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Conservation Service
Ecological site F156AY360FL
Subtropical Moist Hammocks of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
Last updated: 4/14/2025
Accessed: 08/19/2026
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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 Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip ecoregion.
The Miami Ridge/Atlantic Coastal Strip Ecoregion, sea level to 20 m (0 to 66 ft) in elevation, is a heavily urbanized region, with coastal ridges on the east and flatter terrain to the west that grades into the Everglades. The western side originally had wet and dry prairie marshes on marl and rockland and sawgrass marshes, but much of it is now covered by cropland, pasture, and suburbs. To the south, the Miami Ridge extends from near Hollywood south to Homestead and west into Long Pine Key of Everglades National Park. It is a gently rolling rock ridge of oolitic limestone that once supported more extensive southern slash pine forests and islands of tropical hardwood hammocks. The northern part of the region is a plain of pine flatwoods and wet prairie, and coastal sand ridges with scrub vegetation and sand pine. There are very few natural lakes in the region, but three types of ponded surface waters occur: 1) Pits dug deep into underlying "rock" containing water that is clear, high pH and alkaline, with moderate nutrients; 2) Shallow, surficial dug drains that are darker water; and 3) flow-through lakes (e.g., Lake Osborne) that are colored and nutrient rich.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; 76C Miami Ridge/ Atlantic Coastal Strip (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 Hammocks (Florida Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society, 1989)Ecological site concept
The Subtropical Moist Hammock of Miami Ridge/ Atlantic Coastal Strip ecological communities are characterized by low, flat, very poorly drained oak and palm dominated forests that flood during the wet season. Hydroperiods are typically short and is contributed from overland flow, rainfall, and seepage, which usually control growth of understory herbaceous species. Fire may be present but rare. Historically in the Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip community, moist hammocks occur between lower wetter communities such as freshwater marshes and cypress swamps, and higher, drier communities such as pine flatwoods and mesic hammocks. Currently, due to high demand of urbanization, this ecological site has been highly destroyed and fragmented, with remaining areas no longer retaining their natural hydroperiods.
Associated sites
R156AY320FL Subtropical Freshwater Non-Forested Wetlands of Miami Ridge/ Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Subtropical Freshwater Non-Forested Wetlands of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip is found in slightly lower landscape positions which pond and flood for longer periods of time, supporting more hydrophytic emergent vegetation.
F156AY330FL Subtropical Freshwater Cypress Swamps of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Subtropical Freshwater Cypress Swamps of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip is found in slightly lower landscape positions which pond and flood for longer periods of time, supporting more hydrophytic woody vegetation.
F156AY340FL Subtropical Pine Flatwoods and Palmetto Prairie of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Subtropical Pine Flatwoods and Palmetto Prairie of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip is found in slightly higher landscape positions consisting of an open canopy of pines. The sheet flow from summer rains attribute to the flooding conditions of this community.
Similar sites
F156AY350FL Subtropical Forested Rocklands of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Forested Rocklands of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip occurs in slightly higher landscape positions. It may be confused due to the closed canopy of oak species. They differ by the shallow soils of rockland hammocks compared to the deeper sandy soils of moist hammocks.
F156AY380FL Subtropical Hardwood Hammocks of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Subtropical Hardwood Hammocks of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip occurs in slightly higher landscape positions. It may be confused due to the closed canopy of oak species. They differ by the deeper well drained soils of hardwood hammocks compared to the deeper poorly drained sandy soils of moist hammocks. Due to differences in drainage classes the hardwood hammocks will support more mesic and xeric species composition with less chance for ponding or flooding.
F156AY340FL Subtropical Pine Flatwoods and Palmetto Prairie of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip
The Subtropical Pine Flatwoods and Palmetto Prairie of Miami Ridge / Atlantic Coastal Strip may be confused with the successional stage of pine flatwoods, consisting of hardwood oaks with a hydrophytic understory. Soils are typically more shallow with the presence of limestone at or near the surface rather than a deep sandy soil with a subsurface horizon.
