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): 156B–Southern Florida Lowlands
This area is in the Floridian section of the Coastal Plain province of the Atlantic Plain. It is on nearly level lowlands. A few hummocks rise 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) above the general level of the landscape. Elevation ranges from near sea level to 26 feet (8 meters).This area is a dominantly wetland ecosystem that has been heavily influenced by human activity. It supports hummock and slough wetland vegetation. Remaining native savanna and scrub areas consist of native grasses, forbs, sedges, and a few scattered pines. Slash pine and cabbage palm are the dominant overstory species. Saw palmetto, cordgrasses, and bluestems make up the understory. Major wildlife species include white-tailed deer, feral hog, gray fox, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, rabbit, tree squirrel, wild turkey, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, Florida mallard, and woodpecker.
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; 75d Eastern Florida Flatwoods (Griffith, G. E., Omernik, J. M., & Pierson, S. M., 2013)
-Florida Natural Area Inventory, 2010 Edition: Hydric Hammock (FNAI, 2010)
-Soil Conservation Service, 26 Ecological Communities of Florida: 12- Wetland Hardwood Hammock (Florida Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society, 1989)
Ecological site concept
The Wet Hardwood Forest ecological site is characterized by low, flat, very poorly to poorly drained oak and palm dominated forests that flood during the wet season. Flooding is typically long and is contributed from rivers, seepage, and spring discharge, which usually control growth of understory herbaceous species. Ponding may also be present in slight micro lows and accumulate for extended periods. Fire may be present but rare. In the Southern Florida Lowlands MLRA, this ecosite may occur between lower wetter communities such as freshwater marshes and cypress swamps, and higher, drier communities such as pine flatwoods and mesic hammocks.
The Mineral Floodplain Marshes and Swamps are very poorly drained communities that may occur in lower landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Mineral Floodplain Marshes and Swamps are found in mineral soils, flooding more frequently allowing for the growth of dominantly hydrophytic herbaceous and woody species.
The Mineral Isolated Marshes and Swamps are very poorly drained communities that may occur in lower landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Mineral Isolated Marshes and Swamps are found in mineral soils, ponding more frequently allowing for the growth of dominantly hydrophytic herbaceous and woody species.
The Histisol Floodplain Marshes and Swamps are very poorly drained communities that may occur in lower landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Histisol Floodplain Marshes and Swamps are found in organic soils, flooding more frequently allowing for the growth of dominantly hydrophytic herbaceous and woody species.
The Histisol Isolated Marshes and Swamps are very poorly drained communities that may occur in lower landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Histisol Isolated Marshes and Swamps are found in organic soils, ponding more frequently allowing for the growth of dominantly hydrophytic herbaceous and woody species.
The Sandy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks are poorly drained communities that may occur in higher landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Sandy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks will generally grade into the Wet and hardwood forest with a sharp transitional boundary.
The Sandy over Loamy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks are poorly drained communities that may occur in higher landscape positions adjacent to this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite. Sandy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks will generally grade into the Wetland and hardwood forest with a sharp transitional boundary.
The Histisol Floodplain Marshes and Swamps ecosite may be confused with the altered community in the flooded forest state of this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite where hardwood species begin encroaching due to absence of fire over time. The main difference is that the Wet Hardwood Forest is a mineral soil that has a closed canopy of oak with few cypress.
The Mineral Floodplain Marshes and Swamps ecosite may be confused with the altered community in the flooded forest state of this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite where hardwood species begin encroaching due to absence of fire over time. The main difference is that the Wet Hardwood Forest is a mineral soil that has a closed canopy of oak with few cypress.
The Histisol Isolated Marshes and Swamps ecosite may be confused with the altered community in the ponded forest state of this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite where hardwood species begin encroaching due to absence of fire over time. The main difference is that the Wet Hardwood Forest is a mineral soil that has a closed canopy of oak with few cypress.
