 21 FLSEAS 29 58 34.7999 81 19 54.5999 92SEAS190 Mouth of Casa Cola

Creek 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 58 44.9998 81 19 40.1999 92SEAS200 Mouth of Sombrero

Creek 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 58 50.9999 81 19 43.1998 92SEAS201 Midway between #200

and Guana R. 2363I

FD ACS 21FLSEAS 29 58 25.7999 81 19 43.7999 92SEAS210 ICWW CM 47 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 3 40.2 81 21 22.2 92SEAS602 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 59 25.1999 81 19 46.7998 92SEAS606 ICWW CM 45 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 59 55.1998 81 19 55.2 92SEAS609 Mouth of cre ek on E

shore N of ICWW CM

44 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 59 45.6 81 19 57.5998 92SEAS610 ICWW CM 44 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 0 5.9998 81 20 37.1998 92SEAS612 ICWW CM 38 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 0 46.1999 81 20 56.4 92SEAS613 Mouth of Stokes Creek 2363I

FDAC S 21FLSEAS 30 1 21 81 20 55.7999 92SEAS614 Creek E of ICWW CM

35 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 1 47.3999 81 21 40.7999 92SEAS615 Spartina flats NE of

ICWW CM 33 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 59 4.7998 81 19 37.7998 92SEAS618 Mouth of Guana River 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEA S 30 2 13.2 81 21 54 92SEAS620 Midway between

ICWW CMs 28 & 29 2363I141

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 3 43.7998 81 22 13.1999 92SEAS621 W shore across from

ICWW CM 24 2363I

FDACS 21FLSEAS 30 1 50.3998 81 21 42.5999 92SEAS625 Up Capo Creek as far as possible 2363I

FDAC S 21FLSEAS 29 43 .5999 81 14 22.2 88SEAS011 Across from Fort

Matanzas at creek

mouth 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 43 7.1998 81 14 15 88SEAS012 Up creek from station

11 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 43 8.9998 81 14 46.7999 88SEAS100 CM 80A 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 4 6 1.7998 81 15 22.1998 88SEAS150 Marina south of SR 206 bridge 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 45 55.8 81 15 22.1998 88SEAS155 CM 60 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 45 27 81 15 23.9998 88SEAS183 West of CM 64 lease

55

- AQ

- 015 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 16.8 81 14 57.599 9 88SEAS187 Creek mouth west of

CM 75 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 22.7998 81 15 10.1999 88SEAS185 Up creek west of CM

75 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 43 35.9998 81 14 49.2 88SEAS010 Mouth of creek

southeast of CM 79 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 43 50.9999 81 14 38 .9998 88SEAS015 Up creek from station

10 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 42 40.1998 81 14 38.4 88SEAS189 Mouth of 2nd creek

southwest of CM 81C 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 45 10.1999 81 15 2.3998 88SEAS191 CM 70 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 42 32.9998 81 14 45.6 88SEAS1 74 Up creek from station

189 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 41 48.5999 81 13 49.8 88SEAS171 Mouth of creek

southwest of CM 83A 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 45 7.7998 81 14 58.7998 88SEAS050 South of Devils Elbow Fish Camp east shore 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 36.6 81 14 40.2 88SEAS030 Culvert south of boat ramp east of CM 72 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 34.8 81 14 43.8 88SEAS130 CM 72 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 13.7998 81 14 43.1999 88SEAS031 Mouth of creek east of

CM 75 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 44 7.8 81 14 40.2 88 SEAS032 Up creek from station

31 2363F

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 52 50.9999 81 16 53.9998 92SEAS777 Southernmost dock in

Salt Run mainland 2502A

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 52 32.3998 81 16 31.1999 92SEAS778 Salt Run between Jet Ski signs 2502A

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 52 12.59 98 81 16 27.5999 92SEAS774 Drainage ditch at S end

of Salt Run 2502A

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 52 57 81 16 46.7998 92SEAS773 Creek mouth E shore of

