Incredible beaches, marine life, and weather are just a few of the things that make the Florida Keys an amazing place. The Florida Keys are a string of islands located off the tip of Florida, which protrude out into the Gulf of Mexico and into the Atlantic Ocean. The oceanography of the Keys are unique because of several factors, including the geologic history, the tides and waves, and the effects of natural and man made threats to the Keys themselves and the thriving marine life. The map below shows the stretch of islands and the many reefs that are right off the coasts of the islands (Florida Keys Map)
Geologic History
Thought to have emerged from ancient coral reefs or patch reefs that had eroded, the Keys are a bit of a mystery in terms
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Natural threats that could potentially damage the Keys are: Hurricanes and global warming. Hurricane season always poses threats because of storm surge, heavy flooding, and reef damage from large waves and currents. Global warming also poses a threat because the marine life that lives in the Keys, namely the coral, need a very specific range of temperatures to survive. When the water is too warm or too cold, corals can be stunted, damaged, and even die. Even just a few degrees too warm can be the difference between life and death for many plants, animals and organisms in the …show more content…
Water pollution has the potential to kill many species of fish and marine life, disrupting the ecosystem. Along with pollution, fishing, boating, and diving can cause damage and disrupt the natural order. While tourism is wonderful, some of the activities associated with tourism can severely damage the coral and the marine life. This is why the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is such an important part of keeping the Keys a great place for marine life to thrive. This sanctuary provides protection for many species and ecosystems and helps to keep the Keys safe from its greatest danger: man.
The Florida Keys hold a special place in my heart, as a Florida native it is amazing to know more about what makes up this amazing part of Florida. I love knowing more about the wonderful place I can call home, vacation to, and advocate for. In the future I know that I will be increasingly more aware and informed about how my activity affects the ecosystems around me, especially those in the