The Mineral Isolated Marshes and Swamps ecosite may be confused with the altered community in the ponded forest state of this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite where hardwood species begin encroaching due to absence of fire over time. The main difference is that the Wet Hardwood Forest is a mineral soil that has a closed canopy of oak with few cypress.
The Sandy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks ecosite may be confused with the altered community of the fire-suppressed hammock state and this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite which is dominant by similar species and forest composition. The main difference is the Wet Hardwood Forest will have less mesophytic oaks and will not have an emergent pine canopy.
The Sandy over Loamy Pine Flatwoods and Hammocks ecosite may be confused with the altered community of the fire-suppressed hammock state and this Wet Hardwood Forest ecosite which is dominant by similar species and forest composition. The main difference is the Wet Hardwood Forest will have less mesophytic oaks and will not have an emergent pine canopy.
These ecological sites are dominated by linear convex flats and hammocks which are slightly above the lower communities that become ponded and flooded for the majority of the year. These very poorly to poorly drained communities are often flooded and ponded for no more than 60 days per year, typically in the wet season (June to September) after heavy rains. While flooding occurs during one period of the year, the soils remain moist throughout the year. This was a common community along the river systems in the Upper St. Johns River Basin and in limestone depressions before urbanization, but now are reduced to fragments.
Geomorphic positions include knolls in areas slightly above that of adjacent wetlands or river systems. Flooding and ponding is attributed to water coming from upland source due to rainfall and seepage, and occasional over-land flow from adjacent river or swamp/ marsh systems.
Long (7 to 30 days) to very long (more than 30 days)
Flooding frequency
Occasional to frequent
Ponding duration
Long (7 to 30 days)
Ponding frequency
Occasional to frequent
Elevation
3–45 ft
Slope
2%
Ponding depth
30 in
Water table depth
18 in
Aspect
Aspect is not a significant factor
Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Runoff class
Medium to very high
Flooding duration
Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to very long (more than 30 days)
Flooding frequency
None to frequent
Ponding duration
Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to very long (more than 30 days)
Ponding frequency
None to frequent
Elevation
3–45 ft
Slope
2%
Ponding depth
30 in
Water table depth
18 in
Climatic features
The climate of east central Florida is warm and temperate getting an average annual precipitation amount of 40 to 62 inches (1,015 to 1,575 millimeters). About 60 percent of the precipitation occurs from June through September. The center of the area is the driest part. Most of the rainfall occurs as 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 is 73 to 78 degrees F (23 to 25 degrees C). The freeze-free period averages 365 days.
Table 4. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range)
365 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)
365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)
53-60 in
Frost-free period (actual range)
365 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)
365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)
52-61 in
Frost-free period (average)
365 days
Freeze-free period (average)
365 days
Precipitation total (average)
56 in
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
(2) CANAL POINT USDA [USC00081276], Belle Glade, FL
(3) PORT SALERNO 5W [USC00087304], Stuart, FL
(4) MELBOURNE INTL AP [USW00012838], Melbourne, FL
(5) TITUSVILLE [USC00088942], Titusville, FL
(6) FT PIERCE ST LUCIE CO INTL AP [USW00012895], Fort Pierce, FL
Influencing water features
The main source of water to wet hardwood forests in this area is from rainfall, overland flow and seepage from upland communities as well as, discharge from deep aquifers, and flooding from nearby adjacent rivers. Contributions of these inputs vary among individual hammocks and with the season. Depth of water, frequency, and duration of flooding and ponding vary from individual hammocks based on the surrounding vegetative communities. Hammocks adjacent to rivers will flood longer and more frequent than hammocks situated between more mesic communities. Subsurface layers of clay or loam, or a shallow depth to limestone bedrock all affect the seasonal high-water table and vary slightly. Dense vegetation and flat topography of wet hardwood forests will slow the movement of water through the hammock and slow the drainage out through lower communities.
