Lover's Key State Park #2

Visiting Lovers Key State park was a phenomenal experience. I have never been there before and it was really neat seeing everything there for my first time. I have visited parks in my past but this one was not like anything I have ever seen before. I went to Lovers Key State Park early in the morning. It was quiet and you can hear the noises of much wildlife.

This park became protected when humans wanted to change much of it. Altering mangrove areas, dredging a canal were some of the actions human’s wanted to perform. The preparations for development would damage the islands. When discussing mangroves and estuaries environments they are perfectly made for each other.

The estuary is made up of a mixture of fresh and salt water also known as “brackish” water. In the estuaries the mangroves serve as a nursery for the oysters, crabs etc. It serves as a home for these organisms. The topography and surface features affect the plant and animal species by which organisms adapt to each area. They are all different. For example on the beach the elevation gets higher. Sea turtles nest on higher ground so the nest is not ruined by the ocean. There are animals that live in moist areas and some live in dry.

Organisms live in the many different environments at Lover’s Key. The water quality in Lovers Key is a vital ingredient to the habitat. I asked a park ranger about it and she said “Water quality is very important. We have people who go out in the field and collect water samples every day. This keeps us informed of bacteria. With terrible water quality, the estuaries have a difficult time living”.

Five tree species I saw were mangroves, red, black and white, bald cypress, dogwood, live oak and red oak. Five non-woody plants were, smooth cordgrass, spanish moss, eel grass, poison ivy and the narrow-leaved cattail. And five animal species I saw were the pelican, roseate spoonbill, florida fighting conch,snook and the black headed gull. There were dragon fly’s too. This park is unique to me because it is called Lover’s Key. Lovers used to come out to this secret beach for a romantic get away.