Gulf of Mexico - St. Marks
What does the ecosystem look like?
Muddy
Sandy
Island-like
Gushy
Wet
Dark water (murky)
Limestone-filled
Grassy
Dry dirt
Many plants
Windy
Sunny
Salty
Open
Still water on estuary side
Salty smell
What animals live in the ecosystem?
Alligators
Blue crabs
Pelicans
Periwinkle snails
Oysters
White Ibis
Butterflies
Hermit crabs
Dolphins
Fish
Cormorant
Egret
Red robin
Jellyfish
Turtle
Deer
Garfish
Great Blue Heron
Fiddler crab
Seagulls
Beach fleas
Dragonflies
Horseshoe crabs
What plants live in the ecosystem?
Cactus
Pine trees
Oak trees
Palm trees
Flowers
Goldenrod
Cord grass
Algae
Palmetto bushes
Cabbage palm
Red cedar
What is unique about the ecosystem?
Peaceful
Marshy
Open
Quiet
Big space
Different animals
Sandy
Salt water
Deep water
Is the ecosystem endangered and why?
Trash
Over-fishing
Oil spills
Dead zones
Fertilizers
Sewage
Wakulla Springs
What does the ecosystem look like?
Cypress trees
Sandy bottom
Wet
Limestone
Deep and shallow
Lots of wildlife
Cold water
River grass
Stumps (cypress knees)
Islands
Clear water
Jungle-like
Moving water
Big
Connected to other rivers
Started by an underground spring
What animals live in this ecosystem?
Birds:
Coots
Moorhens
Anhingas
Great Blue Heron
Little Blue Heron
Black Vultures
White Ibis
Snowy Egret
Mallard Ducks
Wood Ducks
Alligators
Manatees
Catfish
Suwannee Cooter Turtles
Mullet
Bass
Minnows
Snakes
Apple Snails
Deer
River Otters
What plants live in this ecosystem?
Algae
Palm Trees
Lily Pads
Cypress Trees
Dahun Holly
Spanish moss
River grass
Hydrilla
What is unique about the ecosystem?
Underground limestone caves
Clear water
Volume of water coming out of the spring
Spring in shape of tornado
Wildlife unafraid of people
Is the ecosystem endangered and why?
Pollution
Oil spills from cars
Sewage
Fertilizers
Motor boats
Trash
Invasive species (Hydrilla)