Wetland description
Classification: Cowardin
System: Palustrine
Subsystem: NA
Class: Forested Wetland
Soil features
These poorly and very poorly drained soils, formed under conditions of saturation, with standing to slow moving water for brief periods during the growing season. Wet hardwood forests soils generally are sandy or loamy, low to moderate in organic matter content, and slightly acidic to slightly basic. Limestone bedrock lies close to the surface of many hammocks; with calcium being provided to the area by flooding or seeping water or by shells and limestone fragments in the soil. Representative soils within this MLRA may include Winder, Hilolo, and Bradenton.
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material
(1) Marine deposits (2) Alluvium
Surface texture
(1) Fine sand
(2) Fine sandy loam
(3) Loamy fine sand
(4) Loamy sand
(5) Sand
Drainage class
Very poorly drained to poorly drained
Permeability class
Slow to rapid
Depth to restrictive layer
13–34 in
Soil depth
13–34 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"
Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"
Not specified
Available water capacity (0-34in)
3.9–6.4 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-34in)
15%
Electrical conductivity (0-34in)
1 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-34in)
1
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-34in)
6.1–8.2
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-34in)
2–17%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-34in)
Not specified
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.
Wet hardwood forests are evergreen hardwood and/ or palm forests with a variable understory typically dominated by palms and ferns occurring on moist soils, with limestone bedrock often at or very near the surface. They are characterized by a closed canopy with a dominance of oak species and cabbage palms. While the species composition of wet hardwood forests is similar to that of mesic hammocks and other swamp communities, these areas are unique in their assemblage of these species. They are typically low in height, no greater than 80 ft, with a closed canopy and sparse to open understory. Epiphytes are vastly abundant growing on tree trunks and limbs. What species exist in the understory compose of hydrophytic grasses, sedges, and ferns.
Differences in abiotic factors vary from each individual hammock, leading to minor shifts in vegetation composition and structure, but all share similar characteristics. Wet hardwood forests reside on flat terrain, due to recently exposed ocean-smoothed marine terraces. The main driving factor which all hammocks reside on is the presence of a high-water table, which may be produced in a variety of ways. Many hammocks in this ecoregion receive a high-water table from rainfall during the wet season, seepage and runoff from uplands, and occasional river overflow. Rainfall, either acting directly or indirectly as runoff or overflow, raises the water table above the surface causing flooding for typically no more than 60 days per year. During the wet season water is typically slow moving around 1 mph, which is better tolerated in hammocks than standing water due to the higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen. This above ground water table helps limit the growth of xerophytic understory species. Decreases in hydrology due to drainage or ditching may shift the plant composition to a mesic hammock, allowing for the growth of shrubs such as saw palmetto. Increases in hydrology due to prolonged flooding may shift the community towards a cypress dominated swamp.
Fire is not considered an important driver for this site, but if within a pyrogenic community, fire may be more frequent than if in a swamp community. Much of the species are tolerant of light ground fires and burn during the dry season to maintain community structure. In periods of drought intense fires may burn the little organic matter deposited and shift the community towards a cabbage palm dominated forest.
State and transition model
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Wet Hardwood Forests are evergreen hardwood and/ or palm forests with a variable understory typically dominated by closed canopies of palms and oaks occurring on moist soils, with limestone bedrock often at or very near the surface. These hammocks are subject to flooding from runoff in upland sites and from overflow from adjacent river systems during the wet season.
Characteristics and indicators. Wet hardwood forests are typically low in height, no greater than 80 ft, with a closed canopy and sparse to open understory. Epiphytes are vastly abundant growing on tree trunks and limbs. What species exist in the understory compose of hydrophytic grasses, sedges, and ferns.
Community 1.1 Wet Hardwood Forest
This reference community is dominated with a closed canopy of oaks and palms, and typically has an open understory and a sparse to a moderate groundcover of grasses and ferns. Oak is the dominating species with cabbage palms as a common co-dominant. Pine species may be present in the emergent overstory but is less frequently encountered. Each individual hammock is unique in flooding frequency and depths which can create variable understory cover. They are typically low in height with a vast amount of epiphytes growing on tree trunks and limbs, contributing to a very diverse species assemblage.
