How many ecosystems are there in Florida?
Florida has more than eighty distinct ecosystems, which are home to many different plant and animal species.
What are Florida's ecosystem classification systems?
Florida's ecosystems, or communities of plants and animals, are described by various classification systems that differ depending on scale and purpose. Learn about the most commonly used ecosystem classification systems for Florida.
Why is Florida important to the ecosystem?
Examine the varied and unique ecosystems of Florida and uncover the natural treasures that make this land an important habitat for plants and animals. Florida's conservation lands not only protect the state's biodiversity but also provide its residents with vital ecosystem services.
Is there a dominant species of trees in Florida?
Many species of trees prefer these types of ecosystems so there isn't a dominant species. Many Florida State Parks are located in these types of ecosystems. Bottomland hardwoods Bottomland hardwoods are very low, wet areas that are located in close proximity to lakes, rivers, and sinkholes, making them prone to flooding.
Which ecosystems are found in Florida?
As a peninsula, Florida is surrounded on three sides by two main bodies of water, the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its water centrality and extremely low ratio of land sea levels, Florida is composed of marshland, swampland, lakes, springs and rivers.
What are the three types of ecosystems in Florida?
Three Ecosystems and Habitats You Can Find in FloridaOne of the most interesting things about the state of Florida is the plentiful and diverse wildlife that call this area their home. This is because of the many different ecosystems and habitats made possible by the climate of the state. ... Coral Reefs. ... Mangroves. ... Swamps.
How many ecosystems are there?
The Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, Volume 1 identifies eight major ecosystems: temperate forest, tropical rain forests, deserts, grasslands, the taiga, the tundra, the chaparral and the ocean.
What is the ecosystem like in Florida?
In Florida, upland ecosystems include Pine Flatwoods, Dry Prairies, Scrub and High Pine, Temperate Hardwood Forests and the South Florida Rockland. Cold zone numbers increase to the south and decrease to the north in the northern hemisphere.
What is the most common ecosystem in Florida?
B. Current condition of Florida ecosystemsUplands. Prior to European settlement, pine flatwoods constituted the most extensive terrestrial ecosystem in Florida, accounting for over one-third of the land area. ... Freshwater wetlands. ... Salt water wetlands.
How many ecosystems are in the Everglades?
nine distinct habitatsWhile nine distinct habitats have been identified, the landscape remains dynamic. Ecosystems remain in a constant state of flux, subject to the effects of abiotic and biotic factors, like fire, invasive species, water, storms, and climate change.
What are the 6 ecosystems?
Six Major Ecosystems of the World (With Diagram)Fresh Water Ecosystem: Fresh water habitats can be divided into two categories: ... Marine (Ocean) Ecosystem: ... Grassland Ecosystem: ... Forest Ecosystem: ... Desert Ecosystem: ... Cropland Ecosystem:
What are the 4 types of ecosystems?
Types of EcosystemForest Ecosystem.Grassland Ecosystem.Tundra Ecosystem.Desert Ecosystem.
What are the 7 main types of ecosystems?
The major types of ecosystems are forest, desert, rain forest, grassland, tundra, savanna and mountain ecosystem. The atmosphere in the rain forest regions is very adorable.
What are the 7 Ecosystems in Florida?
EcosystemsCoasts & Oceans. Florida has 1,800 miles of coastline and comes in second only to Alaska with more than 8,460 miles of tidal shoreline. ... Forests & Uplands. Nearly half of Florida's land area is covered by forests. ... Watersheds.Wetlands & Rivers. ... Wildland-Urban Interface. ... Conservation & Restoration.
How many habitats are there in Florida?
This chapter provides an overview of habitat identification and classification methods and short summaries of 45 major terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats in the state of Florida.
What type of ecosystem is South Florida?
The remaining natural component of the south Florida ecosystem includes freshwater and terrestrial systems such as ponds and sloughs, sawgrass marshes, wet prairies, hammock forests, bay heads, cypress forests, pine forests, mixed swamp forests, and dry prairies; and coastal systems such as bays, coral reefs, mangroves ...
What type of ecosystem is Central Florida?
Sometimes called the "liquid heart" of Florida, this 500,000-plus acres of what remains largely backcountry lies between Tampa and Orlando. It includes complex and delicate systems of cypress swamps and marshes, pine flatwoods and hardwood forests and is home to 30 threatened or endangered species.
What habitats are in Florida?
The state of Florida includes an incredible variety of habitats, including the tropical coral reefs of the Florida Keys, the unique Everglades, temperate hardwood forests, majestic rivers that meander for hundreds of miles, awe-inspiring springs, and nearly 8,000 lakes.
How many habitats are there in Florida?
This chapter provides an overview of habitat identification and classification methods and short summaries of 45 major terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats in the state of Florida.
Is Florida a rainforest?
Subtropical forests/rainforests predominate, and become significant, in the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, giving way to a variety of different Tropical rainforest and forest types found in southern Florida, far south Texas, and on the island of Hawaii.
How many miles of coastline does Florida have?
Coasts & Oceans. Florida has 1,800 miles of coastline and comes in second only to Alaska with more than 8,460 miles of tidal shoreline. For information about Florida's inland waterways, see Wetlands & Rivers. To learn about watersheds, best management practices, and water conservation, see Water Resources. Forests & Uplands.
How much of Florida is covered by forests?
