Print Report
M617 Sabal palmetto - Annona glabra - Pterocarpus officinalis Swamp Forest Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup represents freshwater forested wetlands that occur in relatively geographically restricted locations in southern Florida, Cuba and Puerto Rico, and possibly other Caribbean islands, where they are surrounded by sawgrass marsh and wet prairies. The extensive and flat terrain is a rainfall-driven and nutrient-poor fen peatland. The floristic composition is characterized by the combination of broad-leaved evergreen trees of tropical affinities, temperate broad-leaved deciduous trees, and, in Florida, may include the deciduous needle-leaved Taxodium spp.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cabbage Palmetto - Pond-apple - Terocarpo Swamp Forest Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Caribbean Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup includes tree-dominated, stillwater wetlands, including hydric hammock, and tree swamps that occur amidst low-lying marshes of south Florida, Cuba and Puerto Rico, and possibly other Caribbean islands. They represent either poorly drained depressions, emergent tree islands, slightly higher than the surrounding marshes. Composition and dominance vary depending on the community, but it is characterized by the combination of broad-leaved evergreen trees of tropical affinities, temperate broad-leaved deciduous trees, and the deciduous needle-leaved Taxodium spp. Species common to the different settings where the macrogroup occurs are Annona glabra, Chrysobalanus icaco, Fraxinus caroliniana, Ilex cassine, Magnolia virginiana, Psychotria nervosa, Quercus laurifolia, and Sabal palmetto. Composition of the Florida bayhead swamp is closest to the Cuban palm swamps because of the shared presence of Conocarpus erectus and the palm Acoelorraphe wrightii. Communities within this macrogroup are very gently sloping or depression forested wetlands usually saturated and occasionally inundated, often with peat accumulation on sand/marl/limestone substrate. In the case of Florida''s "hydric hammocks," they are hardwood wetlands occupying flat lowlands with high water tables or ponded surface water, often underlain by limestone substrate and adjacent to coastal marshes. The most important natural controlling factors for vegetation of the macrogroup are climate and hydrology.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This macrogroup includes tree-dominated wetlands in the Caribbean. The physiognomy is a combination of broad-leaved evergreen trees of tropical affinities, including palms, temperate broad-leaved deciduous trees, and, in Florida, the deciduous needle-leaved Taxodium spp. may be present.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Information for this macrogroup is best available from Florida, and further work is needed to characterize it across its range. In Florida, this macrogroup includes wet open woodlands and closed wetland forests of mostly subtropical broad-leaved evergreen trees. The physiognomy is diverse. The open woodlands or savannas dominated by Taxodium ascendens in south Florida are now placed in ~Taxodium ascendens / Annona glabra / Rhynchospora spp. Subtropical Swamp Forest Alliance (A4085)$$, ~Pond-cypress Basin Swamp Group (G036)$$, ~Pond-cypress Basin Swamp Macrogroup (M161)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The physiognomy of these forested wetlands responds to the slightly different physical settings of the component communities. In Florida, bayhead swamps and hydric hammocks are both dominated by broad-leaved trees forming tree islands with a round or tear-drop shape. The canopy of hydric hammocks is dense, about 17-21 m high, and is dominated by one or more oak species, Sabal palmetto, or a combination of these. Palms are common, even dominant, in some stands. The understory is formed by young canopy trees, shrubs and abundant ferns (Vince et al. 1989). These forests are found on the highest sites, on peat, and remain wet 2-6 months per year (Richardson 2000).
Floristics: Trees that may be present include Annona glabra, Chrysobalanus icaco, Conocarpus erectus, Ficus aurea, Fraxinus caroliniana, Juniperus virginiana, Metopium toxiferum, Nyssa sylvatica, Persea borbonia, Persea palustris, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus nigra, Quercus virginiana, Roystonea elata, Sabal palmetto, and Taxodium spp. These are a combination of broad-leaved evergreen trees of tropical affinities, temperate broad-leaved deciduous trees, and the deciduous needle-leaved Taxodium spp. In the broad-leaved evergreen forests, characteristic shrubs include Cornus foemina, Diospyros virginiana, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Myrsine cubana (= Myrsine floridana), Psychotria nervosa, and Salix caroliniana. Herbaceous plants in the broad-leaved evergreen forests include Acrostichum aureum, Acrostichum danaeifolium, Bacopa caroliniana, Crinum americanum, Nephrolepis exaltata, and Sagittaria graminea.
Dynamics: Information on the role of fire is best described for Florida''s swamps. There, fire is not considered an important disturbance of the hydric hammock. However, the hammocks do burn occasionally. Sabal palmetto are fire-tolerant and intense fires favor this species. Quercus virginiana can survive low-intensity fires, but Acer rubrum is highly susceptible to fire. Flooding duration and frequency are primary factors in species composition. While most hydric hammock trees are at least somewhat adapted to flooding, the ranges of tolerance vary according to timing and depth of inundation (FNAI 1990). Increased salinity is a factor often limiting certain species. Although adult cypress trees are tolerant of extended inundation, their seeds cannot germinate under water and cypress seedlings may not survive if submerged (Vernon 1947, Kurz and Wagner 1953, cited in FNAI 2010a). The broad-leaved evergreen forests are generally not prone to fire except in extreme drought conditions (due to weather or hydrological alteration). The peat substrate can also burn under these forests. Severe fires reverse the succession sequence moving the forest communities back to wet prairies due to the elimination of the peat-based raised topography where the forest wetlands thrive (Richardson 2000).