F156AY030FL Subtropical Moist Hammocks of Big Cypress
The Subtropical Moist Hammocks of Big Cypress occurs in a separate ecoregion which have lower amounts of urbanization and slightly lower amounts of rainfall and lower elevation. Resource concerns are reflected differently and require different management needs.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus
(2) Sabal palmettoShrub (1) Morella cerifera
(2) Callicarpa americanaHerbaceous (1) Tillandsia
(2) CarexPhysiographic features
These ecological sites are dominated by linear convex hammocks which are slightly above the lower communities that occur along ecotones between higher, relatively drier communities and lower, relatively wetter communities. These poorly drained communities may flood briefly in the wet season (June- Nov) after heavy rains. While flooding occurs during one period of the year, the soils remain moist throughout the year. This site occurs mostly on very gentle ranging slopes (0-2%).
The Miami Ridge/ Atlantic Coastal Strip falls under the Pleistocene series Miami Limestone geologic formation, also known as Miami Oolite. It forms the Atlantic Coastal Ridge and extends beneath the Everglades where it is commonly covered by thin organic and freshwater sediments, as well as extending down into the Florida Keys. To the north the Miami Limestone formation grades laterally northward into the Anastasia Formation. The Miami Limestone consists of two facies, an oolitic facies and a bryozoan facies. The oolitic facies consists of white to orangish gray, poorly to moderately indurated, sandy, oolitic limestone (grainstone) with scattered concentrations of fossils. The bryozoan facies consist of white to orangish gray, poorly to well indurated, sandy, fossiliferous limestone grainstone and packstone). Beds of quartz sand are also present as unindicated sediments and indurated limey sandstones. Fossils present include mollusks, bryozoans, and corals. Molds and casts of fossils are common. The highly porous and permeable Miami Limestone forms much of the Biscayne Aquifer of the surficial aquifer system.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Geomorphic position, flats (1) Rise
(2) Talf
Geomorphic position, terraces (1) Tread
Slope shape across (1) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
(2) Convex
Landforms (1) Coastal plain
(2) Marine terrace > Knoll
Runoff class High to very high Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency None to frequent Ponding frequency None Elevation 0 – 66 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Ponding depth 0 – 15 in Water table depth 0 – 18 in 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) 370 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 370 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 60-60 in Frost-free period (actual range) 370 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 370 days Precipitation total (actual range) 50-70 in Frost-free period (average) 370 days Freeze-free period (average) 370 days Precipitation total (average) 60 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) ROYAL PALM RS [USC00087760], Homestead, FL
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(2) PERRINE 4W [USC00087020], Miami, FL
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(3) MIAMI WSO CITY [USW00012859], Miami, FL
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(4) CAPE FLORIDA [USC00081306], Key Biscayne, FL
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(5) MIAMI NWSFO [USC00085667], Miami, FL
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(6) MIAMI INTL AP [USW00012839], Miami, FL
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(7) HIALEAH [USC00083909], Miami, FL
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(8) MIAMI BEACH [USW00092811], Miami Beach, FL
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(9) MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP [USW00012882], Opa Locka, FL
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(10) NORTH MIAMI BEACH #2 [USC00086315], Miami, FL
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(11) HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP [USW00092809], Hollywood, FL
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(12) WESTON [USC00089511], Fort Lauderdale, FL
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(13) LOXAHATCHEE NWR [USC00085184], Boynton Beach, FL
">Influencing water features
In the Miami Ridge/ Atlantic Coastal Strip eco region the main source of water to moist hammocks includes rainfall, overland flow and seepage from adjacent uplands, and discharge from deep aquifers. Contributions of these inputs vary among individual hammocks and with the season. Depth of flooding, frequency, and duration of flooding vary from individual hammocks based on the surrounding vegetative communities. Subsurface layers of clay or loam, or a shallow depth to limestone bedrock all play a factor in the high-water table, and slightly vary. Dense vegetation and flat topography of moist hammocks helps slow the movement of water throughout the hammock and slowly drains as sheet flow out to lower communities.
Wetland description
Classification: Cowardin<br />
System: Palustrine<br />
Subsystem: NA<br />
Class: Forested Wetland
Figure 7. Conceptual hydrologic system model of South Florida. Image modified from Swain et al. 2019.
Figure 8. Historical development of South Florida canal systems from 1900 to 1920. Image modified from Duever et al. 1979.