Salt Run 2502A

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 40 6.7199 81 13 .0599 88SEAS151 ICWW CM #87 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 41 48.5999 8 1 13 27.5999 88SEAS061 East of Summer Haven

at northwest turn 2363E142

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 42 .5998 81 13 44.9998 88SEAS055 Mouth of residential

canal south of inlet 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 40 40.8 81 13 22.8 88SEAS101 Mouth of creek

northwest of CM 86 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 40 32.3998 81 13 43.7999 88SEAS102 Upstream from station

101 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 40 58.1999 81 13 9.5999 88SEAS091 Tip of small island east

of Rattlesnake Is 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 40 33.6 81 13 14.3998 88SEAS105 ICWW @CM 86 near Flagler Co. line 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 41 42.5998 81 13 41.9999 88SEAS176 Culvert on west shore

of Summer Is 2363E

FDACS 21FLSEAS 29 41 10.1998 81 13 25.7999 88SEAS081 Mouth of creek

southwest of CM 85 2363E

FDEP 21FLA 29 59 4.8 81 19 15 27010148 ICW AT GUANA

RIVER 2320

FDEP 21FLA 30 1 18.2 81 19 37.7 27010169 GUANA LAKE

APPROX 50 YARDS S

OF DAM 2320

FDEP 21FLA 29 58 45.5 81 19 3.9 27010010 SOMBRERO CR AT N

BEND AB ICW 2470

FDEP 21FLA 29 58 41.7 81 19 22 27010054 SOMBRERO CR 50 M

BELOW FORK 2470

FD EP 21FLA 29 57 59 81 19 24.4 27010053 XMANIES CR @ 1st

SE BEND 2477

FDEP 21FLA 29 49 18.87 81 19 20.81 27010055 MOULTRIE CR @ US

1 2493

FDEP 21FLA 29 50 50.7 81 21 39 27010188 MOULTRIE CREEK

AT CR 207 2493

FDEP 21FLA 30 10 30 81 24 .5 20030445 ICW @ EAS T TO

WEST DITCH WEST

OF ROSCOE RD 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 9 39.6 81 23 54.8 20030446 ICW JUST SOUTH

PLANTATION

CANAL PALM

VALLEY 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 8 34.233 81 23 29.65 20030447 ICW WEST OF PALM

LANE ~ 0.8MI N

SR210 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 10 24.9 81 24 5.8 27 010124 ICW AT WARDS

LANDING 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 9 45.1 81 23 55.6 27010125 ICW JUST NORTH

PLANTATION

CANAL PALM

VALLEY 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 9 1.8 81 23 44.2 27010126 ICWW DK PAINTED

DPC #6 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 8 3.4 81 23 12.9 27010127 ICWW RED

CHANNEL MA RKER

#2 2363I143

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDEP 21FLA 30 7 39.9 81 22 57.1 27010128 CREEK 1/2 MILE

FROM BRIDGE

ICWW 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 6 1 81 22 2 27010145 ICWW St Johns #9 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 3 57 81 22 11.7 27010146 ICWW 10 MARKER

21 TOLOMATO

RIVER 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 1 58 81 2 1 55 27010147 ICWW St Johns #11

MARKER 30 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 9 39.8 81 22 37.6 27010167 PONTE VEDRA

LAKE AT MICKLERS

CUTOFF 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 0 46 81 20 56.7 27010172 STOKES CR AT

MOUTH 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 29 57 43.6 81 19 14.6 27010175 ICW @ UNNAMED

CR SE OF XIMANIES

CR 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 29 57 34.9 81 20 8.7 27010176 ST AUG AIRPORT

BASIN @ W

CULVERT 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 29 57 29 81 19 36 27010177 ICW @ DITCH SE OF

AIRPORT 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 30 1 41.9 81 21 45.8 27010202 ICW AT CM 32 2363I

FDEP 21FLA 29 42 15.1 81 14 1.5 27010098 ICWW AT CHANNEL

CUT TO MATANZAS 2363F

FDEP 21FLA 29 49 50 81 18 4 27010155 INTRACOASTAL

WATERWAY AT

EAST CREEK 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 58 81 18 18 27010154 INTRACOASTAL

WATERWAY AT STP

II OUTFALL 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 52 27 81 18 15 27010153 INTRACOASTAL

WATERWAY AT

OUTFALL OF STP 1 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 53 8.4 81 18 18.6 27010139 MATANZAS R 1/2 MI