Environmental Description: Climate: The climate is subtropical, with a dry season in the North American winter, and a rainy season in the North American summer. Average annual precipitation is 1325 to 1525 mm and 80% of the precipitation falls from mid-May to October. Average annual temperature ranges between 22-23°C; temperature drops below freezing only occasionally (FNAI 1990).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: The soils are generally peats (which may be deep) or muck, or limestone-influenced wet soils. The pH of soils varies from somewhat acidic to slightly alkaline with little organic matter. In areas underlain by limestone, depression swamps are often formed when poor surface drainage causes water to move downward and dissolve the limestone bedrock. These depressions then fill in with peat or marl (Duever et al. 1984). In the case of Florida''s hydric hammocks, soil moisture is kept high mainly by rainfall accumulation on poorly drained soils and flooding lasts only for short periods after heavy rains (FNAI 1990). In general, rainfall, surface water, seepage, and ground water provide an abundance of water, and especially in the lowest lying natural wetlands, shallow water covers the surface during much of the rainy season.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: The soils are generally peats (which may be deep) or muck, or limestone-influenced wet soils. The pH of soils varies from somewhat acidic to slightly alkaline with little organic matter. In areas underlain by limestone, depression swamps are often formed when poor surface drainage causes water to move downward and dissolve the limestone bedrock. These depressions then fill in with peat or marl (Duever et al. 1984). In the case of Florida''s hydric hammocks, soil moisture is kept high mainly by rainfall accumulation on poorly drained soils and flooding lasts only for short periods after heavy rains (FNAI 1990). In general, rainfall, surface water, seepage, and ground water provide an abundance of water, and especially in the lowest lying natural wetlands, shallow water covers the surface during much of the rainy season.
Geographic Range: This macrogroup occurs in Florida along the Gulf of Mexico from Aripeka to St. Marks, just landward of salt marsh. Smaller stands are scattered in the northern and central regions of peninsular Florida and in the south Florida Everglades and Big Cypress regions. Other known locations are in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.
Nations: BS,CU,MQ,PR,TT,US
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.884750
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.4 Tropical Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F029 | 1.A.4 |
| Division | 1.A.4.Ed Caribbean-Central American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D093 | 1.A.4.Ed |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.4.Ed.2 Cabbage Palmetto - Pond-apple - Terocarpo Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M617 | 1.A.4.Ed.2 |
| Group | 1.A.4.Ed.2.a Pond-apple / Coco-plum Swamp Forest Group | G002 | 1.A.4.Ed.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Inland Swamps, Cypress and Bay Tree Forests (Davis 1943)
- Alexander, T. R. 1967. A tropical hammock on the Miami (Florida) limestone--A twenty-five-year study. Ecology 48:863-867.
- Areces-Mallea, A. E., A. S. Weakley, X. Li, R. G. Sayre, J. D. Parrish, C. V. Tipton, and T. Boucher. 1999. A guide to Caribbean vegetation types: Preliminary classification system and descriptions. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. 166 pp.
- Davis, J. H., Jr. 1943. The natural features of southern Florida, especially the vegetation, and the Everglades. Florida Department of Conservation, Geologic Survey. Geologic Bulletin No. 25. Tallahassee, FL.
- Drew, R. D., and N. S. Schomer. 1984. An ecological characterization of the Caloosahatchee River/Big Cypress watershed. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-82/58.2. 225 pp.
- Duever, M. J., J. F. Meeder, and L. C. Duever. 1984. Ecosystems of the Big Cypress Swamp. Pages 294-303 in: K. C. Ewel and H. T. Odum, editors. Cypress swamps. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.
- Ewel, K. C. 1990b. Swamps. Pages 281-323 in: R. L. Myers and J. J. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
- Ewel, K. C., and W. J. Mitsch. 1978. The effects of fire on species composition in cypress dome ecosystems. Florida Scientist 41:25-31.
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 1990. Guide to the natural communities of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory and Florida Department of Natural Resources, Tallahassee. 111 pp.
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Flohrschutz, E. W. 1978. Dwarf cypress in the Big Cypress Swamp of southwestern Florida. Master''s thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville. 161 pp.
- Frost, C. C. 1995. Presettlement fire regimes in southeastern marshes, peatlands, and swamps. Pages 39-60 in: S. I. Cerulean and R. T. Engstrom, editors. Fire in wetlands: A management perspective. Proceedings of the Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference 19. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL.
- Gunderson, L. H., and L. L. Loope. 1982b. A survey and inventory of the plant communities of the Pinecrest area, Big Cypress National Preserve. USDI National Park Service, Southern Florida Research Center. Report No. T-655. Homestead, FL. 43 pp.
- Gunderson, L. H., and W. F. Loftus. 1993. The Everglades. Pages 199-255 in: W. H. Martin, S. G. Boyce, and A. C. Echternacht, editors. Biodiversity of the southeastern United States: Lowland terrestrial communities. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 502 pp.
- Hilsenbeck, C. E., R. H. Hofstetter, and T. R. Alexander. 1979. Preliminary synopsis of major plant communities in the East Everglades area: Vegetation map supplement. Unpublished document. Metropolitan Dade County Planning Department, Miami, FL.
- Lodge, T. E. 1994. The Everglades handbook: Understanding the ecosystem. St. Lucie Press, Delray Beach, FL. 228 pp.
- Loveless, C. M. 1959. A study of the vegetation in the Florida Everglades. Ecology 40(1):1-9.
- Monk, C. D., and T. W. Brown. 1965. Ecological considerations of cypress heads in north central Florida. The American Midland Naturalist 74:126-140.
- Richardson, C. J. 2000. Freshwater wetlands. Pages 448-499 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Vince, S. W., S. R. Humphrey, and R. W. Simons. 1989. The ecology of hydric hammocks: A community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Biological Report 85(7.26). Washington, DC. 81 pp.