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Figure 104. Aerial photo (1991) shows distinct nearshore rock ledge along seaward side of Boca Chica Key (Fig. 97C) and various ecosystem habitats (Table 2; see Benthic Ecosystems for Tile 7 and Tile 8). Hardwood and mangrove habitats dominate onshore. Patch reefs dominate an inshore hardbottom community on the rock ledge. Despite presence of airport runways built where the land was high enough to support hardwoods, this part of Boca Chica Key is not densely urbanized due to most elevations being at or near sea level. Sediments in this area are thin (~6 to 8 cm). Boca Chica Channel is cut through limestone and is maintained by dredging.

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Coastal & Marine Geology Program > Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies > Professional Paper 1751