S OF BRIDGE 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 26.8 81 18 40 27010140 MATANZAS R BY

CHANNEL MARKER

NO 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 58.8 81 18 32.3 27 010200 ICW 100 FT. SOUTH

OF SR 312 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 10.1 81 18 12.1 27010158 ICW AT ASD WWTP

POD 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 50 48.8 81 17 59.6 27010157 ICW AT CM 21 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 52 33.3 81 18 30 27010162 ST AUGUSTINE

WWTP #1 EFF. 2363G1

FDEP 2 1FLA 29 51 25.9 81 18 44.2 27010201 ICW AT CM 17 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 52 46.4 81 18 11.6 27010161 ICW AT CM 12 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 52 4.2 81 18 23.5 27010160 ICW 50 FEET NORTH

OF SR 312 2363G1144

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 11.2 81 18 24.3 27010159 ICW AT CM 18 2363 G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 51 21.7 81 17 29.6 27010164 ANASTASIA

SANITARY

DISTRICT WWTP

EFF 2363G1

FDEP 21FLA 29 52 49.8 81 16 48.6 27010137 SALT RUN

OFFSHORE FROM

ANASTASIA 2502A

FDEP 21FLA 30 4 4.4 81 23 18.1 27010190 DEEP CREEK AT TRAIL (WOODEN)

BRIDGE 2406

F DEP 21FLA 30 3 26.7 81 22 47.9 27010166 DEEP CR AT

SWEETWATER CR 2406

FDEP 21FLA 29 39 36.4 81 13 .2 27011115 MARINELAND R/O

WATER PLANT EFF 2363E

FDEP 21FLA 29 39 32.2 81 13 2.6 27010143 ICW S OF

MARINELAND 2363E

FDEP 21FLA 29 39 40.6 81 13 2.9 2701014 2 ICW N OF

MARINELAND 2363E

FDEP 21FLA 29 39 12 81 13 5 27010100 ICWW MARKER 94

AT PELLICER CR CO 2363E

FDEP 21FLA 29 40 7 81 13 2 27010099 ICWW MARKER 87

AT MARINELAND 2363E

FDEP 21FLGW 29 53 18.474 81 22 14.886 14799 SJB

- SL

- 1003

WILSONS PIT 2493

FDEP 21FLGW 29 50 49.937 81 21 38.914 21201 MTC 2493

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 58 25.02 81 19 44.28 ST.

- STJ1

- 417 St. Johns

- STJ1

- 417 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 58 25.68 81 19 43.32 ST.

- STJ1

- 428 St. Johns

- STJ1

- 428 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 58 26.7 81 19 46.02 ST.

- STJ1

- 445 St . Johns

- STJ1

- 445 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 56 54.54 81 18 45.9 ST.

- STJ2

- 909 St. Johns

- STJ2

- 909 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 56 54.6 81 18 45.24 ST.

- STJ2

- 910 St. Johns

- STJ2

- 910 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 56 55.02 81 18 46.74 ST.

- STJ2

- 917 St. Johns

- STJ2

- 917 2363I

FDE P 21FLKWA

T 29 55 16.5 81 18 9.42 ST.

- STJ3

- 275 St. Johns

- STJ3

- 275 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 55 17.7 81 18 8.88 ST.

- STJ3

- 295 St. Johns

- STJ3

- 295 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 55 18.42 81 18 8.94 ST.

- STJ3

- 307 St. Johns

- STJ3

- 307 2363I

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 42 37.62 81 14 3 2.28 ST.

- STJ14

- 627 St. Johns

- STJ14

- 627 2363F

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 42 37.32 81 14 32.34 ST.

- STJ14

- 622 St. Johns

- STJ14

- 622 2363F

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 44 5.34 81 14 49.5 ST.

- STJ13

- 089 St. Johns

- STJ13

- 089 2363F145

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 42 39.3 81 14 33.6 ST.

- STJ14

- 655 St. Johns

- STJ14

- 655 2363F

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 44 5.28 81 14 48.6 ST.

- STJ13

- 088 St. Johns

- STJ13

- 088 2363F

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 44 4.56 81 14 49.5 ST.

