In solidarity with the "Pachanga" Kayaking Meetup group that launched off Virginia Key this morning, enjoy this virtual tour of the fossilized mangrove reef found offshore of the Bear Cut Preserve. (see the Untamed Science video link below.)
The Fossil Reef is actually the fossilized remains of an ancient black mangrove forest that once extended along the shoreline for miles. This is believed to be the first reported occurrence of the fossilization of mangrove roots. The area was exposed by Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Radiocarbon dating indicates the age of the rods to be between 1000 and 2000 years.
“Key Biscayne’s Petrified Forest” is home to small marine animals and plants found in inter tidal zones. See sergeant major fish swimming and barnacles and anemones attached to the surface of the reef. The offshore seagrasses support octopi, sea horses, snapper, blue crabs, spider crabs, sea squarts and queen conch.
Attention landlubbers:
You can also see the fossilized forest from land through the Fossil Reef Trail that winds its way through the 163-acre Bear Cut Nature Preserve in the northern part of Crandon Park. Start at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center. The walk/bicycle trail takes you through a canopied walk of strangler figs and sea grape trees where you may encounter birds of prey, including hawks, kestrels and ospreys perched on the larger dead trees. Look for smaller songbirds among the shrubs and wading birds in the wetter areas, including egrets and herons. The 30-minute walk ends with a wonderful payoff - a boardwalk with great views of the fossil reef as well as the shoreline of Virginia Key.
Photos: Fossilized Roof Reef, Fossil Reef Trail in the Bear Cut Nature Preserve
Resources:
http://www.untamedscience.com/biodiversity/article/fossil-reef-near-miami-fl
http://www.biscaynenaturecenter.org
Thanks for this .........I will do this walk again when it is cooler.............
ReplyDelete