Resilience management. Flooding is the main driver in this community. Species composition is mainly influenced by flooding patterns. Frequency and depth of inundation have a profound effect on oak canopy composition as well, more saturated conditions supporting laurel oak while less saturated conditions support live oaks. Fire is not an important ecological driver in Wet Hardwood Forests. These species have adapted to have thick bark to be tolerant of light surface fires which are not frequent but may occur in periods of extreme dryness.
Intense fires, which can follow drought or drainage, may kill the overstory oak species and may replace this community with cabbage palm trees. Oaks and palms are tolerant of light surface fires, with intense fires favoring the growth of cabbage palms while killing the oak species. This community is rare however due to the rarity of fires within the wet hardwood forest system. Selective logging of oak species may also allow for the palm species to become the dominant overstory species. This community is characterized by a dominance of cabbage palms in the overstory rather than a codominance with oak species.
This transition is driven by the removal of overstory oaks. This may be from selective logging of the oak species, which can allow for the release of cabbage palm growth into the overstory. Intense Fire may also help transition this to become a more palm dominant forest.
Context dependence. Fire is rare in wet hardwood forests, but in periods of extreme drought or effects of drainage may leave the area vulnerable to intense fires. Oak species are tolerant of light surface fires to maintain community structure, but intense fires may kill their root system and the tree. Cabbage palms however are tolerant of intense fires and favor them for optimal growth.
State 2 Coniferous Forest
While wet hardwood forests are tolerant and dependent on occasional flooding to maintain community composition, an increase in long term hydroperiod may shift species vegetation towards more hydrophytic compositions such as a cypress dominated swamp. Increases in long term hydroperiods can occur through anthropogenic alterations such as impoundments or from increases in mean annual precipitation over time.
Community 2.1 Oak / Palm Dominated Cypress Forest
This community may be present where there has been a large increase in hydrology within the wet hardwood forest community. This may happen due to fragmentation of a habitat, allowing flooding for longer periods of the year. This change is characterized by longer periods of flooding as well as the major presence / replacement of hydrophytic species in the overstory such as cypress.
While wet hardwood forests are tolerant and dependent on flooding to maintain community composition, decreases in long term hydroperiod may shift species vegetation towards more mesic and xerophytic compositions. Slight decreases in hydrology in wet hardwood forests is reflected by the presence of drier vegetation such as saw palmetto and live oak. This decreases in long term hydroperiod can occur anthropogenically from drainage and ditching or from extended periods of drought.
Community 3.1 Mesic Hammock
This community is the result of a decrease in long-term hydroperiod within a wet hardwood forest. This may be due to the effect of fragmentation or drainage of the site for preparation of rangeland or agricultural lands adjacent. It is represented by a presence of mesic species in the understory such as saw palmettos and more xerophytic shrubs. Note this is an altered wet hardwood forest and not a reference community of mesic hammock.
This state consists of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Non-Native Category 1 Species list . More information on these species list can be found:
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/63140/file/Florida%E2%80%99s_Pest_Plants.pdf
or by contacting the UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/), the UF / IFAS Assessment of Non-native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas (https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/), or the FWC Invasive Plant Management Section (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/invasive-plants/).
These species are common in areas where natural processes are interrupted via hydrology or fire regimes. The introduction of these species pose serious threats to endangered and threatened habitats and plants within Florida as they become outcompeted for habitats and nutrients.
Characteristics and indicators. Non-Native species include species that exist outside of Florida's natural range and are introduced to the state via people, weather events, or any other means.
Resilience management. This state can be found as a part of any other state and can completely replace the native habitat if not properly managed. Restoration to natural communities after exotic non-native invasion includes practices such as mechanical, biological, and chemical removal.
State 5 Managed Resource Areas
The following communities comprise the major land uses in the United States and the land uses receiving the majority of the conservation treatment that address soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources within the USDA.
Characteristics and indicators. These land uses consist of areas that are not completely naturalized (i.e. native habitat) and have been anthropogenically altered for commodity production.
Community 5.1 Rangeland
Rangelands are described as lands on which the indigenous vegetation is predominately grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, and possibly shrubs or dispersed trees. Existing plant communities can include both native and introduced plants. Primary export from Florida ranges are cattle and have been present in the state since their first introduction by Spanish explorers in 1521. This is the reference community for this state because it requires very little alterations to the landscape for grazing species.
Rangelands provide a diversity of ecosystems and also provide a diverse and significant production of economic benefits and ecosystem goods and services. Livestock production along with sustainable wildlife populations provide for the major direct economic benefits, but also tourism, recreational uses, minerals/energy production, renewable energy, and other natural resource uses can be very significant. Vital ecosystem contributions include clean water, clean air, fish/wildlife habitat, as well as intangible considerations such as historical, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual values.
Resilience management. Grazing, by both domestic livestock and wildlife, is the most common ecological management process, with fire and weather extremes also being significant ecological factors. For information regarding specific cattle grazing techniques please contact your local NRCS office.
Community 5.2 Open Transitional Managed Communities
This is an area that is managed to maintain open land before shifting to another community. These communities are often used as transitional periods from one practice to another and could lead to an abandoned / fallow field.
Community 5.3 Pasture
Pasture is a land use type having vegetation cover comprised primarily of introduced or enhanced native forage species that is used for livestock grazing. Pasture vegetation can consist of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture. The majority of these forages are introduced, having originally come from areas in other states or continents. Most are now naturalized and are vital components of pasture based grazing systems.
Pasture lands provide many benefits other than forage for livestock. Wildlife use pasture as shelter and for food sources. Well managed pasture captures rainwater that is slowly infiltrated into the soil which helps recharge groundwater. Many small pasture livestock operations are near urban areas providing vistas for everyone to enjoy. It is especially important as livestock grazers continue to experience extraordinarily high fuel and other input costs. This community correlates with the 2013 Florida Forage Suitability Group G156BC341FL (Loamy and Clayey Soils on Flats of Hydric or Mesic Lowlands).
Resilience management. Pastures receive periodic renovation and cultural treatments such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated or drained. For more information regarding specific pasture management please contact your local NRCS office.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0002, Bahiagrass (Pensacola). Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Introduced Warm Season Perennial Grass: Bahiagrass (Pensacola) (Paspalum notatum, pH 5.0 – 6.5).
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Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0003, Bahiagrass (Argentine). Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Introduced Warm Season Perennial Grass: Bahiagrass (Argentine) (Paspalum notatum, pH 5.0 – 6.5).
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Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0013, Bermudagrass (Jiggs). Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Introduced Warm Season Perennial Grass: Bermudagrass (Jiggs) (Cynodon dactylon).
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Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0014, Limpograss. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Introduced Warm Season Perennial Grass: Limpograss (Hemarthria altissima).
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Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0008, Stargrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Introduced Warm Season Perennial Grass: Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis).
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Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0005, Native Warm Season Perennial Grasses. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Native Warm Season Perennial Grasses.
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Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0015, Eastern Gamagrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Native Warm Season Perennial Grass: Eastern Gamagrass.
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Figure 15. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0016, Switchgrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Native Warm Season Perennial Grass: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).
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Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0006, Rhizoma Perennial Peanut. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Legume or Legume/ Grass Combination: Rhizona Perrenial Peanut (Arachis glabrata, pH 5.8-7.0).
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Figure 17. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0017, Carpon Desmodium / Bahiagrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Legume or Legume/ Grass Combination: Carpon desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon) / Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum, pH 5.0 – 6.5).
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Figure 18. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0018, White Clover / Argentine Bahiagrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Legume or Legume/ Grass Combination: White Clover (Trifolium repens, pH 6.0-7.5) / Argentine Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum, pH 5.0 – 6.5).
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Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0009, Annual Ryegrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Cool Season Annual Grass: Annual Ryegrass (Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum).