- STJ13

- 076 St. Johns

- STJ13

- 076 2363F

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 50 20.64 81 18 3.12 ST.

- STJ6

- 344 St. Johns

- STJ6

- 344 2363G1

FD EP 21FLKWA

T 29 50 19.14 81 18 5.46 ST.

- STJ6

- 319 St. Johns

- STJ6

- 319 2363G1

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 50 18.9 81 18 5.04 ST.

- STJ6

- 315 St. Johns

- STJ6

- 315 2363G1

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 51 59.1 81 18 24.48 ST.

- STJ5

- 985 St. Johns

- STJ5

- 985 2363G1

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 51 57.9 81 18 24.3 ST.

- STJ5

- 965 St. Johns

- STJ5

- 965 2363G1

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 51 56.52 81 18 24.72 ST.

- STJ5

- 942 St. Johns

- STJ5

- 942 2363G1

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 41 4.08 81 13 22.98 ST.

- STJ15

- 068 St. Johns

- STJ15

- 068 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 41 43.62 81 13 27.3 ST.

- STJ15

- 727 S t. Johns

- STJ15

- 727 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 24.7 81 12 12.7 FLA

- AVALON

- 3 Flagler

- Avalon

- 3 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 24.7 81 12 12.7 FLA

- AVALON

- 2 Flagler

- Avalon

- 2 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 28.9 81 11 45.2 FLA

- SEAVISTA

1 Flagler

- Sea Vista

- 1 2363E

FDEP 2 1FLKWA

T 29 37 26 81 11 47.88 FLA

- MEDFORD

2 Flagler

- Medford

- 2 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 26 81 11 47.88 FLA

- MEDFORD

1 Flagler

- Medford

- 1 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 24.7 81 12 12.7 FLA

- AVALON

- 1 Flagler

- Avalon

- 1 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 38 54.4 81 12 19.6 FLA

- L AKESIDE

3 Flagler

- Lakeside

- 3 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 39 2.7 81 12 30.6 FLA

- LAKESIDE

2 Flagler

- Lakeside

- 2 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 39 8.4 81 12 29.1 FLA

- LAKESIDE

1 Flagler

- Lakeside

- 1 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 49.68 81 12 39 FLA

- FLG2

- 828 Flagler

- FLG2

- 828 236 3E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 39 16.62 81 13 9 FLA

- FLG1

- 277 Flagler

- FLG1

- 277 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 39 16.56 81 13 5.22 FLA

- FLG1

- 276 Flagler

- FLG1

- 276 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 39 15.48 81 13 6 FLA

- FLG1

- 258 Flagler

- FLG1

- 258 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 28.9 81 11 45.2 FLA

- SEAVISTA

2 Flagler

- Sea Vista

- 2 2363E146

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 31.44 81 11 42.9 FLA

NANTUCKET

- 3 Flagler

- Nantucket

- 3 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 31.44 81 11 42.9 FLA

NANTUCKET

- 2 Flagler

- Nantucket

- 2 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 31.44 81 11 42.9 FLA

NANTUCKET

- 1 F lagler

- Nantucket

- 1 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 50.58 81 12 41.16 FLA

- FLG2

- 843 Flagler

- FLG2

- 843 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 37 50.4 81 12 40.44 FLA

- FLG2

- 840 Flagler

- FLG2

- 840 2363E

FDEP 21FLKWA

T 29 38 17.04 81 12 58.86 FLA

- FLG5

- 284 Flagler

- FLG5

- 284 2363E

FDEP 2 1FLKWA

T 29 41 6.06 81 13 22.68 ST.

