In Part 1 (of 2) of RiverTrek 2012, eleven paddlers head down the Apalachicola River. Within the first two days, they find themselves climbing down into caves and scaling bluffs as they get to know the area around the river as well.
gulf of mexico
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ArcheologyNative CultureSeagrasses and Sand Flats
Shells, Buried History, and the Apalachee Coastal Connection
Have you ever found oyster shells in the dirt of your backyard? If you have and you live in Tallahassee’s Myers Park neighborhood, then you might be looking at the remains of a powerful native village that rose to prominence over 500 years ago.
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What’s not to love about oysters? They clean the water, they’re delicious, and they have surprising economic value. Some members of the Kimbro lab found an oyster that seems to love them back.
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Plants- From Wildflowers to Longleaf PineSalt Marsh Ecology | In the Grass
A long time in the making
by Randallby RandallIf you want an activity that will take a lot of your time, go out onto your lawn and try to figure out which blades of grass belong to what individual plant. The grass in a salt marsh, like your lawn, is made up of various individuals, each with different characteristics that contribute to the success of a marsh. Dr. Randall Hughes’ new experiment looks at what makes habitat building cordgrass individuals successful.
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Oyster Reef Ecology | On the ReefPlants- From Wildflowers to Longleaf PineSalt Marsh Ecology | In the Grass
Tricks or Treats? And more on the effects of predators in marshes.
by Davidby DavidWhen David Kimbro looks through his trick-or-treat bag, he doesn’t see candy, he sees oyster shells and periwinkle snails. Can predators trick periwinkles into not destroying marsh cordgrass? Or will they serve as tasty treats for blue crabs? David shares his data.
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Things get wet, and we look the cool wild things you’ll see while kayaking the Forgotten Coast. We look at the Forgotten Coast segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
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Stretching from the tip of Cape San Blas to the eastern end of St. George Island, the Forgotten Coast segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Trail passes by large stretches of pristine coastal habitat. If you’ve paddled all or part of this trail, we want to hear your stories! Share them on the “In the Grass, On the Reef” blog.
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Plants- From Wildflowers to Longleaf PineSalt Marsh Ecology | In the Grass
Are two friends better than one?
by Randallby RandallFiddler crabs benefit salt marshes. Ribbed mussels benefit salt marshes. But together, is their effect even greater, or do they cancel each other out? Dr. Randall Hughes of the FSU Coastal & Marine Lab looks to find out.
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Dr. Randall Hughes has just concluded a biodiversity experiment in Saint Joseph Bay. She was looking at periwinkle effects on marsh cordgrass, and whether it was better or worse when the grass was found alongside needlerush. The answer could be important in marsh recovery and restoration efforts.
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Seagrasses and Sand FlatsWildlife in North Florida- Critters Big and Small
Horse Conchs Rule the Seagrass Bed
In this preview video for the new “in the Grass, On the Reef” documentary, we get to know the largest predatory snail in Florida waters, the horse conch. Encrusted in barnacles and other fouling organisms and as large as a football, the horse conch has a bright orange body and is really a pretty impressive creature.