Wall
Springs was last week’s field trip. On
this field trip, we examined the fresh-water spring’s ecosystem and wildlife,
as well as the bayou ecosystem that surrounded the spring. We also went to observe its Karst topography.
The spring was once a commonly swam at resort in the 1950’s, however has now
become a preserved ecosystem.
It was
82 degrees Fahrenheit, 60% humidity, and cloud coverage was 30-40%. It was a nice, breezy day. The spring’s salinity was at 2, with pH being
at a 7. Most of the spring was emerged
at the surface with duckweed. Ducks and
other animals can be seen swimming above the surface, with the duckweed being a
common landing spot for insects as well.
Seeing the duckweed’s massive amount of spring coverage created an ‘astro-turf’
like illusion.
In
areas where duck-weed is not visible on the spring, the water is very easily to
see through. The front of the spring has
a silhouette resembling a women’s face.
This silhouette was used as an advertising piece due to a myth spread
claiming that explorer’ Ponce De Leon’ discovered this silhouette when discovering
Florida, and claimed the silhouette resembled his wife.
Around
the springs were mangroves, palm trees, sand-spurs, and other commonly found
Florida plants. There was also a number
of invasive animals and plants living within the park. The mangroves around the spring were
connected to connected bayous of the spring, which were more brackish
water.
There
was a tunnel connecting the water from the bayou area to the spring. The bayou water had a 16/17 salinity, with pH
being at a 6. Black, White, and Red
mangroves could be seen near the bayous.
-A picture of a white mangrove
Fish seen in the bayou included a needlefish, and several
large brown fish.
At bridge #2, a large mullet was seen. Salinity was tested at a 25. There were many horseshoe crabs seen at this
area of the bayou.
Seen near the bayou was a Brazilian Pepper. (Not actually a
pepper)
Also seen throughout the park was Spanish moss.
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