HERBACEOUS


PLANTS AND VINES Bay bean, Canavalia maritima; Beach morning-
glory, Ipomoea pes-caprae; Cucumberleaf sunflower, Helianthus
debilis; Sea purslane, Sesuvium portulacastrum; Greenbriars,
Smilax spp.; Wild grape, Vitis spp.


GRASSES AND GRASSLIKE PLANTS -
 cordgrass, Spartina
 Uniola paniculata;
 Seashore saltgrass,
 spp.;


Bitter panicum, Panicum amarum; Marshhay
patens; Sandbur, Cenchrus spp.; Seaoats,
Seashore paspalum, Paspalum vaginatum;
Distichlis spicata; Low panicum, Panicum


 Additional plants that occur in this community are in Appendix B.

3. Animals

 A variety of shorebirds, terns, and gulls can be found on or near the
 beach. This community provides good food sources as well as nesting
 sites. Small mammals can also be found on the coastal dunes. Larger
 mammals also occur behind the foredunes. Some species that occur are:


MAMMALS Bobcat, fox, rabbits, skunks, raccoon, mice


BIRDS American kestrel,
 songbirds


pelicans,


gulls, terns, shorebirds,


REPTILES Alligator, frogs, lizards


 This area also serves as
 such as crab are numerous
 known to occur in specific

LAND USE INTERPRETATIONS


nesting grounds for sea turtles. Crustaceans
near the shorelines. Information on animals
ecological communities is in Appendix C.


1. Environmental Value as a Natural System


The coastal strand in highly endangered. Areas privately owned but
undeveloped are in demand for residences, hotels and motels. This urban
development can have serious effects on the community. Coastal strands
are important in regulating wave action along the coast. This action
tends to break away part of one beach and build up another. Unplanned
structures and development which alter this process accelerates beach and
coastal dune erosion. Clearing and leveling of dunes for development also
cause erosion through removal of native vegetation, which helps hold the
dune together, and by removal of sand from the offshore transport system.

Recreational use and wildlife values on the coastal strand are important.
Recreation is much in demand in these areas but can cause damage due to
trampling and destroying vegetation. When these plants die, their
extensive root systems are no longer available to hold the soil together
and build the dune. Occasional use may also degrade this fragile
community. This community is not generally used for agriculture or
woodland.