Blog Term- Project Site Sand Key Park

   The project site choice was Sand Key park.  Sand Key park was our project choice due to the various distinct ecosystems within the park.  We decided to focus on two of the ecosystems in the park- a beach ecosystem and a artificial reef ecosystem.  Both ecosystems offer varying plant and animal life, as well as show different relationships between human interaction within the ecosystem.

  The first visit was to the beach on October 8th, 2015. It was 81 degrees and the humidity was 695.  It was slightly windy, however primary sunny with a nice breeze.

The ecosystem was very similar to the beach dune system seen at Clearwater beach.

Common plants seen were: Palms, Mangroves, Sea Oats, Sandspurs,and East Coast Dune flowers.

Also seen on the sea walls were a variety of fish and algae eaters, and algae.

Common animals seen were snake holes, Beatles (many on the seawall), a pufferfish seen swimming, various types of egrets (snowy, white, etc), dead sponge, pigeons, seagulls, pelicans, fire ants,&calcareous sponges.

Compared to Clearwater beach, the distinction between sand dunes differed greatly.  There was a vary small amount of primary dunes compared to the life on the secondary dunes in Sand Key Park, while Clearwater beach had a great deal of plant life within the primary dunes.

The second visit to Sand Key park was to the Artificial Reef. At the artificial reef, fishermen and fisher-families (mostly Northerners, Canadians) were plentiful due to the great deal of fish within the artificial reef.  It was 86 degrees, with a 51% humidity.  It was partly cloudy, with a nice breeze. This visit occurred on October 22nd.

  Commonly caught fish included: Flounder, spotted trout, mangrove snapper, rock fish, lady fish, mackerel, and jack fish.

  There was also a number of long-necked birds such as egrets, pigeons, and gulls.