| ENVIRONMENT
Habitat
Mangroves and wetland areas are an important natural
resource to all of Florida. As beautiful as they are
biologically essential, they are an integral
component of the estuarine ecosystem. These habitats
provide a number of essential benefits to bay life —
food and shelter for marine life and wildlife,
protection for the shorelines from erosion, and as a
filter for the pollutants.
Green buttonwood (Conocarpus
erectus), which is not a true mangrove, grows
along the South Lido Trail in the Brushy Bayou
tunnel area. Green buttonwood generally has small,
elongated leaves and bears round “buttons” or fruits
that turn brown.
There are three types of mangroves found along
Florida’s coast, all of which are found on the South
Lido Trail—red mangrove, black mangrove, and white
mangrove.
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
which is the dominant plant of South Lido Park’s
shoreline, has distinctive arching prop roots and
green bean-like seed pods or propagules.
Black mangrove (Avicennia
germinans) are found growing among red
mangroves. Black mangroves “sweat” salt from their
leaves and send up twiggy projections from their
roots called pneumatophores, which provide oxygen to
the tree’s roots.
White mangrove (Laguncularia
racemosa) usually grow above the high tide line.
The white mangroves have thick, leathery leaves at
the base of which lie two small nodes which excrete
excess salt. |
MAP
 South
Lido Trail
Mangrove Tunnels
This trail is located in south Lido Park at the southernmost tip
of Lido Key.
Take a self guided tour on this outstanding
trail, considered one of the most diverse in Southwest Florida.
Following the trail you will enter Sarasota Bay before turning
into Little Grassy Lagoon, a shallow water body distinguished by
its rich seagrass beds. Two main varieties of seagrass carpet
the bottom of the lagoon: turtle grass (flat and wide blades)
and widgeon grass (spaghetti-shaped). Both provide food and
protection for a wide range of marine animals, including
channeled whelk, hermit crab, and mullet.
At the far southern end of the lagoon, the trail
continues east down a tunnel that was originally constructed as
a mosquito ditch. Mosquito ditches are a remnant of efforts made
during the 1950s to control mosquitoes by introducing tidal flow
to the mosquito breeding pools. Because of its detrimental
environmental impact and limited effectiveness, this method of
mosquito control was discontinued. By paddling down the narrow
passage, canoeists can better view the complex root system of
the red mangrove and the dynamics of mangrove ecosystems.
As one emerges from the tunnel into Sarasota Bay,
two mangrove islands appear directly ahead. These islands
provide habitat for large nesting water-birds (especially during
the winter). Brown pelicans, great blue herons, and great egrets
rest in the dense foliage of the mangrove islands. From the
mangrove islands, paddle along the northern bank of Big Grassy
Lagoon. Along the mangrove-fringed shore are a series of oyster
beds.
Passing the observation deck of the northern
nature trail, you will enter another tunnel connector which will
take you into the focal point of South Lido Park’s natural
system—Brushy Bayou. As you drift quietly in the bayou you may
have the opportunity to view a broad range of wildlife that
interface between land and water.
To exit Brushy Bayou, paddle down the tunnel
immediately to the north of the bayou inlet. Buttonwood and
white mangroves grow along this tunnel in greater density than
other areas of the Brushy Bayou system.
After leaving the final tunnel, you can return to
the canoe launch by crossing Big Grassy Lagoon, passing the
mangrove islands, to emerge in the small clearing on the other
side that faces Sarasota Bay. |
