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Ecological site F154XA011FL

Wet Lithic Flatwoods And Hammocks

Last updated: 2/21/2024
Accessed: 12/03/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 154X–South-Central Florida Ridge

MLRA 154 is entirely in Peninsular Florida, and contains 8,285 square miles. The landscape of MLRA 154 is characterized by a series of parallel, prominent sandy ridges of Pleistocene marine origin, including the Brooksville and Mount Dora Ridges. These North to South oriented parallel ridges are interspersed with more low lying physiographic provinces, including: upland hills, plains, valleys and gaps (Puri and Vernon 1964). The extreme western portion of the MLRA consists of thin belt of coastal lowlands and marshlands.

Many of the soils of MLRA 154 are Pleistocene or Holocene sands that are underlain with older, loamy Pliocene marine sediments (Cypresshead formation) or the clayey Miocene marine sediments (Hawthorne formation). A combination of marine depositional events and the dissolution of underlying limestone (karst geology) is responsible for surficial topography throughout Peninsular Florida.

Classification relationships

All portions of the geographical range of this site falls under the following ecological / land classifications including:

-Environmental Protection Agency’s Level 3 and 4 Ecoregions of Florida: 75 Southern Coastal Plain; 75c Central Florida Ridges and Uplands (Griffith, G. E., Omernik, J. M., & Pierson, S. M., 2013)

-Florida Natural Area Inventory, 2010 Edition: Mesic Hammock, Hydric Hammock, Floodplain Swamp, and Floodplain Marsh (FNAI, 2010)

Ecological site concept

The central concept of the Wet Lithic Flatwoods and Hammocks includes shallow or moderately deep, poorly drained alkaline soils that have a sandy or loamy subsoil. All soils of this site occur in flat landscapes (<2% slope) and have limestone bedrock is within 40 inches of the soil surface. This concept includes shallow, sandy or loamy, poorly drained soils (Demory, Hallandale, Waccasassa, Wekiva series), and moderately deep, loamy, poorly drained soils (Boca series). This site is exclusive to the Coastal Marshes, Gulf Coastal Lowland, and the Tsala Apopka Plain physiographic units.

Associated sites

F154XA007FL	Moist Sandy Wet-Mesic Flatwoods This site is on similar drained soils that will have lithic contact deeper than 152 cm
F154XA012FL	Wet Rich Forests And Woodlands This site is on similar drained soils that will have lithic contact deeper than 152 cm

F154XA007FL

Moist Sandy Wet-Mesic Flatwoods

This site is on similar drained soils that will have lithic contact deeper than 152 cm

F154XA012FL

Wet Rich Forests And Woodlands

This site is on similar drained soils that will have lithic contact deeper than 152 cm

Similar sites

F154XA010FL	Moist Lithic Flatwoods And Hammocks This site Is on better drained soils that will influence changes in the types and amounts of vegetation present

F154XA010FL

Moist Lithic Flatwoods And Hammocks

This site Is on better drained soils that will influence changes in the types and amounts of vegetation present

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus virginiana (2) Sabal palmetto
Shrub	(1) Carpinus caroliniana (2) Persea palustris
Herbaceous	(1) Chasmanthium laxum ssp. sessiliflorum

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Physiographic features

The physiography of the area is among the best defined in Peninsular Florida with rolling topography consisting of ridges, hills, and dunes interspersed with low-lying valleys, depressions, and drainageways. The entire area is located within the Floridian Section of the Coastal Plain Province of the Atlantic Plain.

This site inhabits flats landforms with a thin mantle of sandy or loamy marine deposition with underlying limestone bedrock. Elevations are 1 to 50 feet (0.5 to 15 m) above sea level. This site occurs on shallow or moderately deep, sandy or loamy, poorly drained soils on lowlands in west-central Florida. Slopes are nearly level (< 2 %).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Marine terrace > Flat
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	None to rare
Ponding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	1 – 50 ft
Slope	2%
Water table depth	12 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate is characterized by humid subtropical with long hot summers and mild winters. In the winter months, Canadian air masses move across Peninsular Florida and produce cool, cloudy, rainy weather. Freezing temperatures are occasional; typically, fewer than 30 days of the year have low temperatures below freezing.

Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Average annual precipitation ranges from 45 to 55 inches. Highest monthly precipitation falls from June through October, with June through August being the wettest period. Winter rainfall is associated with cold fronts.

Hurricanes and tropical storms affect much of the MLRA 154 region. Catastrophic hurricanes make landfall along the Atlantic coast of Peninsular Florida on the order of two to four times per century. Strong winds and heavy rainfall affect the interior peninsula; rainfall from hurricanes and tropical systems vary widely but can exceed 20 inches from one storm. Hurricanes are most likely to occur between June and November and are most common in August and September.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	221-279 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	51-54 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	209-344 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	288-365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	50-54 in
Frost-free period (average)	262 days
Freeze-free period (average)	348 days
Precipitation total (average)	52 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) GAINESVILLE 11 WNW [USC00083322], Gainesville, FL
(2) BROOKSVILLE CHIN HILL [USC00081046], Brooksville, FL
(3) INVERNESS 3 SE [USC00084289], Inverness, FL
(4) LISBON [USC00085076], Leesburg, FL
(5) TARPON SPGS SEWAGE PL [USC00088824], Tarpon Springs, FL
(6) ORANGE SPRINGS 2SSW [USC00086618], Fort Mc Coy, FL
(7) SAINT LEO [USC00087851], San Antonio, FL

Influencing water features

Hydrology of this site is largely influenced by nearby waterbodies (Gulf of Mexico, rivers, and springs) and underlying karst features, including solution cavities, sinkholes, and chimneys. Most of this site occurs along the Coastal Lowlands adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by high-lying topography to the east. The modal concept for this site is areas of flats and surrounded by drier or wetter environments. The site is situated on poorly drained soils that have limestone bedrock that is shallow or moderately deep. Subsurface water flow is dependent on the depth to the underlying limestone and karst features. The presence, depth, and orientation of these karstic features affect subsurface water movement into the Florida Aquifer, Gulf of Mexico, or adjacent sites.

This site receives water from precipitation or through brief inundation from the Gulf during tropical storms. Water from the site discharges water through the soil into the Florida Aquifer, Gulf of Mexico, or to adjacent wetter sites. Low slope gradient, moderate to rapid infiltration and moderately slow to rapid saturated hydraulic conductivity results in negligible to very high surface runoff.

Soil features

Soils are poorly drained, moderately deep, loamy Arenic Endoaqualfs (Boca), poorly drained, shallow, sandy Lithic Psammaquents (Hallandale), poorly drained, moderately deep, loamy Aeric Endoaqualfs (Wekiva), or poorly drained, shallow, loamy Lithic Endoaquepts (Waccasassa) and Lithic Endoaquolls (Demory). These soils formed in sandy over loamy, loamy, or sandy marine sediments over limestone bedrock. The dominant representative slope for the correlated soil components ranges from 0 to 2%. Clay content is 2 to 30 %. Soil mineralogy is siliceous.

These shallow to moderately deep soils will restrict rooting depth and affect the available water capacity. The porous underlying limestone has fractures, solution cavities and other voids filled with soil material that roots will follow to extract moisture during dry periods. Without sufficient, periodic precipitation, shallower rooted species can develop moisture stress during the hot summers.

Figure 7. representative soil profile

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Marine deposits (2) Limestone
Surface texture	(1) Fine sand (2) Sandy clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Sandy
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow to rapid
Soil depth	6 – 40 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	5%
Surface fragment cover >3"	3%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	0.4 – 3.5 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	30%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	4
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	5.1 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	5%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	5%

Ecological dynamics

The Wet Lithic Flatwoods and Hammocks concept includes a very broad range natural community vegetation and environment. In general, plant community structure and composition are influenced by flooding, and to a much lesser degree, fire regimes. These vary considerably across the range of this site.

The presence of limestone substrate with shallow surface soils unifies this concept. Poorly drained soils over limestone support high soil moisture and periodic ponding from precipitation. Vegetation structure and composition varies with frequency and depth of inundation, with closed canopy forests of hydrophytic hardwoods inhabiting wettest conditions. Conversely, drier (and higher elevation) sites may support woodlands of pines and cabbage palms. Intermediate moisture and elevation conditions may support forests with pine-oak canopies.

