National Forests in Florida Final Report
Download 3.16 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Apalachicola Wet Prairie, Pleea Type
Apalachicola Wet PrairieElement Identifiers NVCS association: Aristida beyrichiana - Nyssa ursina - Rhynchospora corniculata Herbaceous Vegetation Database Code: CEGL008595 Formation: Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland Alliance: RHYNCHOSPORA OLIGANTHA - SARRACENIA SPP. - (ARISTIDA BEYRICHIANA, CTENIUM AROMATICUM) - OSMUNDA CINNAMOMEA / SPHAGNUM SPP. SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (V.A.5.N.m.17) Element Concept Summary: This type represents very wet prairies or open savannas on the Apalachicola National Forest in northern Florida. These are possibly the wettest phase currently described. Although essentially an herbaceous community, this type has an emergent shrub layer of Nyssa ursina and clumps of other shrubs such as Ilex glabra, Ilex myrtifolia, Morella caroliniensis (= Myrica heterophylla), Cliftonia monophylla, and may have a spindly layer of stunted Pinus elliottii present. These sites are heavily dominated by Aristida beyrichiana but also support Ctenium aromaticum and Aristida palustris. Rhynchospora corniculata is especially diagnostic of this type and is either rare or absent from other wet prairies of the region which are apparently somewhat drier. Lycopodiella alopecuroides and Rhexia lutea may also be indicative. The emergent shrub layer may develop due to soil wetness which does not allow fire to penetrate the wettest portions of these savannas. Environment: No specific data are available on the sites where this type has been described, which includes Bradwell Bay. It is presumed that this type occurs on poorly drained Ultisols or Aquults. A seasonally high water table is perched near the soil surface during periods of heavy rainfall due to the presence of an argillic horizon which is slowly permeable to downward percolating water. A combination of high clay content and standing water contributes to sparse overstories. Vegetation: These sites are heavily dominated by Aristida beyrichiana but also support Ctenium aromaticum and Aristida palustris. Rhynchospora corniculata is especially diagnostic of this type and is either rare or absent from other wet prairies of the region which are apparently somewhat drier. (NatureServe unpubl. data). Other species may include Balduina uniflora, Bigelowia nudata, Cliftonia monophylla, Drosera capillaris, Drosera tracyi, Erigeron vernus, Eriocaulon compressum, Eriocaulon decangulare, Lycopodiella alopecuroides, Pleea tenuifolia, Rhexia alifanus, Rhexia lutea, and Scleria reticularis. Dynamics: See Summary Similar Associations: Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora spp. - Pleea tenuifolia - Sarracenia (psittacina, flava) Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004153)--is not as wet. Synonymy: Wet Prairie, Wiregrass Prairie Subtype (FNAI 1992b) Comments: Nyssa ursina is treated under Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora by Wunderlin (1998). This taxon has a distinctive shrubby growth form that persists when grown outside savanna habitats (Anglin pers. comm.) Conservation Ranking & Rare Species GRank: G2 (02-05-21): High-ranked species: No information Element Distribution Range: This saturated herbaceous association may be endemic, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest of Florida. States: FL Crosswalk to State Classifications: FL: Wet Prairie, in part (FL 1992) TNC Ecoregions: 53:C USFS Ecoregions: 232Dc:CCC Federal Lands: USFS (Apalachicola) Element Sources References: Anglin pers. comm., FNAI 1992a, FNAI 1992b, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data, Wunderlin 1998 Herbaceous Seepage Bogs Apalachicola Wet Prairie, Pleea TypeElement Identifiers NVCS association: Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora spp. - Pleea tenuifolia - Sarracenia (psittacina, flava) Herbaceous Vegetation Database Code: CEGL004153 Formation: Saturated temperate or subpolar grassland Alliance: RHYNCHOSPORA OLIGANTHA - SARRACENIA SPP. - (ARISTIDA BEYRICHIANA, CTENIUM AROMATICUM) - OSMUNDA CINNAMOMEA / SPHAGNUM SPP. SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (V.A.5.N.m.17) Element Concept Summary: This type represents one of two described phases of wet prairie or open savanna which are endemic, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest. This type has been referred to as the "Pleea phase" and is presumably wetter and found on sandier soils. While both types are dominated by Aristida beyrichiana, this type may be distinguished by the a greater relative abundance of Pleea tenuifolia, Sarracenia psittacina, and Sarracenia flava. Verbesina