Abstract
We examined the variation in plant community composition along the western coast of Key Wadin Island, of the Rookery Bay portion of the Ten Thousand Island chain. We observed plant community differences that were due both to beach sections of various ages and to the elevation of sand at which different species grow. Single plants from the vegetation were sampled at 5 meter intervals over a 1000 meter length of beach beginning at the growing southern apex of the island. Inspection of compiled data revealed that there was little significance in the interactive effect between species distribution and habitat along the shore (p=0.063). However, the product of regression analysis of plant position along the beach compared to distance from shore revealed a very strong correlation (p = 0.000, R2=0.709). This result could indicate that the strength and pattern of the local tides has shifted in the last two years, creating a greater force of water to wash away new seedlings while bringing in an increased volume of sand to swell beach size. This resulting theory requires future testing in order to reinforce its validity.