- STJ15

- 101 St. Johns

- STJ15

- 101 2363E

FDOH 21FLDOH 29 51 56.8742 81 16 10.4786 St Johns244 FL300583 2502A

FMRI 21FLFMRI 30 5 24 81 21 36 HAL200101 Halifax

- Tolomato

River 2363I

FMRI 21FLFMRI 29 59 24 81 19 48 HAL200102 Halifax

- Tolomato

River 2363I

FMRI 21FLFMRI 29 57 0 81 18 36 HAL200103 Halifax

- Tolomato

River 2363I

FMRI 21FLFMRI 30 7 12 81 22 12 HAL200128 Halifax

- SE Side CR

210 2363I

FMRI 21FLFMRI 29 43 48 81 14 24 HAL200106 Halifax

- Intracoastal Waterway 2363 F

FMRI 21FLFMRI 29 52 48 81 16 48 HAL200104 Halifax

- Salt Run 2502A

GTMNERR 21FLGTM 30 3 3 81 22 3 GTMPINUT Pine Island Channel

Marker 25 2363I

GTMNERR 21FLGTM 29 44 13.2 81 14 45.6 GTMFMNUT Matanzas River

Channel Marker 75 2363F

GTMNERR 21FLGTM 29 52 6 81 18 16.8 GTMSSNUT San Sebastian &

Matanzas River

confluence Channel

Marker 1 2363G1

GTMNERR 21FLGTM 29 40 9 81 15 22.2 GTMPCNUT Pellicer Creek 2580A

SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 30 1 15.17 81 19 38.19 GAR GUANA RIVER 100

meters south of the

Dam 2320

* SJRWMD 21F LSJWM 29 49 40 81 18 46 MCICW MOULTRIE CREEK

OFF ICWW 2493

* SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 29 50 49.94 81 21 38.91 MTC Moultrie Creek @ SR

207 2493

SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 29 53 18.474 81 22 14.886 SJB

- SL

- 1003 WILSONS PIT 2493

SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 29 59 5 81 19 42 JXTR17 Confluenc e of

Tolomato and Guana

Rivers

- ICWW 2363I

SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 30 5 25 81 22 15 SMITHSCR Smith's Creek 2363I

* SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 30 3 43.86 81 22 9.03 TOL TOLOMATO R 1 MI

N DEEP CR @

SPANISH LNDG 2363I147

Organization

Name ID Latitu de Longitude Station ID Station Name WBID

* SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 29 51 58.28 81 18 21.27 MR312 MATANZAS R IVER

AT CR 312 2363G1

* SJRWMD 21FLSJWM 29 39 53 81 13 5 MRT Confluence of Pellicer

Creek and ICWW 2363E

*Primary SJRWMD Stations148



### APPENDIX C. BIOLOGICAL A ND WATER QUALITY DATA A ND

SAMPLES AVAILABLE FOR T HE G TMNERR, FROM T HE

UNIVERSITY O F FLORIDA ( Revise d April 17, 2008 )

Contact Person: Nikki Dix, graduate student

7922 N.W. 71 st Street Dept. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences University of Florida Gainesville, Florida 32653

Phone: 352

- 392

- 9617 Ext. 248

E

- mail: dixnikki@hotmail.com

1) Month ly grab sampling Monthly grab samples were collected at four stations within the Reserve. These samples were taken at the four principal datasonde stations (Pine Island, San Sebastian, Fort Matanzas and Pellicer Creek). Samples were analyzed for nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations as well as water clarity characteristics. In addition, aliquots of the monthly grab samples were separately preserved for plankton analyses. See Reserve nutrient metadata report for details.

2) Diel sampling Diel samplin g was carried out at the Pellicer Creek site generally during the same time periods as the monthly grab samples. All water samples were collected automatically at 2.5 hour intervals for a 25 hour (lunar day) period using an ISCO sampler. Samples were proc essed for nutrients, chlorophyll, and water clarity in the same manner as described for the grab samples.

In addition to monthly diel sampling at Pellicer Creek, ISCO samplers were set up on docks at other locations throughout theReserve.

Dates Station Locations

8/23

- 8/24/2005 St. Augustine Inlet

- private dock

8/23

- 8/24/2005 Matanzas Inlet

- fort dock

9/13

- 9/14/2005 San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine dock

10/4

- 10/5/2005 Matanzas River

- private dock

12/7

- 12/8/2005 Matanzas Inlet

- fort doc k

2/13

- 2/14/2006 St. Augustine Inlet

- private dock

2/13

- 2/14/2006 San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine dock

4/23

- 4/24/2007 Matanzas River

- private dock

4/23

- 4/24/2007

10/4

- 10/5/2007

10/4

- 10/5/2007 San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine doc k

Matanzas River

- private dock

San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine dock

3) Spatial nutrient sampling Grab samples were collected at 41 stations within the GTM near the San Sebastian and Fort Matanzas water quality stations. Samples were analyze d for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and turbidity. In the field, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were measured at the bottom, middle, and surface of the water column. Spatial nutrient surveys will be continued149

approximately every four mon ths through 2008.

