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Upland Ecosystems

Pine Flatwoods and Dry Prairies

Pine Flatwoods

An example of a Pine Flatwood ecosystem in South Florida. The pines in this picture are identified as Pinus elliottii.

Pine flatwoods are a prominent ecosystem found throughout Florida that are in part characterized by flat and low lying land, acidic soil, poor drainage, sandy soil and fire regulation. Pine flatwoods habitats in Florida typically have an open canopy that consists primarily of Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii), Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) or Pond Pine (Pinus serotina). Hardwood trees such as live oak (Quercus virginiana) and red maple (Acer rubrum) are found infrequently throughout the ecosystem. These organisms are found more commonly in flatwood ecosystems when the fire regime is suppressed. The open canopy allows for ample penetration of light to the understory and as a result will often have a relatively open canopy and support an extensive and diverse shrub layer, typically dominated saw palmetto(Serenoa repens), gallberry (Ilex glabra), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). The herbaceous layer of the flatwoods however is typically found to be much more sparse. Pine flatwood ecosystems can be found throughout Florida but there is a typically a difference in dominate species that changes with latitude. Northern flatwoods are commonly composed of Longleaf Pine while the southern flatwood ecosystems are dominated by Slash pine.

Notable animal species in pine flatwoods include: bobcats (Lynx rufus), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), white-tailed deer (Odecoileus virginianus), Florida panthers (Felix concolor coryi), red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus), yellow-throated warblers (Dendroica demonica), Bobwhite quails (Colinus virginianus), red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis), eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus), eastern indigo snakes (Drymarshon corais couperi), flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma cingulatum), oak toads (Bufo quercicus) and cricket frogs (Acris gryllus).

Dry Prairies

A Florida burrowing owl, a threatened species of owl found in some of Florida's ecosystems such as Dry Prairies

Dry prairies are another prominent Florida ecosystem and have a close relationship to Pine Flatwoods. Dry prairies often have similar habitat conditions such as sandy, acidic, poorly-drained soil, fire regulation, and low-lying land with level terrain. Additionally, dry prairie ecosystems are frequently found adjacent to pine flatwood ecosystems. The plant community in dry prairies consist primarily of low shrubs and grasses and characterized by a lack of trees. Retention of heavy rains causing prolonged flooding and more frequent fires help in making dry prairie habitats more prohibitive to tree growth than pine flatwoods. Florida dry prairies occur almost exclusively in central and south Florida, mostly centered around the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee. Dry prairies are home to several rare and endangered species, including Florida burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia floridana), crested caracaras (Caracara cheriway) and grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus). Other notable but common species include: Florida box turtles (Terrapene carolina bauri), glass lizards (Ophisaurus spp.), Florida ribbon snakes (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii), black racers (Coluber constrictor priapus), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), oldfield mice (Peromyscus polionotus), spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius), oak toads (Bufo quercicus), cricket frogs (Acris gryllus), pine woods tree frogs (Hyla femoralis), Henslow's sparrows (Ammodramus henslowii), red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) and common nighthawks (Chordeiles minor).

Temperate Hardwood Forests

An Eastern Indigo Snake, a threatened species of snake that can be found in several of Florida's upland ecosystems

The temperate hardwood forests of Florida typically occur along the Coastal Plain, the largest of which are near Gainesville, Ocala and Brooksville. Temperate Hardwood forests are typically found in inland portions of the state between pinelands and bottomland forests. The forest composition typically displays a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. In South Florida evergreen trees often will make up a greater percentage of the forest than in North Florida. The canopies of temperate Florida have much greater species richness that decreases as deciduous species reach the limit of their southern range and are replaced by evergreen species. Florida's temperate forests are often mesic in nature with soils composed in large part of sand and clay. These soils often have a large amount of organic matter and are relatively high in nutrients compared to much of Florida. The combination of organic matter and clay components of the soil help to retain moisture. However, there are often a range of moisture conditions that Temperate Hardwood forests will exist within and many will show drier conditions with species that are more tolerant of these conditions.

The community changes and succession of temperate hardwood forests are primarily dependent on three different factors; light, fire and large scale disturbances such as hurricanes. The dense canopy is efficient at blocking light and in turn the recruitment young trees is contained by light limitations. Often recruitment happens in gaps of the canopy that allow light to pass through. Light gaps in which trees can successfully grow range in size from that of a single tree to large opening that can support the growth of several new trees. Fire is another natural process that can promote new growth in temperate hardwood forests. However, in these forests fires are often low intensity and have only mild, localized impacts. Often the fires will occur on the outer edges of the forest and are rarely severe enough to even burn through the understory. However, damage from fires does still help provide some areas with opportunities of new growth. Additionally, large scale disturbances, such as hurricanes are effective in creating open canopy with allows the establishment of younger trees.

Some notable animal species in Florida's temperate hardwood forests include: racoons (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus), Florida panthers (Felix concolor coryi) Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) cedar waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum), chuck-will's widows (Caprimulgus carolinensis), great-crested flycatchers (Myarchus crinitus), and eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperi).