In general, soils are acidic to slightly alkaline, with alkaline materials comprising the substrate (FNAI 2010). Limestone, calcium carbonate and shell fragments encourage growth of calciphytic plants in hydric hammock forests and cabbage palm-pine flatwoods.

Structure and composition of forests/woodlands are also variably affected by fire regimes as well. Pine woodlands of drier sites burn with much greater frequency. Pre European-settlement fire return intervals for wet flatwoods (including the wet cabbage palm flatwoods) are estimated on the order of two to three fires per decade (FNAI, 2010). A combination of drier site conditions and the presence of fine fuels support frequent fires in pine woodlands. Conversely, fire is very rare in the wetter environments of this site. Frequent flooding, high soil moisture, and closed canopy forests of hydrophytic hardwoods are inhospitable to fire ignition and spread.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 8. State and Transition Model

Figure 9. Legend for State and Transition Model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Mesic Hammock/Cabbage Palm Flatwoods

2. Restored pine flatwoods

3. Invasive non-native plant community

4. Active commodity production/Fallow fields

5. Hydric Hammock Forest

6. Flooded Forest or Marsh

7. Cleared/Drained land

State 1
Mesic Hammock/Cabbage Palm Flatwoods

The drier portions of this site support pine-oak woodlands and forests resembling the Mesic Hammock and Cabbage Palm Flatwoods natural community descriptions of FNAI, (2010). The drier variant of this site may be mosaic of closed canopy mesic hammock, dominated by live oak (Q. virginiana), and open pine dominated wet flatwoods with cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) as a major mid- and understory dominant. These mosaics of forests and woodlands occur in areas with shallow limestone substratum, mostly along the western coast of MLRA 154. In addition to slash and longleaf pines, loblolly pine may be common in the State 1 condition of the drier regions of this site. Herbaceous vegetation is common in Cabbage Palm Flatwoods, and includes hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia cappillipes), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens), black bogrush (Schoenus nigricans), blue maidencane, and sand cordgrass (Spartina bakeri). Mesic hammocks have sparse mid- and understory vegetation. Cabbage palm is frequent as a subcanopy dominant. Other hardwoods include American elm (Ulmus americana), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and water oak (Q. nigra). Fire is an important natural disturbance in State 1. The open pine woodlands of Cabbage Palm Flatwoods are maintained by frequent fire. Mesic hammock vegetation is generally inflammable, and fire may occur in these areas only in severe drought conditions.

State 2
Restored pine flatwoods

State 2 variously describes a grasslands and pine woodlands consisting of seeded and planted native species, OR a mixture of native and non-native herbaceous species. Notably, this state describes conditions where native propagules have been extirpated following long term fire suppression and/or extensive soil disturbance associated with commodity land uses. Native plant populations are purposefully re-established in this state, for the purpose of ecological restoration. The phases of State 2 include grasslands and, if native pines are planted, woodlands with herbaceous ground cover. These plant communities have restored ecological function and provide habitat for native wildlife species. Restoration of native grasses provides fine fuels for frequent ground fires and is necessary for restoration of ecological site dynamics. State 2 woodlands may provide suitable habitat for ground nesting birds and small mammals.

State 3
Invasive non-native plant community

State 3 describes a condition where one or several noxious non-native species has invaded and dominated the site. In the drier portions of this site, cogongrass is the most pervasive noxious invader. Cogongrass is not common in frequently inundated areas.

State 4
Active commodity production/Fallow fields

This state describes commodity land uses of the drier portions of this site, including cleared land, crop production and improved pastures. All phases of State 4 describe conditions following clearing and ground penetrating soil disturbance, to the degree that native ground cover is mostly absent. Generally these phases are characterized by the complete extirpation of native ground cover populations, including seed banks and dormant propagules, although native weedy species may persist (mostly annual species). Depending on the severity and frequency of ground disturbance, soil profile characteristics in the upper part of the soil may be altered.

