Biscayne National Park

The park protects four primary ecosystems. Along the mainland shoreline of Biscayne Bay lies the longest stretch of Mangrove Forest on Florida's east coast. Though only a small part of the park, mangroves are critically important to the park's food chain. Biscayne Bay, the park's namesake, is a broad, shallow body of water teeming with life. Its southern end, still relatively pristine, provides abundant recreational opportunities. The Florida Keys are ancient coral reefs left exposed when sea levels dropped (for more information on the park's geology, see Geology Fieldnotes — Biscayne). The northernmost 50 or so islands, untethered by roads or bridges, offer a glimpse into what all of the Keys looked like before development. The world's third-longest Coral Reef tract begins in Biscayne National Park. Home to over 200 species of fish and countless other marine plants and animals, it is one of the best-preserved reefs in Florida. (from: http://www.nps.gov/archive/bisc/resource/index.htm)