Date of trip: 10/28/15
Temperature: 84 degrees F
Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy- 7% cloud coverage
Breeze 6mph WNW
Objective: Observe Karst Topography of Florida and native habitat adaptions.
The spring is located with in Tarpon Springs Florida. The spring was once used as a recreational pool with a bath house. It is a 210 acre park with a high pine grass land (entrance) and estuaries.
The spring itself releases 3,00 gallons of water per minute.
While at the mouth of the spring there were several species present such as an anhinga, mottled duck and mallard ducks. Along the edging of the spring there was emergent vegetation. At the mouth of the spring we tested the Salinity and the pH. Salinity was 2-3 ppt and the pH was 7.
As we proceed along the man made path the habitat transitioned into and estuary/buoy, and the plant life changes as well. In the buoy there was Red, Black and White mangroves present.
Above is the picture of a black mangrove with its distinctive pneumatophores which are used to help the mangrove intake oxygen.
While in the buoy we again tested the water for salinity and pH. The salinity was 16-17ppt (much higher than the springs) and the pH was 6. Like the majority of habitats this park is facing invasive species such as the air potatoe and the Brazilian pepper, see below.
This park is very interesting as you can clearly see the transition from one habitat to the next. I would consider this a healthy ecosystem as there was a vast amount of vegetation as well as animal diversity.
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