Figure 9. Historical development of South Florida canal systems from 1900 to 1920. Image modified from Duever et al. 1979.
Figure 10. Historical development of South Florida canal systems from 1960 to 1970. Image modified from Duever et al. 1979.
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.
These are poorly and very poorly drained soils that are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding briefly during the wet season. Moist hammocks soils generally are sand, low to moderate in organic matter content, and slightly alkaline to mildly acidic. Limestone bedrock lies close to the surface of many hammocks; with calcium being provided to the hammock by flooding or seeping water or by shells and limestone fragments in the soil.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Marine deposits
(2) Residuum – limestone
Surface texture (1) Mucky fine sand
Drainage class Very poorly drained to poorly drained Permeability class Moderately rapid to rapid Depth to restrictive layer 0 – 16 in Soil depth 12 – 16 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-80in)0.9 – 1.3 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-80in)0 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(0-80in)0 – 1 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-80in)1 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-80in)5.6 – 7.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-80in)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-80in)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 or included. Key indicator plants, animals, and ecological processes are described to help guide land management decisions and actions.
Moist hammocks 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 moist hammocks is similar to that of mesic and rockland hammocks and other swamp communities, moist hammocks are unique in their assemblage of these species. Moist hammocks 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 moist hammocks share similar characteristics. Moist hammocks 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 overflow. Rainfall, either acting directly or indirectly as runoff or overflow, raises the water table above the surface of moist hammocks causing brief flooding. During the wet season water is typically slow moving, 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 hydroperiods 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 hydroperiods due to prolonged flooding may shift the community towards a cypress dominated swamp.
Moist hammocks are also influenced by the surrounding vegetative communities. Moist hammocks surrounded by other swamps and wetlands are prone to support more hydrophytic vegetation such as cypress in the overstory. Compared to hammocks surrounded by upland communities may have some drier tolerant species such as pine present in the overstory. 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 in moist hammocks 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
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
States 1, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
States 2, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
T1A - Increase in Long-Term Hydroperiod T1B - Decrease in Long-Term Hydroperiod T1C - Invasion of Non-Native / Exotic Species T1D - Modify for Desired Land Use T1E - Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials R2A - Decrease in Long-Term Hydroperiod T2A - Invasion of Non-Native/ Exotic Species T2B - Modify for Desired Land Use T2C - Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials R3A - Increase in Long-Term Hydroperiod T3A - Invasion of Non-Native / Exotic Species T3B - Modify for Desired Land Use T3C - Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials R4A - Mechanical / Biological / Chemical Removal R4B - Mechanical / Biological / Chemical Removal R4C - Mechanical / Biological / Chemical Removal R4D - Mechanical / Biological / Chemical Removal T4A - Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials R5A - Landscape and Habitat Restoration R5B - Landscape and Habitat Restoration R5C - Landscape and Habitat Restoration T5A - Human Alteration / Transportation of Materials State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Oak Killing Fire / Selective Removal of Oaks 1.2A - Oak Regeneration State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
Communities 2 and 5 (additional pathways)
5.1A - Land Clearing Practices 5.2A - Habitat Restoration 5.2B - Pasture Preparation 5.2C - Agricultural Practices 5.2D - Silvicultural Preparation 5.3A - Land Clearing Practices 5.3B - Agricultural Preparation 5.3C - Silvicultural Preparation 5.4A - Land Clearing Practices 5.4B - Silvicultural Practices 5.5A - Land Clearing Practices State 6 submodel, plant communities
6.1A - Urban Development 6.1B - Waste Accumulation 6.2A - Land Reclamation 6.2B - Industrial / Urban Development 6.2C - Waste Accumulation 6.3A - Land Reclamation State 1
Moist HammockMoist hammocks 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.
Characteristics and indicators. Moist hammocks 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.
Dominant resource concerns
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Sheet and rill erosion
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Wind erosion
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Subsidence
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Organic matter depletion
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Seasonal high water table
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Nutrients transported to surface water
Community 1.1
Moist HammockThis reference community is dominated with a closed canopy of oaks and palms, with a variable understory depending on flooding frequency and depth. They are typically low in height with a vast amount of epiphytes growing on tree trunks and limbs, providing 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, supporting species that are more tolerant of saturation, such as a shift from live oak to laurel oak. Fire is not a dependent management factor, moist hammocks are tolerant of light ground surface fires but are often rare.