State 5
Hydric Hammock Forest

State 5 represents closed canopy forests of flood tolerant evergreen hardwoods and palms. Hydric Hammocks are limited to moist soils with limestone close to the surface. Ponding and inundation are frequent, and related to rainfall and poorly drained and frequently saturated soils. This site does not occur in floodplains with seasonal overwash flooding. Forest composition is influenced by flooding frequency and depth of inundation. Cypress (Taxodium spp.) may be infrequently present where flooding is more pronounced. More commonly, canopy species include swamp laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), live oak (Q. virginiana), American elm (Ulmus americana), swamp blackgum (Nyssa biflora), sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana), red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and water oak (Q. nigra). Cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) may be abundant in all forest strata. The mid- and under-story vegetation of hydric hammocks is variable, and depend on small scale variations in hydrology and topography. Common species include many ferns and vines, as well as hardwood saplings.

State 6
Flooded Forest or Marsh

This state describes forested vegetation following long term permanent or semi-permanent flooding. Cypress and swamp blackgum may be dominant, along with other flood tolerant hardwood species. Alternatively, marshlands of perennial flood tolerant grasses and sedges may develop.

State 7
Cleared/Drained land

This state describes the condition similar to State 4. This state may follow clear-cut harvesting of hydric hammocks, and/or draining via ditching. If drained, land conversion to crop or timber production may be possible.

Supporting information

References

. Fire Effects Information System. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/.
. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.

Other references

Brook, R. M. (1989). Review of literature on Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel with particular reference to South East Asia. International Journal of Pest Management, 35(1), 12-25.

Bryson, C. T., & Carter, R. (1993). Cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica, in the United States. Weed Technology, 7(4), 1005-1009.

Carr, S. C., Robertson, K. M., & Peet, R. K. (2010). A vegetation classification of fire-dependent pinelands of Florida. Castanea, 75(2), 153-189.

FNAI (2010). Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL.

Gilliam, F. S., & Platt, W. J. (1999). Effects of long-term fire exclusion on tree species composition and stand structure in an old-growth Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) forest. Plant Ecology, 140, 15-26.

Glitzenstein, J. S., Streng, D. R., & Wade, D. D. (2003). Fire Frequency Effects on Longleaf Pine(Pinus palustris P. Miller) Vegetation in South Carolina and Northeast Florida, USA. Natural Areas Journal, 23(1), 22-37.

Glitzenstein, J. S., Platt, W. J., & Streng, D. R. (1995). Effects of fire regime and habitat on tree dynamics in north Florida longleaf pine savannas. Ecological Monographs, 65(4), 441-476.

MacDonald, G. E. (2004). Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)—biology, ecology, and management. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 23(5), 367-380.

Robbins, L. E., & Myers, R. L. (1992). Seasonal effects of prescribed burning in Florida: a review. Miscellaneous publication/Tall Timbers Research, Inc.(USA).

Schowalter, T. D., Coulson, R. N., & Crossley Jr, D. A. (1981). Role of southern pine beetle and fire in maintenance of structure and function of the southeastern coniferous forest. Environmental Entomology, 10(6), 821-825.

Puri, H. S., & Vernon, R. O. (1964). Summary of the geology of Florida and a guidebook to the classic exposures.

Varner III, J. M., Gordon, D. R., Putz, F. E., & Hiers, J. K. (2005). Restoring fire to long‐unburned Pinus palustris ecosystems: novel fire effects and consequences for long‐unburned ecosystems. Restoration Ecology, 13(3), 536-544.

Wade, D. D., & Lundsford, J. (1990). Fire as a forest management tool: prescribed burning in the southern United States. Unasylva, 41(3), 28-38.

Waldrop, T. A., White, D. L., & Jones, S. M. (1992). Fire regimes for pine-grassland communities in the southeastern United States. Forest Ecology and Management, 47(1-4), 195-210.

Walker, J., & Peet, R. K. (1984). Composition and species diversity of pine-wiregrass savannas of the Green Swamp, North Carolina. Vegetatio, 55, 163-179.

Yager, L. Y., Miller, D. L., & Jones, J. (2010). Susceptibility of longleaf pine forest associations in south Mississippi to invasion by cogongrass [Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.]. Natural areas journal, 30(2), 226-232.

Contributors

S. Carr
Rick Robbins

Approval

Charles Stemmans, 2/21/2024

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	02/22/2024
Approved by	Charles Stemmans
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site F154XA011FL

Wet Lithic Flatwoods And Hammocks

Last updated: 2/21/2024 Accessed: 12/03/2024

General information

MLRA notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 2/21/2024
Accessed: 12/03/2024