Cudjoe Key Keys Tidal Rock Barren Non-Reclaimed Land - Mine

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R156AY120FL

Subtropical Keys Tidal Rock Barrens of Southern Coast and Islands

Last updated: 4/14/2025
Accessed: 04/29/2025

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 156A / Ecological site R156AY120FL

USC

Metric

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): 156A–Florida Everglades and Associated Areas

This area makes up about 7,749 square miles (20,071 square kilometers) and is entirely in Florida. It is located at the southern tip of the State and has shoreline on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of America. Lake Okeechobee borders the MLRA to the north. Aside from sugar cane plantations in the north, the Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation comprise this area. Historical ditching, berming, and canals prevent natural water flow through this delicate ecosystem. To mitigate this, extensive restoration efforts have been implemented. Urban sprawl from Miami and cities to its north on the Atlantic Ridge has encroached along the eastern boundary of this area. Most of the MLRA has resisted urbanization because of a water table that is at or near the surface, a considerable acreage of unstable organic soils, and its identity as a national treasure.

About one-third of this area is in Native American reservations, national parks, game refuges, or other large holdings. Cypress forests are extensive in the area, but mangrove forests are widespread along the eastern and southern coasts. A large part of the area is open marsh. Much of the area is used for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. The cropland in the area is used mainly for winter vegetables, but citrus fruits, avocado, and papaya are grown on the better drained soils. Sugarcane is an important crop on the organic soils south of Lake Okeechobee. The acreage of improved pasture is increasing. Beef cattle are the principal kind of livestock, but dairying is an important enterprise locally. Urbanization is extensive along the eastern coast.

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 and soil subsidence. Conservation practices on cropland generally include conservation crop rotations, cover crops, nutrient management, pest management, water-control structures, surface drainage systems (field ditches, mains, and laterals), pumping plants, and irrigation water management (including micro irrigation systems and surface and subsurface irrigation systems). 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, firebreaks, pest management, prescribed burning, and management of upland and wetland wildlife habitat.

LRU notes

There is not an official LRU for the MLRA 156A area. For the time being the technical team recommended to add the four terrestrial physiographic provinces ecoregions (Big Cypress, Everglades, Southern Coast and Islands, and Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip) and one subaqueous ecoregion (Coastal Marine and Estuarine) on this section. This PES occurs within the Southern Coast and Island ecoregion.

The Southern Coast and Islands Ecoregion, 5 m and below (17 ft and below) in elevation and includes the Ten Thousand Islands and Cape Sable, the islands of Florida Bay, and the Florida Keys. It is an area of mangrove swamps and coastal marshes, coral reefs, various coastal strand type vegetation on beach ridge deposits and limestone rock islands. Although freshwater habitats are limited or non-existent in this region, any freshwater that does occur for periods of time may have great ecological significance. Coastal rockland lakes are small and number, occurring primarily in the Florida Keys. These waters are alkaline, with high mineral content and highly variable salinity levels. The rockland lakes provide important habitat for several kinds of fish, mammals, and birds of the Keys. Reductions in the fresh groundwater lens that floats on the denser saline groundwater can severely affect these lakes.

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: 76 Southern Florida Coastal Plain; 76D Southern Coast and Islands (Griffith, G. E., Omernik, J. M., & Pierson, S. M., 2013)

-Florida Natural Area Inventory, 2010 Edition: Marine and Estuarine Vegetative Wetlands; Keys Tidal Rock Barren (FNAI ,2010)

Ecological site concept

The Subtropical Keys Tidal Rock Barren of Southern Coast and Islands ecological community occurs in flat, wet, supratidal coastal zones along relatively low energy coastlines. These are rocky scrub soils without continuous cover with much exposed and eroded white limestone at the surface. The main sources of water are from the ocean, where saltwater reduces competition of freshwater species, and from rainfall and runoff from adjacent uplands, which flushes salt from the site and delivers nutrients. The Keys Tidal Rock Barren only exists within the Florida Keys found upon Key Largo Limestone in the Upper Keys and Miami Limestone in the Lower Keys. These communities help protect other inland communities by absorbing the brunt of tropical storms and hurricanes and by mitigating coastal erosion. The major threat to this ecological site is sea level rise, which is replacing these saltwater tolerant communities with coastal wetlands such as salt marshes and mangrove swamps, sites that are more adapted to frequent flooding. This ecological site is very fragile and maintains high ecological diversity.

