Planning a Florida vacation this summer? Florida's beaches are hot spots for tourists all year long,...

1. Sea Oats Protect Florida Beach Sand Dunes
Planning a Florida vacation this summer? Florida's beaches are hot spots for tourists all year long,
offering the best in food, accommodations, and entertainment. Before you hit the surf and sand,
know what natural souvenirs are permissible to take home and what you must leave behind. Shell
collecting is a popular activity for all ages, but pick the sea oats and you'll end up paying a fine.
Plants Build and Stabilize Sand Dunes
Florida beaches are at sea level on both the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula, and on the Gulf of
Mexico. Scenic hills and sand cliffs dividing the flat beach from the inland areas are called sand
dunes.
Sand dunes are born when wind and waves from the ocean (or gulf) deposit organic matter onto the
sand. The matter embeds in the sand and begins to grow. During the summer, more and more sand
is trapped by the propagating plant life. Low-growing tough plants with extensive root systems
(called rhizomes) develop, preventing small dunes from breaking down during high tide. As the
growing process continues, larger plants trap more sand. More sand grows larger plants. Year after
year the cycle continues.

2. Sea oats, palmetto plants, sea grapes, and cabbage palms
are among the many plant varieties that inhabit older
sand dunes. Some of the biggest sand dunes support
trees, like pine and live oak. Of all the plants found on the
beaches, sea oats are the most popular.
It is Against the Law to Pick Sea Oats
Sea oats are decorative ornamental grass that can be
dried and used in floral arrangements. The stunning
appearance of wheat-like panicles blowing in the breeze on the shoreline attracts photographers and
plant collectors alike. Sea oats not only beautify the beaches, but also preserve and stabilize the
sand dunes with deep root systems.
Beach conservationists routinely plant sea oats on hurricane-damaged beaches to restore the
integrity of the coastline and promote new sand dune growth. Signs posted on public and private
beaches warn against picking sea oats. Unfortunately, there are people that like to collect the culms
(stems) to bring home as souvenirs. Some visitors try to take entire plants for home landscaping.
Tourists and Florida residents alike should be aware that wild sea oats is a protected species.
Picking sea oats is against the law. Violating the law carries a hefty fine, even for harvesting the
seeds.
Sand Dunes and Erosion
The Florida coastline is at sea level. Without sand dunes, there would be no white sandy beaches for
tourists and residents to enjoy. The daily rise and fall of the tides, and frequent summer storms
continually change the profile of the beaches. During this natural cycle the plants on the dunes
harbor sand. This 'reserve' sand supply replenishes the lower beach sand as the wind and water take
it away. Additionally, the lowest dunes provide a habitat for sea turtle eggs, sand crabs, and other
marine creatures.
The online article "Sand Dunes, More Than Piles of Sand," supplied by the Florida Oceanographic
Coastal Center, states, "Dunes play an important role both to the beaches that front them and the
land behind them. Dunes act as a sand reserve for beaches. ... Dunes provide a barrier to salt
intrusion from high tides and storm surges, and it protects the land behind the dunes from erosion."
When people remove plants from the dunes, the cycle of trapping sand is interrupted, causing
extensive erosion. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has good reason to be
concerned about beach erosion: "Beach erosion threatens the very resource that residents and
visitors enjoy. Over 485 miles, or approximately 59% of the state's beaches, are experiencing
erosion."
Sea Oats are Sold Legally hurricane windows florida in Authorized Plant Nurseries
Sea oats seeds and plants are sold in plant nurseries that have permits to propagate protected plant
species. Mature plants tend to multiply quickly, but the rhizomes can easily be divided. For more
information on sea oats and how to legally grow your own plants, please visit the Floridata Web site,
"Uniola Paniculata" (Christman, Steve, Article No. 562, Updated 2004)

3. Photographers, artists, and sunbathers alike can never seem to get enough of the Atlantic beaches
that stretch for hundreds of miles, or the pristine beaches and emerald waters of the gulf coast.
Keep in mind that the fabulous scenery is made possible by the sand dunes protecting the Florida
http://impact-window.com/ coastline. Without the sea oats and other plant life, the sand dunes would
not exist.
Enjoy the sun, collect shells, and take as many photos as desired, but leave the sea oats and other
wild plant life intact. Smart tourists and Florida residents know the beach sand dunes and plant life
protect the scenery and natural resources. Preserve the beaches for generations to come impact
windows florida by staying informed and obeying the laws protecting the coastal environment.