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EcoGuide
Florida Keys | The Origin Of the Keys
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The
Origin of the Florida Keys
by Richard H. Stewart
AUTHOR/PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Florida
Keys are sometimes referred to as “America’s tropical
paradise” and for good reason. Stretching more than 107 miles
from Key Largo to Key West, the “cays” or keys, dot the
waterscape like tropical stepping stones into the Caribbean. The deep
blue water along the Atlantic side, the teal color of the bayside
and the green palm trees together give you the feeling that you are
traveling an oversea highway to the Caribbean.
The Florida Keys are sometimes referred to as “America’s
tropical paradise” and for good reason. Stretching more than
107 miles from Key Largo to Key West, the “cays” or keys,
dot the waterscape like tropical stepping stones into the Caribbean.
The deep blue water along the Atlantic side, the teal color of the
bayside and the green palm trees together give you the feeling that
you are
traveling an oversea highway to the Caribbean.
The Florida Keys are composed of five separate districts in the county
of Monroe. Starting in the north is Key Largo/Tavernier, followed
by Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys, and at the
southernmost — Key West. Each town displays characteristics
that sets them apart, as do the aquatic and touring activities. Each
has its own allure, such as the diving and snorkeling reputation of
Key Largo; the fishing in Islamorada or the kayaking around Big Pine.
Of course, in reality you can dive, kayak and experience nature tours
from one end to another.
How the keys were formed is a time-line that dates back millions of years when the planet was one ocean. Following the ice age along with the continental drifts of North and South America, parts of the Keys — notably the Upper Keys area of Key Largo — were formed by sedimentary materials covering a solid base. This process took a long period of time. Thousands of acres of coral forests that covered this submerged region eventually formed into the present day land mass now referred to as Key Largo Limestone. Additionally, as the glaciers reformed, taking water from the ocean, the lowering sea level exposed the shallower middle keys coral forests eventually creating today’s low elevation land mass of the middle keys. From the Big Pine Key area to Key West, the geographic profile is a combination of sand and Oolite — calcium carbonate deposits lying on top of Key Largo Limestone — forming today’s channel-ridden shoals and islandsHow the Florida Keys were formed geologically is an important part of understanding the fragile environment the keys are today. The keys of today may host thriving and growing communities but these modern day land masses are still connected to the existence of the marine life community as coral reef forests still thrive just offshore.
Coral is a marine organism — not a rock as many believe after observing the skeletal remains of the dead coral. The coral animal is called a Polyp with the outer skeleton the actual coral. The coral polyp is a carnivorous animal that feeds off of smaller organisms and as they grow, secretes the limestone-like material that forms the hard coral. In order for coral to grow, it depends on a warm and healthy environment free of pollution. Keys-wide there are many initiatives in place to assure the long-term survival of the reef and backwater systems. New facilities and a network of pipes have been constructed to gather stormwater and reduce waste material from leaching into the coastal water. Along with new roads are retention ponds designed to minimize the distribution of oil-tainted roadway run-off water which can cause the degradation of the mangrove and reef system and its fragile relationship with the overall coastal and bayside eco-system.
Other initiatives such as the Sanctuary Friends Foundation’s environmental-embedment installation program and the Audubon of Florida’s Key’s Environmental Restoration projects have further assisted in slowing damage from population encroachment. The Sanctuary Friends moorings program was created to support the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s efforts to place new and replace deteriorated moorings — thus limiting reef damage from boat anchors.
Because of the Caribbean-like tropical environment, the Keys host a variety of flora and fauna — many considered invasive. The Audubon Society of Florida’s program is to fund the restoration and enhancement of the Florida Keys natural areas.
From the filling in of man-made canals and the removal of non-native vegetation to the replenishment of sea grasses — more than 30 projects have all contributed to protecting the natural environment of the Keys.
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EcoGuide Florida Keys is part of the EcoGuide Series published by EcoMedia & Marketing (www.EcoGuides.info, Richard H. Stewart, Founder/CEO/Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, PO Box 2388, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170. Richard@EcoMediaMarketing.com, 352.817.5893.
For editorial or advertising questions please contact:
U.S.
H.Q. EcoMedia & Marketing Group Richard Stewart CEO/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief EcoMedia & Marketing EcoMedia & Marketing - Central/South America Lucia Anreus-Hall, Managing Partner/Co-Publisher EcoMedia & Marketing - Caribbean Tim Hall, Managing Partner/Co-Publisher EcoMedia & Marketing - Pacific Sherry Sabety, Managing Partner/Co-Publisher EcoMedia & Marketing - Europe & Africa Mandy Young, Managing Partner/Co-Publisher EcoMedia & Marketing - Australasia Tanicio Ruiz , Managing Partner/Co-Publisher REGIONAL PUBLISHERS/EDITORS Lucia Anreus-Hall Regional Publisher EcoGuide Costa Rica Lucia@EcoGuideCostaRica.com Sherry Sabety Regional Publisher EcoGuide Fiji Islands Sherry@EcoGuideFiji.com Christi Allen Regional Publisher/Editor EcoGuide Florida Keys Christi@EcoGuideFloridaKeys.com Sheila Greenfield Regional Publisher/Editor EcoGuide Florida Green Lodges Sheila@EcoGuideFloridaGreenLodges.com Richard H. Stewart Regional Publisher/Editor EcoGuide Indian River Lagoon (Volusia to Indian River Counties) Owen@EcoGuideIndianRiver.com Mandy Young Regional Publisher/Editor EcoGuide Southern Africa Mandy@EcoGuideSouthernAfrica.com
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