Contact

Dr. Mike Shirley - Michael.Shirley@dep.state.fl.us
Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve
Environmental Education Center
505 Guana River Road
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
(904) 823-4500
8:--am - 5:00pm Mon. - Fri.

Description of Site

The Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) is part of the temperate Carolinian biogeographic province. It represents a relatively undeveloped, coastal estuarine ecosystem in the southeastern U.S.

The Tolomato, Guana and Matanzas River estuaries form a system of "bar-bounded" estuaries that extend south from Jacksonville in Duval County to below Marineland in Flagler County behind the barrier island system. The Guana River estuary runs parallel to the Tolomato River estuary on the seaward side, with the two lagoons joining just north of the St. Augustine Inlet. Oceanic exchange occurs through the St. Johns River Inlet, a major navigational channel to the north, and the St. Augustine Inlet to the South. The Matanzas River estuary extends approximately 20 miles south from the St. Augustine Inlet to about eight miles south of the Matanzas Inlet. These tidal inlets form the oceanic exchange for the estuarine ecosystem. The St. Augustine Inlet has been stabilized with north and south jetties and is the major entrance to the Intracoastal Waterway which runs through the Matanzas estuary. Matanzas Inlet is one of the last "natural" inlets on Florida’s east coast. It has remained unimproved, with no dredged channel or armored shoreline, and is suitable only for small water craft. The inlet is characterized by a transitory offshore bar and inner shoal with high tidal currents.

The GTMNERR contains two aquatic preserves - the Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve and the Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve.

Established

Section 315 of the CZMA establishes the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Implementing regulations are 15 C.F.R. Section 921.1. Under the System, healthy estuarine ecosystems which typify different regions of the U.S. can be designated and managed as sites for long-term research, and used as a base for estuarine education and interpretation programs.

The Guana - Tolomato - Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve was designated as such on August 19,1999.

The Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve was designated as an aquatic preserve in 1985.

The Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve was designated as an aquatic preserve in 1970.

Location

The reserve is located within St. Johns and Flagler Counties.
The cities of Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Palm Coast are adjacent to the reserve.
Interstate 95, US 1 and State Road A1A provide access to the area.

Size

The GTMNERR covers over 60,000 acres of publicly owned uplands, tidal wetlands, estuarine lagoons and offshore seas.

Watershed

The GTMNERR is located in the Upper East Coast Drainage Basin (part of the Florida East Coast Basin) which covers 467,196 acres. The basin has been further divided into two major drainage sub-basins: the Tolomato River (53,802 acres) and, the Matanzas River (167,599 acres) drainage basins. The natural hydrology of this system has been significantly altered by water control structures, such as the Intracoastal Waterway which runs through it, dikes, inland wells, drainage ditches and a dam.

Habitat

The GTM River estuarine ecosystem exhibits a wide variety of habitat types. Pinelands (30%) are the predominate upland habitat type within the drainage basin covering 69,265 acres, followed by shrub and brushlands (14%) and hardwood hammocks (10%). Barren (mostly disturbed) lands make up only 10% of the watershed. Coastal salt marsh and open water habitat comprise nearly 15% of the watershed. ../../habitats/saltmarshes.htm

Salt marsh habitat is dominant in the estuary, and occurs along the boundaries of the Tolomato/ Guana/ Matanzas River estuaries. This habitat type occupies approximately 25% of the total land cover of the reserve.

Tidal flats found in this estuary are typically intertidal sand and mud flats flanking river mouths, creeks, sounds and channels. These flats lie between the extreme spring high and low tide lines. While the areas may appear relatively barren, this habitat supports a large population of infaunal organisms as well as a variety of transient fish and wildlife.

The tidal beaches are found on the Atlantic side of the barrier islands. The beach substrate is mostly coquina shell mixed with white quartz sand. Typical plant species found on the barrier island’s dunes are sea oats (Uniola paniculata), railroad vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae), beach morning glory (Ipomoea stolonifera), sea purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum), and camphor weed (Heterotheca subaxillaris). Animal species present on the dunes include ghost crabs, six-lined racerunners (lizards) (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus), and diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus).

Oyster bars, are found in the subtidal and intertidal portions of the estuarine system. Oysters also serve to locally decrease turbidity by processes of trapping sediment and stabilizing erosional processes. Oyster beds provide hard substrate and habitat for many other species including ivory barnacles (Cirripedia spp.), polychaetes, mud crabs (Rhithropanopeus harrisii), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), clams (Mercenaria spp.) and amphipods.

