NPS photo / SECN staff
NPS photo / Emily Milbauer
Overview
Fort Matanzas National Monument is on the Atlantic coast of Florida, in St Johns County, south of St. Augustine. It is two park units situated on two adjacent barrier islands: Rattlesnake Island (70.0 hectares [173 acres]) and Anastasia Island (40.5 hectares [100 acres]). Rattlesnake Island is separated from mainland Florida by the Intracoastal waterway to the west of the island. The east shore of Rattlesnake Island is separated from the southern tip of Anastasia Island by the saltwater Matanzas River. Anastasia Island is much larger than Rattlesnake Island, extending approximately 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) north from the Matanzas Inlet. The Atlantic Ocean lies beyond the eastern shore of Anastasia Island. Rattlesnake Island is almost totally within the Fort Matanzas National Monument bounds and the only notable development on the island is the historic 18th century Fort Matanzas; however the shoreline of the island experiences regular human use. Anastasia Island is highly developed, except for the area protected by the park, on the southern tip of the island. The headquarters and visitor center of Fort Matanzas National Monument is on Anastasia Island. The Atlantic beach section of the Anastasia Island unit is also a popular recreational area.
The Southeast Coast Network conducts the following monitoring at Fort Matanzas National Monument:
- Water-quality monitoring is conducted in the estuarine waters at Fort Matanzas National Monument. To effectively monitor a diverse and dynamic set of estuarine water resources, the network implements a two-pronged monitoring approach consisting of a fixed-monitoring station and parkwide assessments. This gives a more complete picture of physical processes, diurnal and seasonal variations, and spatial patterns during critical portions of the year. The fixed station monitoring site is near the visitor center, on the east side of the Matanzas River. The data sonde measures chlorophyll a, depth, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, total algae, turbidity, and water temperature data every 30 minutes. Data collected from the site is augmented by data collected at four additional stations by the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM NERR) in the Matanzas River and Pellicer Creek. Water-quality data from the sonde are available on the Aquarius web portal. Parkwide water quality assessments are conducted every five years at 30 randomly selected estuarine sites and evaluate the same parameters monitored at fixed-stations. In addition, sediment samples are collected every ten years and analyzed for metals and organic contaminates. Water-quality monitoring at Fort Matanzas National monument has been ongoing since 2006.
- Coastal shoreline change monitoring is conducted on an annual basis and frequently after major storm events. Change in shoreline position drives the alteration and replacement of established natural habitats, and shoreline retreat may destroy cultural resources, facilities, and other infrastructure. Shoreline monitoring has been ongoing at Fort Matanzas National Monument since 2014.
- Salt marsh elevation monitoring sites are surveyed twice annually during spring and fall. Salt marshes and coastal wetlands habitats host a wide diversity of wildlife and are important to many aquatic species but are threatened by sea-level rise. The marshes must grow at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of sea level rise, or they will eventually disappear. The network measures salt marsh elevation and investigates the rate of accretion or subsidence (growth or reduction) in these areas. Salt marsh elevation monitoring at Fort Matanzas National Monument has been ongoing since 2014.
- Landbird community monitoring and Vocal anuran community monitoring is conducted on a rotating schedule every three years. These wildlife communities play critical roles in park ecosystems and interact with several trophic levels of food webs. The network uses automated recording devices (ARDs) to collect vocalization data during mornings and evenings in the spring, which are analyzed by bioacoustics specialists. Data collected from these vital sign monitoring efforts help assess the ecological integrity and diversity of park areas and how communities and park conditions may change over time. The landbird and vocal anuran monitoring efforts in network parks began in 2012.
- Vegetation community monitoring is conducted on a rotating schedule. Monitoring vegetation is important because it’s key indicator of overall ecosystem health. Changes in vegetation reflect the effects of stressors like extreme weather, disease, invasive species, fire, and land use change. Plant communities also provide structured habitat and food resources for other species. Vegetation monitoring data provides managers with information about the degree of change in their park’s natural communities. Vegetation plots have been established across the following habitats: Maritime Upland Forests and Shrublands and Maritime Open Upland Grasslands. Data reports include information about new occurrences and rare plants, species richness and abundance, tree health and regeneration, disturbance observations, soil nutrients, landform/geomorphology, and downed woody debris.
| Vital Sign | Examples of Measurement |
|---|---|
| Estuarine Water Quality | pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity |
| Shoreline Change | Net shoreline movement and end-point rate |
| Salt Marsh Elevation | Magnitude, rate and within-site variability of surface elevation, sediment accretion or erosion, different drivers |
| Landbird and Vocal Anuran Communities | Species occurrence, distribution |
| Terrestrial Vegetation Communities | Plant community diversity, relative species/guild abundance, structure/age class, incidence of disease |
Source: Data Store Collection 3982 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3950 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3979 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3980 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 9590. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 9582. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3984 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3983 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3981 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Last updated: November 11, 2024