School of Natural Resources and Environment. How to care ……and why!

School of Natural Resources and Environment

How to care How to care …… ……and why!and why!

How are dunes How are dunes formed?formed?

Coastal dunes are formed when sand is trapped around the stems, leaves and roots of plants in the vegetated areas of the beach

Why are Dunes Why are Dunes Important?Important?

Why are Dunes Why are Dunes Important?Important?

The sand dune system along Navarre Beach helps protect the mainland and buildings from the force of tropical storms and hurricanes. The dune system absorbs the energy of storm waves

Why use different Why use different plants to restore plants to restore

dunes?dunes?

Should we plant Sea Oat Turf?

Many different species of plants naturally occur in the dune system

This diversity offers more opportunities for trapping sand and provides habitat for wildlife

Is it beneficial to plant more than one species when

restoring dunes?

Will a variety of plants trap sand differently than a monoculture?Will survival of a variety of plants differ from survival of a monoculture?

Beach ElderIva imbricata

Bitter PanicumPanicum amarum

Gulf BluestemSchizachyrium maritimum

Sea OatsUniola paniculata

Site 7

Monoculture

Beach Elder

Site 8

Plantings combining 3 species

Beach Elder

Gulf Bluestem

Sea Oats

Sites 10 & 11

Plantings combining 2 species

Sea Oats

Bitter Panicum

Kiosks are installed at each site to provide information for the public

Citizen involvement and public education are integral to increasing public coastal awareness and

stewardship

How can you help protect dunes?

Footpaths through dunes can cause “blowouts” in the dune system during storms Surging water washes away sand that makes up the dune

Utilize dune walkovers whenever possible!

Coastal Stewardship practices for all…

Avoid picking or damaging dune plants

Keep pets on a leash and out of dunes

Don’t litter

For more information…

Visit the UF Barrier Island Dunes website at http://wfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/dunes

orVisit the Navarre Beach study sites at public

access sites 7, 8, 10, and 11

Project Leaders:Dr. Debbie MillerDr. Mack ThetfordChristine Verlinde

Special Thanks:Cary Levins Mike Martino Kathy Hardin Barry BallardNik McCue Tanya Alvarez

Collaborators:Josiah

RaymerAndrew

DillerScott

Jackson