Coastal strand habitat is found on storm deposited ridges of sand, shell, and debris that parallels the shore behind the dune ridge. Typically, it appears as a dense combination of large, salt tolerant shrubs and small trees. Dominant plants include sand live oak (Quercus geminata), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), redbay (Persea borbonia) saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), yaupon holly (Illex vomitoria) and cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto).

Shell mound habitat is found on aboriginal elevated mounds of mollusk shells. The soils in this community are slightly alkaline, with low organic composition and extremely well drained.

Grassy scrub habitat is found at the upland margin of wetlands between the marsh and upland forest areas, particularly along the Matanzas River estuary. Characteristic species include grasses, sedges, and rushes. The area is usually treeless and may be periodically flooded.

The xeric hammock present in this estuarine system is a young maritime forest with a closed canopy. The xeric hammock is the last successional stage of scrub or sandhill, and only develops in locations that have been without fire for at least 30 years. This habitat is typically found on the barrier islands, and its dominant species include live oak (Quercus virginiana), pignut hickory (Carya glabra), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and redbay (Persea borbonia).

Mesic hammock habitat’s dominant species are dependent on its location. Within Faver- Dykes State Park and Pellicer Creek Aquatic Preserve, common species found in this community include live oaks (Quercus virginiana), laurel oaks (Quercus laurifolia), redbay (Persea borbonia), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), and several types of hickory, cedar, and holly.

Mesic flatwoods habitat is characterized as an open-canopy forest of widely spaced pine trees with little or no understory but a dense ground cover of herbs and shrubs. They are dominated in the area by pond pine (Pinus serotina) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii). This habitat historically was dominated by long- leaf pine (Pinus plaustris) in the drier areas, but increasing harvest, and fire control has allowed slash pine to take its place. Characteristic understory species seen along the estuary include saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), gallberry (Illex glabra), sand live oak (Quercus geminata), redbay, bracken fern, broomsedge, and southern sumac.

There are 668 acres of scrub habitat located within the Guana River Wildlife Management Area, a few patches of mature scrub on the barrier islands in the Matanzas River estuary, and a few very mature patches of scrub (approximately 6 acres combined) within the boundaries of the Guana River State Park. Characteristic species of this habitat include sand live oak (Quercus geminata), live oak (Quercus virginiana), the scrub oak species (Quercus chapmanii and Q. myrtifolia), and ericaceous shrubs such as rusty lyonia (Lyonia ferruginea), fetterbush (L. lucida) and sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum).

The freshwater marsh community is found in interior lakes, marshes, borrow areas, the interdunal swale. Freshwater marsh covers approximately 3,000 acres, or 1.5% of the watershed. The most commonly occurring emergent grasses are sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri). Other characteristic species include bulrush (Scirpus validus), woolgrass bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus), smartweed (Polygonum spp.), foxtail grass (Sertariu spp.), wild millets (Echinochloa walteri), and water primrose (Ludwigia octovalis). The ecotone formed between the basin marsh and adjacent hammock areas is important as a day-use area for many wading bird species like roseate spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja), wood storks (Mycteria americana), white ibis (Eudocimus albus), egrets (Casmeroides albus, Egretta thula, and Bubulcus ibis), and yellow-crowned and black-crowned night herons (Nyctanassa violacea and Nycticorax nycticorax).

Cypress swamp habitat is found as a pure stand in a small wetland (42 acres) on the northern portion of the Guana peninsula within the wildlife management area and mixed within the hydric hammock habitat along the Matanzas River estuary. Characteristic vegetation along the Matanzas River/ Pellicer Creek site includes bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens), red maple (Acer rubrum), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), pond pine (Pinus serotina), and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). The typical cypress dome on the Guana peninsula includes loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) and maple (Acer rubrum) trees, as well. This habitat covers approximately 2,838 acres, or 1.3% of the watershed.

Ecological Importance

Species of commercial value that are known to use the estuary for all or part of their life cycle include oysters (Crassostrea virginica), quahog clams (Mercenaria spp.), blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus), stone crabs (Menippe mercenaria), white shrimp (Penaeus setiferus), brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus), striped and white mullet (Mugil cephalus and M. curema), gag grouper (Myctoperca microlepis), black seabass (Centropristis striata), gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), lane snapper (L. synagris), flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma and P. dentatus), bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum).

Recreationally valuable species present include tarpon (Tarpon atlanticus), spotted sea trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), weakfish (C. regalis), snook (Centropomus undecimalis), red drum (Sciaenops ocellata), black drum (Pogonias cromis), spot (Leiostomous xanthurus), croaker (Micropogon undulatus), sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), crevalle jack (Carynx hippos), gag grouper (Myctoperca microlepis), black seabass (Centropristis striata), gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus), lane snapper (L. synagris), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), whiting (Menticirrus americanus), Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), flounder (Paralichthys spp.), striped mullet (Mugil cephalus), and sailor’s choice (Haemulon parri).