Associated sites

F156AY130FL	Subtropical Forested Rocklands of Southern Coast and Islands The Subtropical Forested Rocklands of Southern Coast and Islands occurs in slightly higher landscape positions, and may grade into this community as marl and sand become more abundant. This site will support the growth of more upland terrestrial species on thin soils that are not influenced by tidal regimes.
R156AY110FL	Subtropical Tidal Saline Wetlands of Southern Coast and Islands The Subtropical Tidal Saline Wetlands of Southern Coast and Islands occurs in slightly lower terrestrial landscape positions, and may grade into this community due to pneumatophores ability to trap herbaceous material and create its own highly organic sediment for new seedlings to propagate on. In depressions within the Tidal Rock Barrens where organic matter has accumulated this site may be present as small inclusions.

F156AY130FL

Subtropical Forested Rocklands of Southern Coast and Islands

The Subtropical Forested Rocklands of Southern Coast and Islands occurs in slightly higher landscape positions, and may grade into this community as marl and sand become more abundant. This site will support the growth of more upland terrestrial species on thin soils that are not influenced by tidal regimes.

R156AY110FL

Subtropical Tidal Saline Wetlands of Southern Coast and Islands

The Subtropical Tidal Saline Wetlands of Southern Coast and Islands occurs in slightly lower terrestrial landscape positions, and may grade into this community due to pneumatophores ability to trap herbaceous material and create its own highly organic sediment for new seedlings to propagate on. In depressions within the Tidal Rock Barrens where organic matter has accumulated this site may be present as small inclusions.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Rhizophora mangle (2) Avicennia germinans
Shrub	(1) Conocarpus erectus (2) Lycium carolinianum
Herbaceous	(1) Leucanthemum vulgare (2) Monanthochloe

Download full description

Physiographic features

These sites are highly protected and very fragile and subject to extended hydroperiods and varying salinity levels, reducing competition from freshwater species. The vegetative communities help stabilize land in coastal environments and act as a buffer zone during extreme weather events protecting upland communities. This site is found in supratidal zones that can become inundated during storm events and high spring tides, limiting species growth to extreme halophytes. This site occurs on gently sloping landforms ranging from 0 to 1% and occurs from sea level to 3 feet. This site occurs in limited geographic extent to areas formed on Miami Limestone and Key Largo Limestone within the Florida Keys.

The Southern Coast and Islands ecoregion falls under three major geographic units, the Pliocene series Tamiami Formation, a poorly defined lithostratigraphic unit containing a wide range of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic lithologies and associated faunas occurring at or near the surface. The Pleistocene series Miami Limestone, oolitic facies consisting of white to orangish gray, poorly to moderately indurated, sandy, oolitic limestone (grainstone) with scattered concentrations of fossils and bryozoan facies consisting of white to orangish gray, poorly to well indurated, sandy, fossiliferous limestone (grainstone and packstone). And the Pleistocene series Key Largo Limestone, a white to light gray, moderately to well indurated, fossiliferous, coralline limestone composed of coral heads encased in a calcarenitic matrix. Fossils found in all three geologic formations occur as casts, molds, and original materials. The fossils include corals, mollusks, bryozoans, barnacles, corals, echinoids, foraminifers and calcareous nanoplankton. These formations are highly porous and permeable and are part of the Biscayne Aquifer of the surficial aquifer system (Scott, 2001).

Geologic substrate plays little to no role in the development of this ecological site, which is driven by the highly adapted saltwater tolerant species which are able to physically and chemical alter the substrate they grow on.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Geomorphic position, flats	(1) Talf
Geomorphic position, terraces	(1) Tread
Slope shape up-down	(1) Linear
Slope shape across	(1) Linear
Landforms	(1) Coastal plain (2) Island (3) Marine terrace > Barrier island
Runoff class	High to very high
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Flooding frequency	Very frequent
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	3 ft
Slope	1%
Ponding depth	Not specified
Water table depth	Not specified
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate of MLRA 156A is subtropical, with mild winters and hot wet summers. The average annual precipitation of this MLRA is 37 to 62 inches (950 to 1,565 millimeters). About 60 percent of the precipitation occurs from June through September. Most of the rainfall occurs during moderate intensity, tropical storms that produce large amounts of rain from late spring through early autumn. Late autumn and winter are relatively dry. The average annual temperature of the MLRA is 74 to 78 degrees F (23 to 26 degrees C). The freeze-free period of the MLRA averages 355 days and ranges from 345 to 365 days.

The following tables and graphs consist of specific climate stations found within the range of this ecological site within this MLRA.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	42-49 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	365 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	41-55 in
Frost-free period (average)	365 days
Freeze-free period (average)	365 days
Precipitation total (average)	47 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

Bar

Line

Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) KEY WEST INTL AP [USW00012836], Key West, FL
(2) KEY WEST NAS [USW00012850], Key West, FL
(3) BAHIA HONDA SP [USC00080414], Big Pine Key, FL
(4) CURRY HAMMOCK SP [USC00082046], Marathon, FL
(5) DUCK KEY [USC00082441], Marathon, FL
(6) CONCH KEY [USC00081795], Marathon, FL
(7) ISLAMORADA [USC00084320], Islamorada, FL
(8) TAVERNIER [USC00088841], Tavernier, FL
(9) JOHN PENNEKAMP SP [USC00084412], Key Largo, FL
(10) FLAMINGO RS [USC00083020], Homestead, FL
(11) EVERGLADES [USC00082850], Naples, FL

Influencing water features

The gulf and Straits of Florida are the two influencing saline water features to this ecosite. High spring tides and storm events flush the supratidal zone, limiting growth to only saltwater tolerant species within the supratidal zones. Occasional low-energy waves in the supratidal zone promotes plant growth as well as seedling and propagule establishment. Whereas constant high-energy waves can prevent the deposition of fine sediments and cause erosion of the sediment bank along the shore during times of extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tropical storms. In the Florida Keys, tidal wetlands are often found along the sheltered side of islands with low energy wave action, with the exposed side supporting high energy coastal communities such as beaches and dune systems.

Different zones of vegetation mark different salinity levels in which species to grow. Spring tides and storm events are some of the only times when this site is inundated. Spray from coastal winds, and shallow water table and soils limits the growth of plants. In depressions filled with peat, mangrove and salt marsh communities may be present and constantly wet. As the transition moves upland to a buttonbush community, more freshwater species are able to compete due to flushing from upland sources via sheet flow from rainfall. Increased salinity levels due to sea level rise push mangrove and salt marsh communities further inland at the expense of these communities.

Wetland description

Wetland Description: Cowardian
System: Estuarine
Subsystem: Intertidal
Class: Forested

Figure 7. Wave Energy (Average Breaker Height) in Florida modified from Fretwell et al. 1996. The SCI ecoregion falls under low wave energy, allowing for the dominant formation of tidal wetlands instead of coastal beaches similar to the MRR.

Soil features

Soils associate with this ecological site occur in the isohyperthermic soil temperature regime of MLRA 156A. The isohyperthermic soil temperature regime has mean annual soil temperatures of 22 °C (72⁰F) or more and a difference between mean summer and mean winter soil temperatures of less than 5 °C (41⁰F) at 50 cm (20 inches) below the surface.

Soils consist of discontinuous patches of thin marl soils over otherwise bare rock substrate. These are shallow, very poorly drained, highly carbonic and basic soils found over limestone bedrock or in slight depressions of exposed bedrock. Limestone is white in color, in contrast to the grey or black color of limestone exposed in lower tidal zones. Deeper depressions may accumulate peat and mud which can support mangrove swamps and salt marsh communities within the tidal rock barren. Representative soils for this community include Cudjoe and areas of Rock Outcrops (misc map units).

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Coastal marl – limestone (2) Residuum – limestone
Surface texture	(1) Marly silt loam
Drainage class	Very poorly drained to poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	32 in
Soil depth	16 – 32 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-32in)	2.7 – 5.4 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-32in)	70 – 90%
Electrical conductivity (0-32in)	24 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-32in)	50
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-32in)	8 – 8.2
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-32in)	4%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-32in)	1%

Ecological dynamics

The information presented in this ecological site description (ESD) and state-and-transition model (STM) were developed using archaeological and historical information, published and unpublished scientific reports, professional experience, consultation with technical experts, and NRCS inventories and studies. The information presented represents a complex set of plant community dynamic and environmental variables. Not all scenarios or plants are represented and included. Key indicator plants, animals, and ecological processes are described to help guide land management decisions and actions.

This ecological site is primarily dominated by salt tolerant species along low-energy coastlines. This site is found in high intertidal and supratidal zones and characterized by herbaceous and woody halophytic vascular plants. Fires are rare to non-existent in these communities. The main drivers behind the variations in this ecosite depend on salinity, tidal fluctuation, substrate, and wave energy. Keys tidal rock barren is a flat rockland with much exposed and eroded limestone and a sparse cover of stunted halophytic trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species. The limestone has a white color, in contrast to the grey or black color of the limestone exposed in lower tidal zones, and it is inundated by salt water only during the equinoctial high tides or during storm events.

This community is confined within Florida to the Florida Keys on limestone bedrock, found along both shores facing the Florida Bay as well as the Straits of Florida. Keys tidal rock barren occurs above the daily tidal range but is subject to flooding by seawater during extreme tides and storm events. Salt spray from coastal winds, as well as shallow soils, may limit height growth of woody plants. Depressions with deeper peat and mud soils support mangrove swamp and salt marsh communities, dominated respectively by mangroves or Gulf cordgrass (Spartina spartinae). This community supports a gradient between the upper and lower Florida Keys, with species in the upper Florida Keys tend to be dominant with succulent halophytes while species in the lower Florida Keys tend to be dominant of salt tolerant grasses. This gradient is due to a difference in salinity, with less permeable Miami Limestone keeping the Lower Keys rock barrens less saline than rock barrens on the more permeable Key Largo limestone of the Upper Keys, however, management is the same regardless of the geology. At its seaward edge, Keys tidal rock barren borders regularly inundated mangrove swamps. Areas with greater than 50 percent cover of red and black mangroves, either normal height or dwarfed, are considered mangrove swamp; areas with less than 50 percent cover of mangroves are Keys Tidal Rock Barrens. Keys tidal rock barrens may also border salt marsh dominated by Gulf cordgrass, usually found growing on mud in depressions in the upper tidal zone. At its upper inland limit, Keys tidal rock barren often borders the thorn scrub variant of rockland hammock, which, though it may have button mangrove. In other situations, Keys tidal rock barren may grade directly into forested communities. This area is usually highly modified, ditches cut into the limestone rock for mosquito control have smoothed out the salinity variations in this supratidal zone by draining off salt water after storms and allowing salt water to penetrate further inland on normal tides.

Human alterations of this community include complete destruction of this site via constructed shorelines or urban development (anthropogenic fill over bedrock). Mosquito ditches cut into limestone bedrock may have helped smooth out the salinity variations in this supratidal community by draining off saltwater after storms and allowing water to penetrate further inland on normal and high tide events. Sea level rise may result in the destruction of this habitat as well, pushing mangrove swamps and salt marshes further inland encroaching on this rare habitat.

State and transition model

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. Keys Tidal Rock Barren

2. Human Altered and Human Transported Areas

3. Permanently Flooded Hydroperiod

T1A	-	Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials
T1B	-	Increase in Long-Term Hydroperiod
T2A	-	Increase in Long-Term Hydroperiod

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Keys Tidal Rock Barren

1.2. Mangrove Swamp / Salt Marsh Encroached

1.1A	-	Sediment Accumulation / Species Development

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Reclaimed Areas

2.2. Urban

2.3. Non-Reclaimed Areas

2.1A	-	Urban Development
2.2B	-	Land Reclamation
2.2B	-	Industrial / Urban Development
2.3A	-	Land Reclaimation

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Exposed Bedrock

3.2. Open Water

3.1A	-	Permanent Flooding

State 1
Keys Tidal Rock Barren

Keys tidal rock barren is a flat rockland with exposed limestone in supratidal zone. They are dominated by salt tolerant species along low-energy coastlines, typically found in the supratidal zones, with little to no soil development. it is inundated by salt water only during extreme high tides or storm surges.

Characteristics and indicators. This site is characterized by herbaceous and woody halophytic vascular plants. They occur on white colored limestone, in contrast to grey or black colored limestone of lower tidal zones.

Dominant resource concerns

Wind erosion
Bank erosion from streams, shorelines, or water conveyance channels
Subsidence
Organic matter depletion
Concentration of salts or other chemicals
Ponding and flooding
Salts transported to surface water
Salts transported to ground water
Plant productivity and health
Plant structure and composition
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates

Community 1.1
Keys Tidal Rock Barren

This community is dominated by halophytic herbaceous and woody species found within the supratidal zones. It is a flat rockland with much exposed and eroded bedrock that is white in color and has a sparse cover of stunted species. It will have less than 50% cover of mangroves and other salt tolerant trees, shrubs, and grasses, with most areas exposed with limestone bedrock.

Dominant plant species

button mangrove (Conocarpus erectus), tree
red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), tree
black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), tree
white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), tree
saffron plum (Sideroxylon celastrinum), tree
shoregrass (Monanthochloe littoralis), grass
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), grass
seashore dropseed (Sporobolus virginicus), grass
ditch fimbry (Fimbristylis schoenoides), grass
bushy seaside tansy (Borrichia frutescens), other herbaceous
tree seaside tansy (Borrichia arborescens), other herbaceous
chickenclaws (Sarcocornia perennis), other herbaceous
turtleweed (Batis maritima), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Mangrove Swamp / Salt Marsh Encroached

This community describes a mangrove swamp or salt marsh community becoming established over a tidal rock barren and correlates directly with R156AY110FL. This transition is driven when depressions in the limestone outcrops become filled in with marl, sand, or organic matter and provides a suitable medium for growth. Areas of suitable soils of tidal rock barrens that are >50% mangrove or salt marsh species are considered mangrove swamps or salt marshes, and areas <50% are considered tidal rock barrens.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This transition is driven when depressions in the limestone outcrops are filled in with sand or organic matter which can support the development of species such as mangroves or salt marsh grasses.

State 2
Human Altered and Human Transported Areas

These areas include soils that were intentionally and substantially modified by humans for an intended purpose, commonly for terraced agriculture, building support, mining, transportation, and commerce. The alteration is of sufficient magnitude to result in the introduction of a new parent material (human-transported material) or a profound change in the previously existing parent material (human-altered material). They do not include soils modified through standard agricultural practices or formed soils with unintended wind and water erosion. When a soil is on or above an anthropogenic landform or microfeature, it can be definitely be associated with human activity and is assigned to a unique taxa, usually found as an "Urban land complex" within that communities' natural soil properties (e.g., Rock outcrop-Cudjoe complex, tidal-Urban land complex, 0-1% slopes).

Characteristics and indicators. Evidence of these areas include soils with manufactured items (e.g. artifacts) present in the profile, human altered-materials (e.g., deeply excavated or deeply plowed soil) or human-transported material (e.g., fill), and position on or above anthropogenic landforms (e.g., flood-control levees) and microfeatures (e.g., drainage ditches). Detailed criteria regarding the identification of anthropogenic (artificial) landforms, human-altered materials, and human-transported material are in the "Keys to Soil Taxonomy" (Soil Survey Staff, 2014).

Dominant resource concerns

Compaction
Ponding and flooding
Seasonal high water table
Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Plant productivity and health
Plant structure and composition

Community 2.1
Reclaimed Areas

Reclaimed areas are areas that have been modified through anthropogenic means that are restored to a natural or second-hand natural community. Areas that can be reclaimed are any intensity urban areas, and may be required to be reclaimed after urban use (e.g., active mines must be reclaimed). These practices include the identification, removal, and stockpiling soil materials before altering the land, and revegetation and replacement of soil materials after altering the land. This also applies to nearby urban areas that have been adversely affected by the anthropogenic activities.