Dates Station Locations
2/22/2007, 6/28/2007,

10/4/2007 Matanzas region, south of 206 bridge to Summerhaven (20 stations)

2/23/2007, 6/29/2007,

10/5/2007 San Sebastian region, south of Bridge of Lions, up San Sebastian River, and sou th to Moultrie and East Creeks (21 stations)

4) Periphyton sampling Periphyton collection trays were tied to docks and channel markers throughout the GTM and left to float just under the surface of the water for various time periods corresponding to diel water quality sampling events. Samples were processed for chlorophyll a and biomass (i.e., dry weight

and ash

- free dry weight).

Dates Station Locations

8/2 2

- 9 / 1 /2005 Matanzas Inlet

- fort dock

10 /3

- 10 / 10 /2005 Matanzas River

- private dock

10 /3

- 10 / 10 /2005 Pellicer Creek

- Faver Dykes dock

1 1 / 1 4

- 1 1/28 /2005 Pellicer Creek

- Faver Dykes dock

1 1 / 22

- 12/ 20 /2005 Matanzas Inlet

- fort dock

2/13

- 3/14/2006 San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine dock

4 / 2 3

- 5 / 15 /200 7 San Sebastian River

- St. Augustine Marine dock

4 / 2 3

- 5 / 4 /200 7

3/10

- 3/24/2008 Matanzas River

- private dock

Matanzas River

– channel marker #74

5) Infauna sampling Infaunal organisms were collected with petite ponar grabs at various locations near the GTM San

Sebastian and Fort Matanzas w ater quality stations. Samples were sieved and sorted at the lab and preserved for identification. Presently, organisms in all samples from three of the five stations have been identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level.

Dates Station Locations

2/23/2007 29°49‟49.9”N 81°18‟0.2”W

– mouth of East Creek

6/7/2007 29°44‟16.2”N 81°14‟52.9”W

– west side of ICW near marker #75

6/7/2007 29°42‟39.9”N 81°13‟53.2”W

– mud flat between Fort Matanzas and

Matanzas Inlet

6/8/2007 29°52‟40.0”N 81°18‟55.7”W

– San Sebastian River across from St.

Augustine Marine

6/8/2007 29°52‟07.7”N 81°18‟29.2”W

– south side of San Sebastian River near the

mouth

6) Sediment grain size analysis Sediment was collected with three replicate petite ponar grabs at the infauna sampling stations. In the lab, sediment was sieved to determine grain size composition.150

7) Oyster community sampling Oysters were collected from 0.25

- m 2 quadrats by hand at 8 reefs near the GTM San Sebastian and Fort Matanzas water quality stations d uring February 2008. Living oysters were classified by size to be used in density measurements. Condition indices will be measured for a subset of oysters from each collection quadrat. Percent cover of living oysters was also determined in the

field at six 1.0

- m 2 quadrats per transect (one transect at the highest elevation and one at the lowest elevation of each reef). Additional reefs will be sampled in the summer of 2008.151



### APPENDIX D

. ADDITIONAL SCIENTIFIC STUDIES A ND REFERENCES

RELEVANT TO THE GTMNER R

The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, F.S. § 253.03 (1967).

Deagan, K . 1978 . Cultures in Transition: Fusion and Assimilation among the Eastern Timuca. Pp.89

- 119 In J. T. Milanich and S. Proctor, eds., Tacachale

-- Essays on the In dians of Florida and Southeast Georgia. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville.

Deagan, K . 1981 . Downtown Survey: The Discovery of Sixteenth

- Century St. Augustine in and

Urban Area. American Antiquity. 46 ( 3 ).

Deagan, K. 1987 . Artifacts of the Spanis h Colonies of Florida and the Caribbean 1500

- 1800, Vol. 1. Ceramics, Glassware and Beads. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. 244 pp.

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