chapmanii is lacking from this type. A rich herbaceous layer is present, among which Ctenium aromaticum is an abundant grass. An emergent layer of Hypericum spp. may be present depending upon time since fire. Environment: This community occurs on lower slopes between pine flatwoods and cypress stringers or Hypericum chapmanii - Nyssa ursina pond/stringers (A. Schotz pers. comm.). Vegetation: This association is dominated by Aristida beyrichiana and supports a diverse mixture of wetland graminoids and forbs. Diagnostic species include Sarracenia spp., especially Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia psittacina, and Pleea tenuifolia (NatureServe unpubl. data). Other species may include Aristida palustris, Eurybia chapmanii (= Aster chapmanii), Balduina uniflora, Chaptalia tomentosa, Carphephorus pseudoliatris, Coreopsis linifolia, Ctenium aromaticum, Drosera tracyi (= Drosera filiformis var. tracyi), Eriocaulon compressum, Eriocaulon decangulare var. latifolium, Fuirena breviseta, Hypericum brachyphyllum, Hypericum fasciculatum, Lobelia paludosa, Lophiola aurea (= Lophiola americana), Pinguicula planifolia, Rhynchospora latifolia, Rhynchospora macra, Rhexia lutea, Scleria baldwinii, and other species. Dynamics: See Summary Similar Associations: Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora spp. - Verbesina chapmanii Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004152)--is drier and clayier. Synonymy: Wet Prairie, Pitcher Plant Prairie subtype (FNAI 1992b) B. in part Savannah, Pleea Phase (Clewell 1971) Apalachicola Wet Prairie, Rush-featherling Type. [common name] Comments: This type was originally based on the work of Clewell (1971) who suggested two savanna types on the Apalachicola National Forest, with this phase being found primarily on sandy surface soils. For unknown reasons, in a later work Clewell (1981) did not recognize this distinction and referred only to "grass-sedge savannahs." This concept was later modified to include ecotonal seepage areas with related floristic composition; however, these are now accommodated elsewhere. Conservation Ranking & Rare Species GRank: G2 (98-05-01): This saturated herbaceous flatwoods association is found in a restricted range and specific set of habitat conditions. It has a very narrow distribution, occurring only in the Florida Panhandle; it is restricted, or nearly so, to the Apalachicola National Forest. Its current extent (less than 10,000 acres) is thought to be relatively stable. This community occurs only on lower slopes between pine flatwoods and cypress stringers or Hypericum chapmanii - Nyssa ursina pond/stringers, and occurrences are of small size. This vegetation is highly dependent on fire, and succession to woody plant dominance takes place when fire is removed. This uncommon community is threatened by alteration of the hydrology (ditching and draining), domestic animal grazing, and alteration of fire regimes through fire exclusion and suppression. These factors, along with land conversion to commercial forest plantations or agriculture, have decreased the occurrence of this type. Prescribed burning, which mimics historic fire seasonality and periodicity, and the maintenance of watershed integrity to ensure seepage conditions are important for management of this community. Fire is also necessary to stimulate growth, flowering and seed production of many species found here. Use of herbicides in adjacent forestry or agricultural applications could damage components of this community. Some occurrences (particularly those on private land) which have not been destroyed are severely degraded and/or lack proper management. High-ranked species: PINGUICULA PLANIFOLIA (G3?), PARNASSIA CAROLINIANA (G3) Element Distribution Range: States: FL Crosswalk to State Classifications: FL: Wet Prairie, in part (FL 1992) TNC Ecoregions: 53:C USFS Ecoregions: 232Dc:CCC Federal Lands: USFS (Apalachicola) Element Sources References: Clewell 1971, FNAI 1992a, FNAI 1992b, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data, Schotz pers. comm. Herbaceous Seepage Bogs Directory: library library -> Strategic Plan South Sudan Country Office Context library -> The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh Selected Letters library -> Ieee/iee electronic Library (iel) library -> [0] B. Hardware [2] library -> [1] B. Hardware [1] library -> Florida public service commission library -> 1 1 before the florida public service commission 2 docket no. 070650-ei 3 In the Matter of: 4 petition to determine need for turkey point nuclear units 6 and 7 electrical 5 power plant, by florida power & light company library -> Archived Online Exhibit Download 3.16 Mb. Share with your friends:
|