An example of a Florida scrub habitat at the edge of a seasonal pond

Scrub and High Pine

Scrub

Florida scrub ecosystems are forest ecosystems that occur in sandy, low nutrient and well drained soils throughout Florida. These habitats are dominated by shrub species, but the type of species varies dependent on the type of scrub habitat. There are several different types of Florida scrub ecosystems including; sand pine scrub, oak scrub, scrubby flatwoods, rosemary scrub, coastal scrub, and slash pine scrub. These different habitat types are characterized by differences in species composition and occur due to differences in fire regulation, geographic features and soil conditions. Infrequent, high intensity fires are essential to the regulation of scrub habitats. Fires in scrub habitats help to maintain the unique habitat conditions that many of the species present require to be successful.

Some notable animal species of Florida scrub habitats include: white-tailed deers (Odecoileus virginianus),Goff's pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis goffi), great-crested flycatchers (Myiarchus crintus), scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens), Bachman's sparrows (Aimophila aestivalis), gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), blue-tailed mole skinks (Eumeces egregius lividus), sand skinks (Neoseps reynoldsi), short-tailed snakes (Stilosome extenuatum), scrub lizards (Sceloporus woodi), sand skinka (Neoseps reynoldsi), and gopher frogs (Rana areolata aesopus).

This is an example of a Longleaf Pine, high pine ecosystem found in Devil's Millhopper State Geological State Park

High Pine

Florida high pine ecosystems are savanna-like systems characterized primarily characterized by wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana) and Longleaf pine dominance (Pinus palustris). Florida's high pine ecosystems occur primarily in Northern Florida. These habitats have limited coverage of shrubs and dense grass or herb coverage. Trees are widely spread and mostly Longleaf pine, though other species such as shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) may also be present. These habitats are heavily dependent on frequent and low intensity fires. Fire frequency historically would have ranged from every 1 to 3 years. Fires often occur during the growing season and help to reduce the competition of hardwoods. Today fire suppression and logging have caused major declines in High Pine ecosystems. In heavily disturbed areas Longleaf pine is often replaced with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) or shortleaf pine. Additionally, absence of wiregrass is well correlated with a history of disturbance in high pine habitats.

Some notable animal species of Florida High Pine habitats include; Sherman's fox squirrels (Sciurus niger shermani), pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis), ground doves (Columbigallina passerina), Eastern towhees (Pipilo erthrophthalmus), red-cockaded woodpeckers(Picoides borealis), gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus), blue-tailed mole skinks (Eumeces egregius lividius), eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperi), and short-tailed snakes (Stilosoma extenuatum).

South Florida Rockland

Rockland ecosystems in Florida form in areas with limestone outcroppings, which are common throughout south Florida, a thin layer of soil and relatively high elevation. Rockland habitats in South Florida today are highly fragmented, surrounded by either water or cities. There are two different types of rockland ecosystems commonly found in Florida: Pine Rockland and Rockland Hammocks. These ecosystems reach their northern ranges in South Florida and are found in the South Florida mainland and in the Florida Keys.

An example of a SLash Pine dominated South Florida Pine Rockland habitat

A male Key Deer, a species that can be found commonly in Rockland habitats

Pine Rockland

The canopy of the Pine Rockland ecosystems are typically dominated by Florida Slash Pine (Pinus elliotti var. densa) and will have a dense herbaceous layer. The shrub layer in Pine Rocklands is commonly diverse and consists of tropical hardwood species, a few palm species and a diverse collection of native herb species. The ecosystem is fire regulated with frequent fires reducing competition from hardwood species. These fires are typically low intensity surface fires and crown fires are uncommon. Burns typically occur every 3-7 years and fire exclusion for a few decades can lead to transition into a Rockland Hammock ecosystem. Most species present in Pine Rocklands are well adapted to fire and will either be relatively unaffected or sprout rapidly after a fire occurs.

Some notable Florida Pine rockland animal species include: cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor), white-tailed deers (Odecoileus virginianus), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), pine warblers (Dendroica pinus), red-shoulder hawks (Buteo lineatus), pygmy rattlesnakes (Sisturus militarius), southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus), and Miami black-headed snakes (Tantilla oolitica).

Rockland Hammock

Rockland hammocks are ecosystems dominated by hardwood species which are able to persist due to a lack of fire disturbance. Fires are often prevented in these areas due to natural fire breaks. Additionally, the ecosystem will form a moist micro-climate through its dense canopy and rounded profile, that helps prevent fire from spreading into the system. Differences in rainfall, elevation, salinity, minimum temperature and disturbance account for much of the variation between and among Rockland Hammock systems. In Rockland Hammock habitats the canopy and shrub layers are typically diverse and the herbaceous layer has relatively few species.

Some notable animal species in Florida Rockland Hammock ecosystems include: Key Largo woodrats (Neotoma floridana smalli), key deers (Odocoileus virginianus clavium), white-crowned pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala), mangrove cuckoos (Coccyzus minor), black-whiskered vireos (Vireo altiloquus), rim rock crowned snakes (Tantilla oolitica), and Schaus’ swallowtails (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus).