Barrier Islands Of The Florida Gulf Coast Peninsula

This richly illustrated book, featuring hundreds of illustrations and color photographs, covers the 30 barrier islands along 200-mile Gulf coast of the Florida peninsula.

With text and hundreds of figures, charts, drawings, and color photos, this book covers the long, narrow islands that run near and all along the Gulf coast of the Florida peninsula, considered by geologists to be the most complicated barrier island system in the world. These 30 islands and inlets create a barrier along the 200-mile coast, protecting the mainland and the coastal bays from storms and heavy waves. The land on these islands is among the most expensive acres of real estate on the planet, and most of the islands are now heavily developed and populated, though some natural areas remain. This book looks first at the geological aspects of this barrier-inlet system, which is very young in terms of the history of our planet, only about 3,000 years, appearing since the great glaciers melted and sea level reached near its present position. The great diversity in morphology of the system is amazing given the low wave energy and small tidal range of this coast. Hurricanes have had a significant impact on this coast although they are less frequent here than on most of the Gulf of Mexico. There are very few sand dunes on these flat, narrow islands. Each chapter focuses on two main factors: the type of barrier island and the level of human development on the island.

The evolution of barrier islands along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast is directly related to source of sediments and littoral processes. Johnson formulated his hypothesis on barrier island formation in 1919, and his theory prevailed for several decades. Johnson's theory resulted from consideration of only two dimensions normal to the coastline; a third, longshore drift, was not regarded as critical for the initiation of barrier island development. In this study, which is confined to the northern Gulf coast, major sources of sediment supply and transportation patterns of barrier forming sand were examined, along with results of recent oceanographic investigations in the Gulf of Mexico. This study is based on a comprehensive survey of the literature, maps, and marine charts, which were correlated with field observations. To obtain a perspective, only gross forms and processes of barrier development were considered. Evidence indicates that Santa Rosa Island, Mississippi Sound, and Bolivar Peninsula barriers developed downdrift of sediment-supplying coasts of Quaternary age. These barriers evolved with the Recent rise of sea level to its present stand. Apalachicola barriers formed on the flanks of the Pleistocene deltaic plain. Coasts such as the stretch between Destin and Panama City, Florida, and the zero-energy coast of Florida do not have barrier islands. In these cases the modern shoreline is abutted against Pleistocene deposits which are the local source of sediments. (Author).

This book looks at coastal management as it applies to the physical barrier/inlet system of the Gulf of Mexico. This is an excellent region for considering this topic because it has a wide range of situations to be considered in its management-remote areas, huge urban populations, and tidal inlets, including some natural, some dredged, and others that have been structured for more than a century. Discussing options for managing and protecting the various elements of the barrier/inlet system, the authors consider each approach in terms of costs, logistics, and success or failure. They extensively cover anthropogenic impact as well as management problems generated by natural processes, especially hurricanes and other severe storms. The authors discuss the impact of management decisions and related projects, providing decision makers with the proper information to make decisions on zoning, development, construction of major structures, environmental concerns, etc.

A history of a very popular beach destination near Sarasota on the Gulf coast of Florida. Reviewing the past century of Siesta Key development in the context of Florida's ancient and recent emergence, this book explains how one small Gulf coast barrier island has become world famous as “#1 Beach in the USA." Beginning with Amerindian settlers, the “First Floridians," all of the seminal pioneers and a steady stream of pivotal leaders are described with emphasis on their families, motivations, and challenges. Both historical triumphs and tragedies are covered to provide a balanced perspective. Lastly, the current and future threats are analyzed in detail, including the environmental controversies with nearby keys, the menace of increasing red tide, and the risks of rising sea levels associated with global warming.