FAQ

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Yes Sea-grapes are a protected Native Dune species. They grow naturally as part of the Back-dune and are an important part of a healthy and balanced Dune system. Trimming of Sea-grapes is permitted under guidelines established by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. 

Unfortunately. In recent years  Sea-grapes have too often spread from the Back-dune onto the Fore-dune where they tend to over spread and inhibit the growth of more beneficial species such as Sea-oats . This upsets the natural ecosystem balance and weakens the Dune system .  

Sea-oats are the most important plants in a healthy Dune system . This Native grass is the foundation plant that ties the Dune together and encourages the recruitment of other important Native species . The blades of the Sea-oats catch wind blown sand and deposit the sand at the base of the plant. This sand accumulates over time and the Sea-oats steadily build the Dune, often by as much as a foot a year. This is a process known as accretion. In addition, Sea-oats are drought tolerant and need no extra water or fertilizer. They establish themselves with a deep and elaborate root system. They grow quickly and literally hold the Dune together.

Exotic/Invasive Dune plants are non native species that invade the natural Dune habitat  and are often out competing the important Native species. This weakens and degrades a healthy Dune leaving it vulnerable to erosion.

Native plants create an ecosystem that is richly diverse. A healthy Dune system is home to over 200 native species.

The Exotic/Invasive species rob the Dune of its diversity and its ability to grow and build itself into a barrier against Erosion.

Question 4

What are some simple things the individual can do to protect and preserve our Beaches and Shores?

Here are some basic recommendations:

Preserve Native Dune Plants.
Have Invasive Non Native Vegetation removed from the Dune.
Do not prune Native Dune Plants.
Limit Beach Raking . Keep the Native Habitat.
Clean your own Beachfront.
Limit Fertilizer and Irrigation around Dune areas.
Keep Recreational activity away from Dune areas,  such as beach chairs, surfboards, volleyball nets etc.
Stay off the Dunes. Use Dune Walkovers or a narrow pathway through the Dunes.

Question 5

What is the brown vegetation left on the beach after high tides ?

It is known as Wrack .

 It is a mix of different kinds of vegetation, often carried from thousands of miles away by Ocean currents and then washed ashore at high tide.

It is most often made up of seaweed, sea-grasses, reeds, driftwood, tree and plant seeds, and sea-life.

This is part of a natural Shoreline ecosystem.

This Habitat provides nourishment from decomposing marine life for shorebirds and crustaceans.

In addition, the Ocean pushes this vegetative band to higher elevations at the base of the Dune system providing a nutrient rich mat of organic material where Dune plants can take root, helping to build up and naturally extend the Dune.

Rather than rake this Wrack away it is best to utilize it.