Community 2.2
Urban

This urban community consists of development for human use. Urban areas include a variety of land uses, e.g., inner city or urban core, industrial and residential areas, cemeteries, parks, and other open spaces; the overall function which may benefit the quality of human life. These often form an urban soil mosaic, where the natural landscape has been fragmented into parcels with distinctive disturbance and management regimes and, as a result, distinctive characteristic soil properties. Within this community there are three different levels of urbanization, based off population dynamics, residential density, and intensity of development. These are labeled as low-intensity, medium-intensity, and high-intensity urban areas, which can eventually be split apart into its own separate state. Low-intensity urban areas may consist of single dwelling homes with little impact on the surrounding community which still somewhat represents the natural community (e.g., represents natural landscape, hydrology, and vegetation) , other examples of this are urban parks, cemeteries, or campgrounds with little urban development. Medium-intensity urban areas consist of larger urban dwellings with some natural features, but have been modified to meet urban needs (e.g., towns). High-intensity urban areas are areas of heavily modified areas with complete alterations of the natural landscape, hydrology, and vegetation to support a very large population, which once constructed is permanently altered (e.g., metropolis areas/ active mines).

Community 2.3
Non-Reclaimed Areas

Figure 8. Google Earth aerial of non-reclaimed area (fallow mine) found within Keys Tidal Rock Barren community in Cudjoe Key.

Non-reclaimed areas are areas that have been modified through anthropogenic means that are unable to be restored to a natural or second-hand natural community. Areas that cannot be reclaimed are areas under active mining status or mined areas before the Phosphate Land Reclamation Act in 1975, which leaves shut down operations alone. These areas also include fallow mines that have been flooded and are now permanent bodies of water.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

This shift in communities is driven by clearing and developing the land for the desired community.

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.1

This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiods and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

This transition is driven from heavy industrial or urban development which causes the land to become non-reclaimable. This transition is rare due to the many environmental laws and regulations that must be followed when developing.

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1

This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydroperiods and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.

State 3
Permanently Flooded Hydroperiod

This state describes the impact of increased hydroperiods from anthropogenic or natural causes that creates an altered hydrologic state resulting in permanent flooding. The impact of this causes destruction of the terrestrial community and may in time shift to a subaqueous community.

Characteristics and indicators. This state is characterized by permanent water levels in an area that was previously in an intertidal or supratidal zone.

Resilience management. This is a final state and unlikely and improbable to go back to the original reference state.

Dominant resource concerns

Seasonal high water table
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates

Community 3.1
Exposed Bedrock

This community is an area of open, unvegetated, exposed limestone bedrock. This site occurs when salinity levels become too prolonged for the existing vegetation to live on, and the vegetated areas are cleared. This can be natural from rises in sea levels or more frequent intense storm surges. This effect can be impounded from anthropogenic efforts such as old mosquito ditches dug into the rock, channelizing flow and allowing for greater saltwater intrusion.

Community 3.2
Open Water

This is the final state and is when alteration of the natural hydroperiod has left an area permanently flooded. No terrestrial vegetation representative of the reference state will be present but may support rooted submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) species if proper growth conditions are met.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

This is caused by anthropogenic or natural increases in hydroperiods causing the area to be permanently flooded.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

This is driven by increased hydroperiods, both anthropogenic and natural, which causes long-term flooding and permanently altering the state.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

This is driven by increased hydroperiods, both anthropogenic and natural, which causes long-term flooding and permanently altering the state.

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

This site is not the most suitable environment for large animals but is occupied by smaller insects and maritime species. Common species may include ants, earwigs, scorpions and spiders, typically found under moveable boulders or rocks. Maritime animals may include: the purple clawed hermit (Coenobita clypeatus), isopods (Ligia baudiniana), wharf crab (Sesarma cinereum), rapid crab (Cyclograpsus integer), gastropods (Tectarius muricatus, Truncatella bilabiata and Detracia bulloides).