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Figure 20. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0010, Small Grains. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Cool Season Annual Grass: Small Grains (Oat [Avena sativa], Rye [Secale cerale], Wheat [Triticum aestivum], Triticale [x Triticosecale rimpaui].
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Figure 21. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0011, Sorghum-Sudangrass. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distrubtion for Warm Season Annual Grasses: Sorghum X Sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor; includes forage sorghum, sudangrass, and their hybrids).
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Figure 22. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). FL0020, Japanese Millet. Growth Curves and Dry Matter Distribution for Warm Season Annual Grass: Japanese Millet (Echinochloa esculenta).
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Community 5.4 Agriculture
The agriculture industry includes cultivated crops, aquaculture, and apiculture. Cultivated cropland includes areas used for the production of adapted crops for harvest. These areas comprises land in row crops or close-grown crops that are in a rotation with row or close-grown crops. Primary exports from Florida consist of fruits, greenhouse and nursery products, sugar cane, and the signature export of citrus. Aquaculture includes the cultivation and maintenance of aquatic plants, aquatic reptiles, crustaceans, food/ ornamental fish, shellfish, and other miscellaneous species for harvesting. Apiculture includes the maintenance of honeybees and hives to provide beeswax, honey/ other edible bee products, crop pollination services, and sales of bees to other beekeepers. These areas have been modified with land use conversion practices and hydrologic management to fit the growers needs.
Resilience management. Major natural resource concerns facing cropland include: (1) erosion by wind and water, (2) maintaining and enhancing soil quality, (3) water quality from nutrient and pesticides runoff and leaching, and (4) managing the quantity of water available for irrigation. For more specific information regarding cropland please contact your local NRCS office.
Community 5.5 Silviculture
Silviculture is land used in controlling the establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and recreation on a sustainable basis. These are forestry practices that include thinning, harvesting, planting, pruning, prescribed burning and site preparation, for managed goals such as wildlife habitat creation or harvesting. Many managed silvicultural lands in Florida include tree plantations or growth of tropical ornamental species such as palms; and lumber, pulp, and paper species such as slash pine, longleaf pine, cypress, and eucalyptus.
This community also include management practices of agroforestry, the intentional mixing of trees and shrubs into crop and/or animal production systems to create environmental, economic and social benefits. This is included in this community and not any other state because the primary management is for tree species. This may include practices such as riparian forest buffers, windbreaks, forest farming, silvopasture, and alley cropping.
Resilience management. Management of silvicultural lands require specific prescriptions based on the management goals for the stand, and may include thinning, harvesting, planting, pruning, prescribed burning and site preparation. For more information regarding specific management for silviculture practices please contact your local NRCS office.
Pathway 5.1A Community 5.1 to 5.2
This pathway is driven by land use conversion practices that prepare for modified land use. In some circumstances, conversion might include the removal of existing vegetation and habitat.
Pathway 5.2A Community 5.2 to 5.1
This pathway is driven by the restoration of the native habitat for the use of rangeland. This includes restoration of both the hydrology and landscape in advance of re-establishing native species. This is a time-consuming process and often results in slightly altered community structure and composition more susceptible to invasive or undesirable plant establishment. Once restored to a natural capacity the introduction of grazing species to the system creates a managed rangeland.
Pathway 5.2B Community 5.2 to 5.3
This pathway is driven by preparing the land for pasture. This includes the planting of vegetation consisting of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture that will provide preferred forage for managed grazing species.
Pathway 5.2C Community 5.2 to 5.4
This pathway is driven by the preparation of land for agricultural uses. This change is dependent on the type of agricultural community being created, but often depends on the growing, maintenance, and cultivation of an agricultural product for consumers. This community may require modification to the land to fit the hydrologic requirement of the growing crop.
Pathway 5.2D Community 5.2 to 5.5
This pathway is driven by the preparation of the land for silvicultural purposes. This change is dependent on the type of silvicultural product being cultivated, as many different practices require different growth requirements.
Pathway 5.3A Community 5.3 to 5.2
This pathway is driven by land use conversion practices that prepare for modified land use. In some circumstances, conversion might include the removal of existing vegetation and habitat.