Dominant plant species
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live oak (Quercus virginiana), tree
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laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), tree
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cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto), tree
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Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa), tree
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southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), tree
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red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
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water oak (Quercus nigra), tree
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wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), shrub
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inkberry (Ilex glabra), shrub
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American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), shrub
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sedge (Carex), grass
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woodoats (Chasmanthium), grass
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smooth elephantsfoot (Elephantopus nudatus), grass
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airplant (Tillandsia), other herbaceous
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toothed midsorus fern (Blechnum serrulatum), other herbaceous
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golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum), other herbaceous
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shoestring fern (Vittaria lineata), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
Palm Dominated Moist HammockAfter intense fires due to drought or drainage, intense fires 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 moist hammock system. This community is characterized as a dominance of cabbage palms in the overstory rather than a codominance with oak species as seen in a moist hammock.
Dominant plant species
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cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto), tree
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laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), tree
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2This transition is driven by fires that may destroy the oak community within a moist hammock, leaving an open canopy forest dominated by cabbage palms. Another possible transition can be through the selective logging of oak species which will allow for the cabbage palms to become dominant in the canopy.
Context dependence.Fire is rare in moist hammocks, but in periods of extreme drought or effects of drainage may leave moist hammocks 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.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1This transition is driven by the regeneration of oak in the understory. Growth into the overstory will shift the community structure from a cabbage palm dominated stand to an oak- palm dominated forest typical of the reference community.
State 2
Altered Hydroperiod: Wet HammockThis state refers to the alteration of the long term hydroperiod within a moist hammock system. While moist hammocks are tolerant and dependent on flooding to maintain community composition, increases in the long term hydroperiod may shift species vegetation towards more hydrophytic compositions. While slight increases in hydroperiods are seen in moist hammocks, reflected in the presence of hydrophytic vegetation such as cypress, large increases in hydroperiods may change the community altogether.
Dominant resource concerns
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Subsidence
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Ponding and flooding
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Seasonal high water table
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Nutrients transported to surface water
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Feed and forage imbalance
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Inadequate livestock shelter
Community 2.1
Oak / Palm dominated Cypress SwampThis community may be present where there has been an increase in the long term hydroperiod within the moist hammock 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.
Dominant plant species
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laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), tree
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cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto), tree
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bald cypress (Taxodium), tree
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swamp bay (Persea palustris), shrub
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Jamaica swamp sawgrass (Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense), grass
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toothed midsorus fern (Blechnum serrulatum), other herbaceous
State 3
Altered Hydroperiod: Dry HammockThis state refers to the alteration of the long term hydroperiod within a moist hammock system. While moist hammocks are tolerant and dependent on flooding to maintain community composition, decreases in the long term hydroperiod may shift species vegetation towards more mesic and xerophytic compositions. While slight decreases in hydroperiods are seen in moist hammocks, reflected in the presence of mesic and xerophytic vegetation such as pines and saw palmetto, large decreases in hydroperiods may change the community altogether.
Dominant resource concerns
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Wind erosion
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Compaction
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Organic matter depletion
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Ponding and flooding
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Seasonal high water table
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
Community 3.1
Mesic HammockThis community is the result of decreases in the long term hydroperiod within a moist hammock. 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 moist hammock and not a reference community of mesic hammock,.
Dominant plant species
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live oak (Quercus virginiana), tree
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Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii var. densa), tree
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cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto), tree
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southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), tree
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saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), shrub
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wax myrtle (Morella cerifera), shrub
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woodoats (Chasmanthium), grass
State 4
Invasion of Non-Native / Exotic SpeciesThis 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/).
This community will not represent every possibility of invasive species but rather the most common in these areas.
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 and chemical removal.
Dominant resource concerns
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Subsidence
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Concentration of salts or other chemicals
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Nutrients transported to surface water
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
State 5
Managed Resource AreasThe 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) but are not completely altered by anthropogenic means.
