We are exploring, the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park which was substantially affected by hurricane Ian one year ago. This costal park has three characteristics including beach dune, tropical hummock and mangrove swamp that provide habitat for wide variety coastal plants and animals. Most visitors look at the tree line and walk away. They are attracted to the beach. This park is nearby the urban population of the city of Naples, Florida which is within easy walking distance of the entrance. Currently however, the tropical hummock and swamp areas are closed to the public. This adventure is a post-storm exploration of the beach dune. The beach took the full force of the cat 5 hurricane force 150 mph wind and was inundated by a wall of water 13 feet high traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour*. Unlike the other places we explored, this ecosystem is on the front line to battle for survival against the sea.
The first visit, in February of 2023, was to observe the condition of the beach sand. Because it was only three months since the storm, I was expecting severe erosion however I was surprised to find that in some areas, the beach dune was gone. I took samples of the sand to see what the chief constituent type of particles were present. I also looked at the size and shape of the beach. If you wish, please check out the Everglades ark, Epicollect5/Florida Beach Sites to see what was found in the park at observations #84 and #85. As you can see it was worn silica and shell fragments. There was no undergrowth.
History**:
Wiggins Pass, situated north of the park, is the outlet for the Cocohatchee River. in the late 1800s Joe Wiggins, the first homesteader, ran an apiary and trading post where he traded goods with Seminole Indians and settlers. Collier County acquired the land through the philanthropic generosity of Lester J. and Dellora A. Norris, hence the name ‘Delnor.’ In 1970, the state of Florida purchased the land from Collier County for a state park, which opened in 1976.
During the approximate twenty years of 1950 to1970 the river was frequently dredged to improved boater access into the Gulf. This included the destruction of the adjacent mangroves in the area. Additionally, the placement of the dredging “spoilage” was dumped as berms along the channel. This action destroyed the natural barrier and filtration of the water and additionally blocked the natural hydrological circulation throughout portions of what was the mangrove forest. Through determined effort much of this damage was repaired. This required substantial rewilding of the area including removal of the berms, redirecting water flow to natural drainage, removal of non-native species such as Australian pines, Brazilian pepper, Wedelia and others, encouraging the return of native plants, planting sea oats, cordgrass, paspalum, and others to stabilize the beach after hurricane Ivan, forming corridors for return of animal species and encouraging the protection of endangered terrapins and crocodilians species as well as numerous birds and mammals Probably the most difficult process was the legislative effort and funding to make this area a State Park.
The Walk-about:
This post shows the observations of the recent second visit of this beach 15 months after hurricane Ian. The two visits are exactly one year apart. Starting from the guest parking lot and walking west to the beach the first sight is the water however the tropical hummock and mangroves are more interesting.
The tropical hummock is sitting at the shore of the former dunes. The hurricane winds ripped across the shore and the entire beach and miles inland were inundated by a an ocean surge that exceeded the tops of many of the trees. It hammered and then droned most of the trees with sea water. The dunes were gone. The hummocks were in the ocean and in some places the ocean surge uprooted the trees. With the help of the DNR, the State forest service and cooperation of the public, the dunes and hummocks will regenerate the beach dunes and prevent further erosion.
The radial outgrowth of the railroad vines from the hummocks is progressing toward the waterline. They are supported by the sand however the sand has almost no nutritional value. These plants apparently derive their sustenance from roots in the hummock and transport that until the plants gain a foothold in the sand.
You can see from these images that the park service had added sand to completely rebuild the beach. The new sand is pure silica without any minerals or shell fragments. This was imported from open pit sand mines in the interior of the State. This action may placate the public demand however, I believe that this has questionable value for the environment. **
Discussion :
Instead of plant control by fire as seen in previous four posts, this shows the dramatic effects of invasion by the sea. The ocean leaves very little behind. The effects of drowning, the sledgehammer like force of the surge, the toxic effects of hyper-salinity followed by the bacterial burden from decaying plants and animals are all combined and are deadly. In this area the loss of property by ocean invasion is far greater than loss from fire especially in the urban areas.
In the next posting you can see the effects of plants in the regeneration of the area.
References:
*NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE IAN
**Delnor-Wiggins Pass, history
Hardwood Hammocks (hummocks) in SWFL
If you like it click on like !
If you wish to receive notifications of future posts Enter your email address and click on subscribe
If you wish to comment or engage in dialogue please use the comment section.
#Wiggins Pass #Ian #hurricane #beach #costal hummock #mangroves #railroad vines #palm #sea grapes
John, an amazing discussion of destruction of the beaches after a hurricane!!
Mark, I hope that you like the new posting also on the beaches.