Pathway 5.4A Community 5.4 to 5.2
This pathway is driven by land use conversion practices that prepare for modified land use. In some circumstances, conversion might include the removal of existing vegetation and habitat.
Pathway 5.5A Community 5.5 to 5.2
This pathway is driven by land use conversion practices that prepare for modified land use. In some circumstances, conversion might include the removal of existing vegetation and habitat.
State 6 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., Immokalee sand-Urban land complex, 0 to 2 percent 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 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).
Community 6.1 Reclaimed Areas
Reclaimed areas are areas that have been modified through anthropogenic means that are restored to a 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 6.2 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 6.3 Non-Reclaimed Lands
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.
Community 6.4 Landfills
This is an anthropogenic site for the disposal of waste material. It includes manufactured layers (artificial, root limiting layer below the soil surface) that are representative of human altered and human transported sites. These layers are often alternative between natural fill material and geotextile liners, asphalt, concrete, rubber or plastic that are built up and can rise above the surrounding landscape by 30 meters or more often impeding water, gas, or roots from moving through the profile.
Pathway 6.1A Community 6.1 to 6.2
This shift in communities is driven by clearing and developing the land for the desired community.
Pathway 6.1B Community 6.1 to 6.4
This transition is driven by the deposition of manufactured layers along with anthropogenic waste which is consistently built upon.
Pathway 6.2A Community 6.2 to 6.1
This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydrology, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.
Pathway 6.2B Community 6.2 to 6.3
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 6.2C Community 6.2 to 6.4
This transition is driven by the deposition of manufactured layers along with anthropogenic waste which is consistently built upon.
Pathway 6.3A Community 6.3 to 6.1
This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydrology, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.
Transition T1A State 1 to 2
This transition is driven by an increase in long-term hydrology from natural or anthropogenic means. A viable seedbank must be introduced naturally (aerial dispersal) or anthropogenically (transplanting / seeding) for the growth and success of this transition.
Transition T1B State 1 to 3
This transition is driven by a decrease in hydrology from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T1C State 1 to 4
The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as hydrology or changes in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.
Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire or hydrology which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T1D State 1 to 5
Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products
Transition T1E State 1 to 6
This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R2A State 2 to 1
This restoration is driven by a decrease in hydrology from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T2A State 2 to 4
The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as hydrology or changes in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.
Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire or hydrology which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T2B State 2 to 6
This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R3A State 3 to 1
This transition is driven by an increase in hydrology from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T3A State 3 to 4
The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as hydrology or changes in fire regimes. Typically once a change in one of the two factors mentioned above occurs, non-native or exotic invasive species become established and begin to compete with native species for habitat and nutrients.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery from non-native or exotic invasive species may be difficult due to many adaptations which allow them to outcompete and survive in intolerable conditions. Localized knowledge for each species must be known for best management of it it without harming the natural habitat, and often different treatments must be applied over one given area.
Context dependence. Growth of non-native and exotic invasive species can be rapid following a change in a natural stressor such as fire or hydrology which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T3B State 3 to 5
Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products
Transition T3C State 3 to 6
This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R4A State 4 to 1
Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the unwanted species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for community species composition is needed for specific management. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.
Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of unwanted species is a time dependent process, with removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Restoration pathway R4B State 4 to 2
Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the unwanted species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for community species composition is needed for specific management. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.
Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of unwanted species is a time dependent process, with removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Restoration pathway R4C State 4 to 3
Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the unwanted species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for community species composition is needed for specific management. Mechanical removal might include roller chopping, harvesting, or cutting and removal of invasive species. Chemical removal might include aerial dispersal from planes, or basal bark injection treatments.