Hydrological functions

Surface waters associated with this ecological site are characterized by a wide range of salinities from mesohaline to above 35 parts per thousand (ppt), low macro-nutrients concentrations (primarily phosphorous), relatively low oxygen concentrations, and frequently increased water color and turbidity. This ecosite is influenced by spring tides and from surficial fresh water sources such as rain. The vegetation depends on tides to wash sediment to estuaries or river deltas to support zonation and establishment as well as importing nutrients and oxygen and decreasing salt accumulation. Freshwater, through runoff from adjacent uplands or from rivers, flushes salt from the community and delivers needed nutrients.

This community is very fragile to the effects of sea level rise. While the rise of sea level is increasing roughly 1/8th of an inch per year according to NOAA, mangroves seaward and landward margins begin to retreat landward if unobstructed, encroaching on this rare habitat. If obstructed, this community will become smaller until it can no longer be supported and disappears.

During periods of storm events such as hurricanes and tropical storms, these sites help absorb much of the impact of the waves and wind, protecting inland communities. During these events, waves lose energy as they pass through the rocky environment and tangled above-ground roots, grasses, and shrubs, losing their ability to remove sediments from the system. In extreme events saltwater tolerant species may become inundated and die from high salinity content, leaving behind open bare limestone.

Recreational uses

This ecological community is a highly protected community but is still open to many forms of recreation. Recreation uses in these areas include wildlife viewing and photography, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and eco tours.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented was derived from NRCS clipping data, current and historical literature, field observations, and personals contacts with local, state and federal partners. This is a provisional level ESD and is subject to change as more information becomes available, for any questions please contact your local NRCS office.

References

. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deep water habitats of the United States.. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington DC. FWS/OBS-79/31 1–142.

Other references

Chadwick, J. 2011 Integrated LiDAR and IKONOS multispectral imagery for mapping mangrove distribution and physical properties, International Journal of Remote Sensing, 32:21, 6765-6781, DOI: 10.1080/01431161.2010.512944

Florida Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society. 1989. 26 Ecological Communities of Florida

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

Fretwell, J. D., Williams, J. S., & Redman, P. J. 1996. National water summary on wetland resources (Vol. 2425). US Government Printing Office.

Harshberger, John W. 1914. The Vegetation of South Florida South of 27 30 North, Exclusive of the Florida Keys. Philadelphia, Wagner Free Institute of Science, 1914.

Kambly, S., Moreland, T.R., 2009, Land cover trends in the Southern Florida Coastal Plain: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5054, 16 p.

McNab, W.H.; Cleland, D.T.; Freeouf, J.A.; Keys, Jr., J.E.; Nowacki, G.J.; Carpenter, C.A., comps. 2007. Description of ecological subregions: sections of the conterminous United States [CD-ROM]. Gen. Tech. Report WO-76B. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 80 p

McPherson, B. F., Hendrix, G. Y., Klein, H., & Tyus, H. M. 1976. The environment of south Florida: a summary report (Vol. 1011). US Government Printing Office.

Meadows, D. G., Caballero, J. P., Kruse, S. E., & Vacher, H. L. 2004. Variation of salinity in brackish-water lenses of two Florida Keys. Journal of coastal research, 20(2), 386-400.

Radabaugh, K., Powell, C., Moyer, R. 2017. Coastal Habitat Integrated Mapping and Monitoring Program Report for the State of Florida.

Ross, M. S., O'Brien, J. J., & Flynn, L. J. 1992. Ecological site classification of Florida Keys terrestrial habitats. Biotropica, 488-502.

Scott, Thomas M. 2001. Text to accompany the geologic map of Florida. Florida Geologic Survey, Tallahassee, Florida.

Stephenson, T. A., & Stephenson, A. 1950. Life between tide-marks in North America: The Florida Keys. The Journal of Ecology, 354-402.

Contributors

Jack Ferrara
Martin Figueroa
Craig Prink
Jamie Bean

Approval

Matthew Duvall, 4/14/2025

Acknowledgments

Big Cypress National Preserve Staff
Everglades National Park Staff
Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge Staff
Dry Tortugas National Park Staff
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Florida Natural Areas Inventory

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	04/14/2025
Approved by	Matthew Duvall
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: