The sand of Florida's beaches consists of organically composed particles of rock, coral and shells that have been softened by winds, tides, waves and currents. Animals and plants living near the ocean must be hardy to withstand the constant natural forces of the ocean. Plants such as sea oats have adapted to salt spray, saltwater flooding, wind, storms, heat and dryness. The roots of sea oats stabilize dunes by holding the sand together. These plants are are so important to the beach environment that the removal of them is against the law.
Animals making their home on the beach include sea turtles, rodents and birds.
Their main job is to prevent beach erosion by keeping the sand from blowing or washing away with a storm. Erosion occurs when the beach is worn away by natural forces such as rising sea levels or artificial forces such as shoreline construction. Florida's sand beaches are losing an estimated 15,000 cubic yards a year to erosion. Coastal strands are found between beaches and dunes but are endangered stretches found only along Florida's east coast. This type of habitat contains woody vegetation such as palmettos and cabbage palms and animals such as gopher tortoises and beach mice.