NPS photo /SECN staff
NPS photo / M. Forbes Boyle.
The Southeast Coast Network conducts the following monitoring at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve:
- Water-quality monitoring is conducted in the estuarine waters at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. 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 at Kingsley Plantation, on the South side of the Fort George River. The data sonde measures chlorophyll a, depth, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, total algae, turbidity, and water temperature data every 30 minutes. Data collected by the sonde is augmented with monthly nutrient and chlorophyll data collected at additional sites throughout the preserve by the City of Jacksonville. Water-quality data from the sonde are available on the Aquarius web portal and nutrient data are available from the Water Quality 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 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve 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 American Beach near Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve since 2014 and an open-data geo package containing all shoreline data collected by the Southeast Coast Network from 2017–2023 has been recently published.
- 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 Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve 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: Coastal Plain Open Uplands and Woodlands, Maritime Upland Forests and Shrublands, and Maritime Non-tidal Wetlands. 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 9589. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 4022 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 3972 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 4023 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 9593. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 9588. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 9592. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 4026 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 4025 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Source: Data Store Collection 4024 (results presented are a subset). To search for additional information, visit the Data Store.
Last updated: November 11, 2024