Rare / Endangered Species

State listings are taken from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or as with plants Florida Department of Agriculture.  Federal listings are taken from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. E= Endangered; T= Threatened; T (s/a)= Threatened due to similarity in appearance; SSC= Species of Special Concern; UR= Under review; n/a= information not available or no designation listed

Geomorphic Features

Archaeological Features

The Matanzas inlet and estuary became important shipping lanes for the Spanish, especially in the event St. Augustine became blockaded. Wooden watch towers were built on Anastasia Island in 1569, and were replaced by a coquina rock fort (Fort Matanzas) in 1742.

The Princess Place, located at the southern boundary of the reserve on the border of Pellicer Creek, is a valuable historical resource. After the Spanish regained Florida from the British in the late 1700’s, the Princess Place property was part of a land grant from the King of Spain to Francisco Pellicer. In the early 1800’s Mr. Pellicer introduced orange trees to the site making it one of Florida’s oldest commercial orange groves. The plantation manor house was later known as the Princess Place lodge after Princess Angela Sherbutow and her husband, an exiled Russian Prince who occupied the estate in the 1800’s. It is the oldest standing homesite in Flagler County and contains one of the first in-ground pools in Florida, which is fed by an artesian spring. Flagler County now owns and operates the site as an environmental education and recreation center as part of its "green-ways" program.

Uses

Residential land use along the estuarine system is typically low or medium density, and is most common along the barrier islands. In St. Johns County low density areas have an allowable density of 1-2 dwelling units per acre in mainland areas, and 0.4-2 dwelling units per acre in the coastal corridor east of S.R. A1A. Medium density areas have an allowable density of 2-8 dwelling units per acre in mainland areas and 2-5 dwelling units per acre in the coastal corridor.

Commercial land use along the Tolomato River estuary is limited to Vilano Beach and three small areas: Pine Island Fish Camp, a bar/ restaurant with no water dependent structures, and a convenience store and gas station located on A1A near the Guana River State Park. There is one zone designated industrial on the St. Johns County Future Land Use Maps adjacent to the estuary near Casa Cola Creek. This area contains the St. Augustine Airport and the Grumman-St. Augustine Corporation (aircraft repair), the latter being the largest employer in St. John’s County.

Presently, 897,000 people live within a 60 mile radius of the estuary. Much of the St. Johns County population increase was due to the county serving as a "bedroom community" to Jacksonville. This population is expected to increase by approximately 40 percent by the year 2000. Flagler county population increase within the study area is primarily due to development of Palm Coast, an unincorporated planned community in north Flagler county. The coastal areas of both counties have been under development pressure due to the desirable weather and the aesthetic appeal of its vast, beautiful, and relatively undisturbed natural environment. The counties are acutely aware, and have acknowledged, that given the present growth rates, they must guard against the degradation of the environmentally sensitive lands, regionally significant recreation areas and critical habitats for flora and fauna.

The natural resources of this region are utilized commercially through tourism, agriculture, silviculture, fishing, marinas and some mining activities. The coastal zone contains many unique natural resources which are worthy of special concern, consideration and protection. .The beaches along the Atlantic Ocean are one of the main reasons that tourists are attracted to the area.

The major consumptive resource use in the estuarine system is commercial fishing. Commercial fishing in the area is primarily for penaeid shrimp, blue crabs, clams, scallops, oysters, and various finfish species. Of these, blue crabs, shrimp and oysters are the most predominant.

Sport fishing in the area is for estuarine species like drum, menhaden, spotted sea trout, weakfish, spot, and flounder. Recreational shrimping at the Guana River dam is seasonal. Some recreational oyster and hard clam harvesting throughout the estuary occurs, as well.

Additionally, the Guana River Wildlife Management Area is managed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission for hunting of selected game species, particularly waterfowl, according to their rules and regulations.

Other recreational uses within and adjacent to the reserve include saltwater beach activities, including surfing and sunbathing, boating, picnicking, swimming, hunting, group camping, primitive camping, hiking, biking, water skiing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, beach-combing, nature study and historical exhibits. Guana River State Park, Guana River Wildlife Management Area, Faver-Dykes State Park, Washington Oaks State Gardens, and Ft. Matanzas National Monument provide for all of the above mentioned recreational.

The GTM estuaries are easily accessible to several universities and community colleges in the region including the University of North Florida (UNF) and Jacksonville University (JU) in Jacksonville, the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida Community College of Jacksonville (FCCJ), St. Johns River Community College (SJRCC) in Palatka, and Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC) in Daytona Beach. The University of Florida maintains an extensive research program through the Whitney Laboratory located at Marineland. Florida Sea Grant, affiliated with UF, also maintains an extension program located at the Marineland complex

Whitney Laboratory, founded in 1974, is a research institute of the University of Florida. Located near Matanzas Inlet on the border of St. Johns and Flagler Counties. Extensive aquaria, holding tanks and an excellent sea water system can support a variety of marine life studies

DEP has a number of programs that conduct, or may assist in future research and monitoring within the GTMNERR. The DEP District Office does routine monitoring of water and sediment quality and regulatory compliance. Some biological sampling and analysis is also performed. The North Florida Shellfish Environmental Assessment Section (SEAS, conducts routine monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas for fecal coliform and other parameters. The Florida Park Service, conducts field assessments and inventories on their property.

Management Status

The following are priority resource management within GTMNERR.
1. Scientific Understanding of Natural Systems and Human Interactions
2. Lack of Public Understanding of Estuarine Ecosystems and Values
3. Altered Land Use within the Watershed
4. Degradation of Water Quality and System Health
5. Increased and Conflicting Uses of Estuarine Resources

References

Adamus, E. C. (1992) Survey of recreational boat access in St. Johns County. St. Johns County Government, St. Augustine, FL

Bahr, L.M., W.P. Lanier. (1981). The Ecology of Intertidal Oyster Reefs of the South Atlantic Coast: A Community Profile. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Off. Bio. Serv., Washington, D.C. FWS/OBS-81/15. 105 pp.

Baker, H.A. (1988) Erosion at the Shell Bluff Landing Site (8SJ32). FL

Bur. Archael. Res., Div. Historical Resc. Tallahassee, Fl.

Deagan, Kathleen A. (1978) Cultures in Transition: Fusion and Assimilation among the Eastern Timuca. Pp.89-119 In J. T. Milanich and S. Proctor, eds., Tacachale--Essays on the Indians of Florida and Southeast Georgia. University Presses of Florida, Gainesville.

Department of Environmental Protection (1994a). A National Estuarine Research Reserve for the East Coast of Florida, Part I: Site Selection. FDEP, Division of Marine Resources, Bureau of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, September 1994.

Department of Environmental Protection (1994b). A National Estuarine Research Reserve for the East Coast of Florida, Part II: Nomination of the Matanzas River Estuary. FDEP, Division of Marine Resources, Bureau of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, September 1994.

Department of Environmental Protection (1994c). Northeast Florida District Water Quality Assessment 1994 305 (b) Technical Appendix. Standards and Monitoring Section, Bureau of Surface Water Management, Division of Water Facilities, Tallahassee, FL; November 1994 pp. 30-36.

Department of Environmental Protection (1998). Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Final Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan. FDEP, Division of Marine Resources, Bureau of Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas, Tallahassee, FL.

Department of Natural Resources. (1990). Guana River State Park Unit Management Plan. DNR, Division of Recreation and Parks, Tallahassee, Fl. 88 pp.

Department of Natural Resources (1991). Guana River Marsh Aquatic Preserve Management Plan, DNR, Division of State Lands, Bureau of Submerged Lands and Preserves, December 1991.

Durako, J. M., M.D. Murphy, and K. Haddad. (1988). Assessment of Fisheries Habitat: Northeast Florida. Florida Marine Research Publication, No. 45. Florida Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Marine Research, St. Petersburg, 51 pp.

Flagler County (1996) Management Plan for the Princess Place Preserve. Flagler County Planning Dept. pp 3-7.

Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. (1990). A Conceptual Management Plan for the Guana River Wildlife Management Area (St. John’s County, Florida). Division of Wildlife, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Tallahassee, Fl. 108 pp.

Graham, Thomas (1983) The Flagler Era. Pp. 181-210 In Jean Parker Waterbury, ed., The Oldest City. St. Augustine Historical Society, St. Augustine, Florida.

Mehta, A. J. and C. P. Jones (1977) Matanzas Inlet. Glossary of Inlets Report No. 5. Florida Sea Grant Program, University of Florida. 79 pp.

Miller, James J. (1991). The Fairest, Frutefullest and Pleasantest of All the World: An Environmental History of the Northeast Part of Florida. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania.

Newman, C. L. (1995) Of Crabs, Rice Plantations, and Shell Middens: The Guana Tract. St. Augustine Archael. Assn. Newsletter 10(3):1.

Readle, E.L. (1983) Soil Survey of St. Johns County, Florida; U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Survey, 196 pp. 56 sheets.

Scardville, Michael C. 1983. History and Development. In Soil Survey of St. Johns County, Florida. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. page 2.