Most of KSC is on northern Merritt Island, a barrier island complex with the adjacent Cape Canaveral. The diversity of wildlife on KSC is attributable to the variety of upland and wetland habitats, proximity to the coast, and migratory birds. Water movement in the lagoons near KSC is dominated by wind driven circulation. 1 m. Salinities vary from greater than 35 ppt to fresh water at drainage outfalls and some creeks. A narrow strip of dune and coastal strand occurs adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.
Forests occur on higher areas among marshes and lower areas among scrub and pine flatwoods .
The climate is warm and humid. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 21C in January to 31C in July. English colonization and Spanish retrogression involved some draining and diking, limited live oak and pine logging, and some plantation farming. After the Civil War, railroad establishment led to permanent towns associated with the citrus industry. Logging of virgin pine became prevalent.