Context dependence. Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal of unwanted species is a time dependent process, with removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Transition T4A State 4 to 5
Modify the land for the desired land use. This may include the establishment of grazing species or the modification of land for the cultivation of crops of other desired products
Transition T4B State 4 to 6
This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R5A State 5 to 1
These practices include the restoration of both the hydrology and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Restoration pathway R5B State 5 to 3
These practices include the restoration of both the hydrology and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Restoration pathway R5C State 5 to 4
These practices include the restoration of both the hydrology and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Transition T5A State 5 to 6
This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway T6A State 6 to 5
This transition is driven by the restoration of a reclaimed land towards a naturally managed resource such as agriculture, rangeland, silviculture, or improved pasture.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 5.3 plant community composition
Wet Hardwood Forests are important to many animal species, some use it as passageways in route to their preferred habitat, while some use it as critical shelter and food sources for part or all of their life cycle. Common species that may be present in this community include:
Reptiles / Amphabians: Southern black racer (Coluber constrictor priapus), rat snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis ), Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri ), green anole ( Anolis carolinensis), ground skink (Scincella lateralis ), green treefrog (Hyla cinerea ), and narrow-mouth toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis ).
Birds: red shouldered hawk ( Buteo lineatus), barred owl ( Strix varia), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus ), pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus ), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus ), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos ), fish crow (Corvus ossifragus ), blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata ), Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus ), tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor ), Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis ), and northern cardinal ( Cardinalis cardnalis).
Mammals: Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus ), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana ), Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus ), Marsh rabbit ( S. palustris), Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi), Feral hog (Sus scrofa), White-tailed deer (Odocoi1eus virginianus), and Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis).
Hydrological functions
Since the 1950s, agriculture and urban development have increased in Florida, both requiring extensive drainage of the developed landscape and the withdrawal of large quantities of water for irrigated and domestic water supplies from the surficial aquifer underlaying the region. In areas of relief, systems of ditches drain areas directly into major wetlands, while areas with little relief use pumps to remove water from fields and lower groundwater to depths of 45 to 60cm below ground to provide sufficient aeration for the roots of vegetable and tree crops (Clem & Duever, 2019). This results in a lower wet season water table, restricting the range and growth of hydrophytic species, as well as creating drier conditions for fires to burn into the hammocks, making species succession possible from more intense fires. The hydroperiod may also be substantially increased via impoundment or runoff from urban development closer to the hammocks. An extended hydroperiod can limit tree growth and prevent reproduction by inhibiting seed germination or drowning seedlings. This is especially true when inundation occurs during the growing season.
Water in this community typically begins to collect at the beginning of the wet season (June to September) and may flood anytime in the season. Towards the end of the wet season water begins to slowly flow out of the hammock and can be dry for the remainder of the year. The main driver for flooding is due to the amount of rainfall during the wet season, the amount of water directly and indirectly entering the system is greater than the systems ability to percolate through the limestone.
Recreational uses
These communities are often used for outdoor recreational uses such as camping, hunting, hiking, etc. Most of these recreational uses take place during the dry season when there is no standing water within this community.
Wood products
Many forests have been selectively logged for mature oak and other canopy dominant trees, which varies in intensity and scale depending on the size of the hammocks. In the early to mid-1800s logging of oaks from hammocks were highly sought out for shipbuilding, and currently are managed for timber resources in some management areas.
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.
Other references
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
Gann, G.D., Bradley, K.A. and Woodmansee, S.W. 2009. Floristic Inventory of South Florida Database. Institute for Regional Conservation.
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.
Scott, T. M. 2001. Text to accompany the geologic map of Florida. Florida Geologic Survey, Tallahassee, Florida.
Simons, R.W., S.W. Vince, and S.R. Humphrey. 1989. Hydric hammocks: a guide to management. 85 (7.26 Supplement). United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
Vince, S. W., Humphrey, S. R., & Simons, R. W. 1989. The ecology of hydric hammocks: A community profile (Vol. 85, No. 7). US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Research and Development.
Contributors
Jack Ferrara Craig Prink Martin Figueroa Jamie Bean
Approval
Charles Stemmans, 2/07/2025
Acknowledgments
St. Johns River Water Management District
Florida State Parks
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
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
02/07/2025
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:
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.
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