Lovers Key State Park

 Today I visited Lovers Key State Park as part of a field trip.  I was utterly amazed at how large the park actually was.  I have driven past the sign many times, but this was my first actual trip into the park.  Upon my arrival I decided to do the self-guided estuary tour and beach walk.  The walk was so relaxing.  Everything in nature seemed to be in perfect harmony.  I stopped and watched the water drift by on a bridge for a few minutes and listened to the sounds of nature.  This was definitely a relaxing experience.  It was nice to just stop and enjoy the moment without thinking about what I had to do for the rest of the day.

Lovers Key has been shaped by many of the earth’s elements.  For example, Florida’s hot climate allows there to be an abundant number of fires in the area.  These fires are good because they clear out the underbrush, which allows the number of plants competing for resources to be diminished.  Water is a main contributor at Lovers Key.  The water sustains life for the entire ecosystem.  The fish and marine life live in the water, while the surrounding plants use it as a life source (and people also enjoy it too).  Weather has played an important role in Lovers Key.  In 1998 and 2004, a series of storms eroded large sections of the south beach.  A re-nourishment project put in place by park officials in 2004 added sand and vegetation to the shoreline to help rebuild the natural beach (Florida State Parks).  The topography of Lovers Key has an influence of what types of species and plants will inhabit the area.  The park’s elevation ranges from mean sea level to about five feet above sea level.  On Black Island, dredge and fill activities have displaced the original mangroves in the area (White, 2005).  The sea level determines the type of plants which grow in the area, which then determines the species that will inhabit it.   

Water quality is an extremely important element in Lovers Key.  Water quality and clarity is maintained by mangroves.  Mangroves thrive in a salty environment because they can take fresh water from salt water.  There are three species of mangroves found in Florida; red, black, and white.  The red mangrove is found closest to the water and has arching roots.  Black mangroves grow upland from the red mangroves and white mangroves usually occupy higher elevations compared to the other two (Florida State Parks, 2011).  These mangroves provide different habitats for fish and wildlife, assist in stabilizing the shoreline with their roots, and protect uplands from storm winds, waves, and flood (Florida State Parks, 2011).  Mangroves are protected by the state from being removed or pruned.  Estuaries are another important part of Lovers Key.  An estuary is a place where fresh water mixes with saltwater.  Estuaries are influenced by tides, seasons, weather conditions, and time of day.  Estuaries are home to many plants and animals that like to live partly in freshwater and partly in sea water.  Some of these plants and fish include horseshoe crab, osprey, manatee, scallops, shrimp, and salmon  (United States Environmental Protection Agency , 2011).         

While walking along the trails at Lovers Key, I saw many tree species.  Some of these included the Gumbo Limbo, Jamaica Dogwood, Strangler Figs, and Sabal Palm; which thrive in the maritime hammock.  I also spotted many red, white, black mangroves.  I also saw some non-woody plants including the Sea Oxeye, Sea Purslane, Railroad Vine, Coastal Sandspur, and Beach Panic Grass.  Each of these plants play a role in sustaining the wildlife or the sea itself in the area.  Lovers Key is one of the best birding sites in Southwest Florida.  Some birds common to this area are the Turkey Vulture, Roseate Spoonbill, Great Egret, Brown Pelican, and Bald Eagle.  

I think one unique characteristic of Lovers Key has to do with its history, and how it became a state park.  During the 1900s, Lovers Key was only accessible by boat.  It was said that only lovers traveled to the island as a romantic get-a-way from other tourists.  A road was built to the island in 1965 (Florida State Parks, 2007).  Black Island got its name supposedly from the pirate Black Augustus who escaped from authorities and lived on the island for the remainder of his life (Florida State Parks, 2007).  In the 1960s to the 1970s, four barrier islands were planned to be built.  Preparation for these islands damaged the land.  In 1983, the state took ownership of the islands and in 1996 they merged with Carl E. Johnson Park (Florida State Parks, 2007).  Today the park is known as Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park.

Works Cited

Florida State Parks (n.d.). Florida State Parks Anniversary 1935-2010. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from Florida State Parks: http://www.floridastateparks.org/history/parkhistory.cfm?parkid=135&CFID=31449561&CFTOKEN=97817556#resource

Florida State Parks. (2011). A self-guided Estuary tour and beach walk [Brochure]

Florida State Parks. (2007, September 5). Lovers Key Carl E. Johnson State Park [Brochure]

United States Environmental Protection Agency . (2011, May 28). About Estuaries. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from Exploring Estuaries: http://water.epa.gov/learn/kids/estuaries/index.cfm

White, B. (2005, December 9). Lovers Key State Park Unit Management Plan. Retrieved May 29, 2011, from Department of Environmental Protection: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/planning/parkplans/LoversKeyStatePark.pdf