Clearwater Beach Profile

September 25, 2014

Environmental Conditions: ~88 degrees Fahrenheit; 90% cloud cover; slight onshore breeze
System: Municipal beach, heavily managed

Purpose: To construct a beach profile of Clearwater Beach Dunes

Our class met just north of The Palm Pavilion on Clearwater Beach at 2pm to learn about dune systems. We were there to take measurements for our beach profile, view plant species that inhabit dune systems and enjoy the outdoors.

Best photo op of the dunes at this location

Dr. Goergen pointing out the Sea Oat root system

Our group got to work right away taking measurements at our section of the beach. We started at the beginnings of a new dune where a few Sea Oats had taken root.

A new beginning...The Baby Dune

Results of our data collection:


After collecting our data, we then took a northward walk through the dunes to observe the plant species living there. Dr. Goergen lectured on several different species and highlighted their most important characteristics. Among the plants observed were: Sea Oats, Pennywort, Beachmat, Poorman's Patch, Railroad Vine (no "Teddy Bear-like" seeds seen this time), and...

Beauty (Dune Sunflower)

and The Beast (Sandspur)

Among the many interesting treasures seen while we explored the beach, a few of my favorites were the red algae, a poor little piece of coral and coquina found by classmates:

This was my most favorite!

The Lone Coral

Thanks for sharing, Shawn!

After we were done exploring, the class engaged in some beach cleanup as we made our way back to the parking lot. Despite daily grooming, Clearwater Beach has a lot of litter and we did our part by taking some of it off the beach. It was a fun day and I will be returning to the site to observe the dunes soon!