Resources of Nassau River - St. Johns River Marshes and Fort Clinch Aquatic Preserves

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Parade ground of historic Fort Clinch at Fort Clinch State Park

Archaeological Resources
The coastal area of northeast Florida has over 100 identified sites of archaeological and cultural significance. The earliest occupation of the area dates back to 3500 BC. The early inhabitants were the Timucuan Indians who occupied southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida. Their predominance in these coastal areas attest to the appeal that the productive marshes, offshore waters and numerous inlets and natural ports has to its inhabitants.
Fort Clinch in Fernandina, is one of the historical sites which border the Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve. Fort Clinch is the original fortification with construction beginning in 1847. Today, the fort is a living museum with guided tours and reenactments.

Aerial view of Amelia Island
Fort Clinch State Park

Physical Characteristics
From the St. Johns River in Florida to the Santee River in South Carolina, the coast is known as the "Sea Islands". This name is derived from the barrier chain which is separated from the mainland by meandering tidal creeks resulting from fluvial and tidal sedimentation in derelict lagoons or coastal-parallel marshes between beach ridges.

Wood storks

Natural Communities
These environmentally sensitive preserves are dominated by salt marsh, which occurs in nearly unbroken pure stands. Salt marsh produces very high levels of primary plant production and frequent tidal flushing ensures the continuous transport of nutrients in and out of the estuary. Oyster bars, tidal flats and beaches are also important parts of this ecosystem. The preserves also extend into open ocean.

Wildlife
The communities of aquatic and wetland plants within the the preserves also perform major functions such as providing protected fisheries habitat for spawning and juvenile development, providing roosting and nesting habitat for water birds, stabilizing shorelines and buffering uplands from storm waves and winds. The preserves support 25 species that have been listed as Species of Special Concern, Threatened or Endangered.

Last updated: July 07, 2011