Description

MLRA 155, Southern Florida Flatwoods, makes up about 19,973 square miles (51,731 square kilometers) and is entirely in Florida. It stretches across the mid-section of the State, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, and north and south from the Everglades (MLRA 156A) to Jacksonville. This MLRA consists of a young sandy marine plain of Pleistocene age that is underlain by Tertiary-age limestone bedrock. The terrain is nearly level to gently sloping with large areas of swamp and marsh. Sinkholes affect land use and management. MLRA 155 is extensively intertwined with MLRA 154 across the western mid-section of Florida. These two MLRAs differ slightly based on elevation and depth to limestone bedrock. As depth to bedrock decreases, sinkhole formation and the accumulation of surface waters into water bodies increase. MLRA 155 surrounds MLRA 156B, which occurs as a pocket of significantly wetter, low-lying wetland with a diffuse boundary. To the south, MLRA 155 borders MLRA 156A, which has distinctly different use and management and an isohyperthermic soil temperature regime. Along the coastline and around the city of Orlando, this MLRA has been heavily urbanized. However, a significant acreage remains in agriculture for the production of citrus, specialty crops, and cattle. Surface water runoff from agriculture and urbanization are carefully monitored to help mitigate sinkhole development. The forestland in this area consists mainly of low-quality pine. It is grazed extensively. More than one-third of the area is improved pasture or native range grazed by cattle. The cropland is reserved for many kinds of winter vegetables. Some citrus fruits are grown. Other subtropical fruits are grown in the southern part of the MLRA. The major soil resource concerns are wind erosion, maintenance of the content of organic matter and productivity of the soils, and management of soil moisture. Conservation practices on cropland generally include conservation crop rotations, cover crops, irrigation water management (including micro irrigation systems), nutrient management, and pest management. Conservation practices on pasture and rangeland generally include prescribed grazing, brush management, pest management, prescribed burning, and watering facilities. Conservation practices on forestland generally include forest stand improvement, forest site preparation, prescribed burning, firebreaks, establishment of trees and shrubs, pest management, and management of upland wildlife habitat.