While exploring a barrier island along the Atlantic coast I found myself deep within a loblolly pine forest, wandering around in search of wild horses. I couldn't help but wonder how animals (and some plants) survive on the island considering the salt water that surrounds it, surely flooding the island during storms, and the relatively high water table that can't make life easy. Further research reminded me of a very important fact, one that I'd forgotten: salt water is more dense than fresh water. In the little forest pools like those pictured above, salt water from the water table and floods rests at the bottom of the pond, while fresh water from rain floats on top. This layered effect provides the drinking water necessary to support large and small fauna like horses, deer, rabbits, and more, while also providing a water source for those plants that aren't as salt-tolerant as loblolly pines. It was a neat little reminder that nature really does provide, and that life will find a way.
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