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The Nature Conservancy: Brochure on Sandy Island, South Carolina

 Brochure on Sandy Island

Photos: https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/sandy-island-preserve-guide.pdf

Google My Map: Sandy Island, SC

Sandy Island is home to two endangered species called the red-cockaded woodpecker and the longleaf pine tree.  Sandy Island is managed by The Nature Conservancy for its wildlife, conservation, and protection along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife.  Many different species are found on this island including deer, bears, and other rare species.  It is the largest freshwater island on the East coast that is protected.  The preserve is around 9,165 acres.  There are only three access points to the island and three trails to see the wildlife.  

What is Ecology?

 

Why is Biodiversity Important?

 Biodiversity is extremely important to make sure all species thrive in their natural environment. Primary producers should be monitored due to the critical need of the primary consumers.  The National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) monitors phytoplankton along all coastlines and waters in the United States.  We monitor for toxicity in phytoplankton so bioaccumulation and biomagnification don't occur.  I volunteer with NOAA and monitor phytoplankton. You can follow me on my blog https://phytoplankonncsc.blogspot.com/.  You can follow my journey by looking at my pictures and videos on researching and monitoring phytoplankton. 

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/phyto.html

Biodiversity on Sandy Island, South Carolina

 Sandy Island, South Carolina

I am interested in researching the biodiversity balance of Sandy Island, SC.  I currently live in Myrtle Beach, SC, and live in proximity to the island.  The island has three access points on it nestled within the inlets of the eastern coast of Georgetown County, South Carolina. It is the largest undeveloped freshwater island on the east coast (SC Picture Project, 2022).

GPS coordinates:	33.5898911°N, -79.1178191°W
County:	Georgetown
Population:	50 currently
Culture:	Gullah and Geechee  (Bell, 2016)
Elevation:	59 ft above sea level   (Wiersema, 2022)
Size:	12,000 acres or 40 sq miles

Photo: https://www.scpictureproject.org/georgetown-county/sandy-island.html

The island located between the Great PeeDee River and Waccamaw River now belongs to the people of South Carolina and The Nature Conservancy (SC Picture Project, 2022). The Nature Conservancy holds webinars on Sandy Island and its biodiversity often. Preservation and conservation are key. The Nature Conservancy researches a lot on this island due to the endangered flora and fauna that is located on the island.  The longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) and the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) are some of the endangered species listed and federally protected.  I have always been interested in freshwater ecology, islands, woodpeckers, and coyotes.  I would like to research this island more and understand the biodiversity located ten miles away from my home. 

References

Bell, C. (2016, May 19). Secluded Sandy Island deeply rooted in Gullah Geechee culture. WMBF News. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.wmbfnews.com/story/32019264/secluded-sandy-island-deeply-rooted-in-gullah-geechee-culture/

SC Picture Project. (2022). Sandy Island. SC Picture Project. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://www.scpictureproject.org/georgetown-county/sandy-island.html

Wiersema, L. (2022). Secrets of Sandy Island. South Carolina Tourism. Retrieved May 26, 2022, from https://discoversouthcarolina.com/articles/secrets-of-sandy-island

What is Biodiversity?

 “Biodiversity is having a sustainable balance of primary producers, primary and secondary consumers, and decomposers within an ecosystem that provides ecosystem services and has adapted to direct and indirect threats unseen.” -April Y Cudd

Dr. Sylvia Earle and Mission Blue: “Networks of marine protected areas maintain healthy biodiversity, provide a carbon sink, generate life-giving oxygen, preserve critical habitat and allow low-impact activities like ecotourism to thrive.” -Mission Blue

Natural History Museum: “Biodiversity is the incredible variety of life on Earth-from tiny bacteria to whales, rainforests to coral reefs.” 

Dr. Edward O Wilson: “Biodiversity includes life at the gene, species, and ecosystem levels and is the foundation of the world we know.” -Dr. EO Wilson

References

Horizon International. (2011). Sylvia Earle Alliance's Mission Blue and Partners Establish Ocean Hope Spots | HORIZON SOLUTIONS SITE. Horizon International Solutions site. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.solutions-site.org/node/1162

National Park Service. (2022, January 28). Dr. EO Wilson's Biodiversity Legacy Lives on at Rocky Mountain National Park (US National Park Service). National Park Service. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/e-o-wilson-biodiversity.htm

Natural History Museum. (n.d.). Biodiversity. Natural History Museum. Retrieved May 25, 2022, from https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/biodiversity.html