Dominant resource concerns
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Sheet and rill erosion
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Wind erosion
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Subsidence
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Organic matter depletion
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Concentration of salts or other chemicals
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Seasonal high water table
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Nutrients transported to surface water
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Inadequate livestock shelter
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Inadequate livestock water quantity, quality, and distribution
Community 5.1
RangelandRangelands 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 CommunitiesThis 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
Improved PasturePasture 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. Pasture is the basis of any livestock operation that is truly sustainable. It is especially important as livestock grazers continues to experience extraordinarily high fuel and other input costs.
Resilience management. Pastures receive periodic renovation and cultural treatments such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated. For more information regarding specific pasture management please contact your local NRCS office.
Community 5.4
AgricultureThe 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 export from Florida consists 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 resulting in land clearing 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
SilvicultureSilviculture 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 for 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 5.2This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.
Pathway 5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1This 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 replanting native species. This is a time-consuming process and often results in second-hand community structure. 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 5.3This pathway is driven by preparing the land for pasteurization. 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 5.4This pathway is driven by the preparation of land for agricultural uses. This change is dependent on the type of agricultural community is 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 5.5This 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 5.2This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.
Pathway 5.3B
Community 5.3 to 5.4This pathway is driven by the preparation of land for agricultural uses. This change is dependent on the type of agricultural community is 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 5.3C
Community 5.3 to 5.5This 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 5.4A
Community 5.4 to 5.2This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.
Pathway 5.4B
Community 5.4 to 5.5This 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 5.5A
Community 5.5 to 5.2This pathway is driven by land clearing practices that consists of removing the existing vegetation from the habitat and altering the habitat to prepare for modified land use.
State 6
Human Altered and Human Transported AreasThese 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., Urban land, 0-2% 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
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Compaction
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Ponding and flooding
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Seasonal high water table
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Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
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Objectionable odors
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
Community 6.1
Reclaimed AreasReclaimed 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 6.2
UrbanThis 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 LandsNon-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
LandfillsThis 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 6.2This shift in communities is driven by clearing and developing the land for the desired community.
Pathway 6.1B
Community 6.1 to 6.4This 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 6.1This 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 6.3This 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 6.4This 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 6.1This transition is driven by the revegetation, reestablished hydrology, and replacement of displaced soil materials after altering the land.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2This transition is driven by an increase in the long term hydroperiod from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3This transition is driven by a decrease in the long term hydroperiod from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or 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 frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5Modify 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 6This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1This transition is driven by a decrease in the long term hydroperiod from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or 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 frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 5Modify 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 T2C
State 2 to 6This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1This transition is driven by an increase in the long term hydroperiod from natural or anthropogenic means.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4The invasion of non-native or exotic species can be driven by a multitude of different environmental factors such as changes in natural hydroperiods or 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 frequency or natural hydroperiods which might have once kept the invasive species at bay.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5Modify 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 6This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. 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 non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 2Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. 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 non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Restoration pathway R4C
State 4 to 3Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. 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 non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Restoration pathway R4D
State 4 to 5Mechanical, biological, and chemical removal strategies include removing the non-native and exotic invasive species through various mechanisms. Localized knowledge for individual non-native or exotic invasive species is needed for specific management. Sometimes introduction of fire regimes may prevent or stop the growth of non-native or exotic invasive species, but many species are fire tolerant. 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 non-native and exotic invasive species is a time dependent process, with both removal types taking long times to be considered effective.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 6This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 2These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Restoration pathway R5C
State 5 to 3These practices include the restoration of both the natural hydroperiods and landscape in advance of revegetating the area (if needed).
Transition T5A
State 5 to 6This transition is driven by the alteration and/ or transportation of materials via anthropogenic means.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 5.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 5.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 5.5 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 6.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 6.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 6.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Moist hammocks 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
Water in this community typically begins to collect at the beginning of the wet season (June- Nov) 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. With the fragmentation of these habitats, the construction of roads and sewage systems have altered the hydrologic flow in these areas, leading to increased runoff and more sheet flow due to urbanization.
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 above ground water.
Wood products
Many hammocks 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.
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
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. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.
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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
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.
Steinberg, B. 1980. Vegetation of the Atlantic coastal ridge of Broward County, Florida based on 1940 imagery. Florida Scientist, 7-12.
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.Approval
Matthew Duvall, 4/14/2025
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 Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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