Histic Wetland Depressions
Scenario model
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No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
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Description
STATE 1A – Depression Marsh Herbaceous Wetland
This wetland site is dominated by herbaceous vegetation with some low growing shrubs in shallow rounded depressions embedded in flat poorly drained landscapes (although depression marshes do occur in sandhill landscapes in North Central Florida). Vegetation often appears to form “bands” which are coincident with length and duration of flooding. The center of larger depression marshes usually remain inundated year-round, and supports wetland and aquatic plants such as maidencane (Panicum hemitomon), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), bulltongue arrowhead (Sagittaria lancifolia), or sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense). Drier habitats of the outer zones support many species of beaksedges (Rhynchospora spp.), various grasses and low shrubs (several in the genus Hypericum).
STATE 1B – Dome Swamp
This is a forested depressional wetland. The most common canopy tree is pond cypress (T. ascendens), although in some cases black gum dominates (N. biflora). Because of the organic accumulations from greater biomass, coupled with less frequent fire, soils are mucks or peats. Herbaceous understory is variable, and also varies within the wetland according to hydro-period. Ferns are common ground cover.
Fire is a natural disturbance important for the maintenance of dome swamps and depression marshes. Fire frequency may be influential in differentiating the composition and distribution of the two community types.
Description
This state describes conditions related to land use conversion for community production. Drastic changes in hydrologic regime result from draining and clearing. Cleared and drain land may be cultivated for various crops or made into improved pasture.
Model keys
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.