Nearly half of Florida's land area is covered by forests. 25,000 square miles of forests provide habitats for many species and tourism opportunities for residents and visitors to the state. Forests are also essential to Florida's environmental health. For information about Florida's forest products industry, forest management, and timber, ...
Why are some species of Florida endangered?
Species. Endangered & Threatened Species. Many of Florida's plant and animal species are in danger of becoming extinct. Species disappear for many reasons, including habitat loss, human exploitation, and the impact of invasives.
How long ago did the sinkholes in Florida sink?
The limestone formations exposed in the walls of Falling Waters sink formed between 20 and 30 million years ago .
How tall is the waterfall in Florida?
Falling Waters State Park is the only place in Florida where visitors can see a 70-foot-tall waterfall. When there is enough rainfall, surface water flows down a small stream channel and over the rim of a large, circular depression and cascades 70 feet before disappearing into a cave.
What is Windley Key?
The Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park provides a beautiful exposure of a geological unit known as the Key Largo Limestone. Fossil corals and other ancient marine life are preserved in these rocks and record a unique part of Florida’s geologic history. Visitors to the park can stand inside a fossil reef - the same rocks that comprise the aquifer of the upper Florida Keys.
Why is Devil's Millhopper unique?
Although sinkholes are common in Florida, Devil’s Millhopper is unique because it is one of the few places in Florida where more than 100 feet of rock layers (geologic strata) are exposed. The park is a beautiful example of how ecosystems (flora and fauna) develop in response to geological features.
Where is Wakulla Springs State Park?
Wakulla Springs State Park, located in a region known as the Woodville Karst Plain, contains numerous springs and sinkholes. The extensive cave system beneath Wakulla Spring extends more than 32 miles and serves as a network of conduits that supply the more than 250 million gallons of water per day that discharges from the spring.
Iconic Ecosystems
Rivers of grass. Sugary sand beaches. Crystal clear springs. Explore wild Florida's emblematic ecosystems.
Disappearing Landscapes
Many of Florida's unique natural systems are at risk. Learn about the remaining tracts of Florida's natural heritage.
Endemic Ecosystems
Like nowhere else on Earth. Florida offers numerous unique biomes of biodiversity.
What are some examples of invasive plants?
One example of a plant species that has spread abnormally is the Old World climbing fern ( Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br.). This invasive vine can grow up to 90 feet and more, and can survive through the winter without losing much of its greenness. This vine has been known to cover whole sections, rows, and at times all of the trees in forests and line them in huge veils of sweeping green foliage. These vines pose serious fire hazards in dry areas or during dry seasons. The vine is native to the following countries: 1 Africa 2 Australia 3 Southeast Asia
What is DEP in Florida?
The DEP is responsible for state-owned recreational land. This includes the entire state park system and most of Florida's beaches. There are also separate entities dealing with the trails and greenways ( Florida Ecological Greenways Network) initiative, Green Lodging, and the Clean Marina program, to name just a few.
What is the Florida Department of Environmental Protection?
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the agency responsible for protecting Florida's ecology. Its self-stated mission is to protect "our air, water and land." It is divided into 41 programs that cover three areas of interest: Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation, and Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration.
What is an introduced species?
Introduced species are species that are brought over from non native environments, for example from China to Florida. These species oftentimes find that their new environment is perfect for them and begin to grow and breed at extraordinary rates becoming invasive. "An invasive species is generally defined as a plant, animal or microbe that is found outside of its native range, where it negatively impacts the ecology, economy, or quality of human life. " With nothing to keep them in check, since there is nothing in the new environment to challenge their boundaries, or that feeds on it, the alien species will continue to take over and sometimes push native plants or animals out of their native environments.
What is the term for the removal of trees from an area of forest for use as something else?
With proper care, maintenance, and patience the area can be recovered. Deforestation is the removal of all or some trees from an area of forest for use as something else. Florida is known for having a variety of different ecosystems aside from the wet marshlands called the Everglades.
What are the landscapes of Florida?
The State of Florida's landscape was mostly made up of a largely forested area, prairies, and the large wetland area now referred to as the Everglades. Throughout its landscape small rivers, swamps, and naturally occurring lakes and springs made up the state.
What are the animals that live in Florida?
Florida also has many species of armadillo, opossum, foxes and birds like the American eagle and osprey, but are also being forced from their natural environments and into more urban areas, contributing to high percentages of roadkill. The Wildlife Foundation of Florida acts to gain the collaboration of the public in order to protect and conserve all types of wildlife from land and air to water.
What is FNAI in Florida?
The FNAI Natural Community classification is widely used in Florida. FNAI tracks the locations of high quality examples of natural communities in the state, information that is used by agencies and organizations such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and The Nature Conservancy for conservation planning and prioritization.
What is the USNVC?
The USNVC is a seven-level hierarchical system consisting of Physiognomic Classes at the highest level and floristic Associations at the finest level. Associations are determined by species composition, structure and habitat, and are considered elements of biodiversity.
What is USNVC classification?
The USNVC is an ecological classification developed by NatureServe and its natural heritage member programs in partnership with the Federal Geographic Data Committee Vegetation Subcommittee (FGDC), the Ecological Society of America Vegetation Classification Panel (see Jennings et al. 2003)) and federal partners.
What is the Florida vegetation and land cover classification?
The classification identifies 43 vegetation and land use classes-- 26 natural and semi-natural vegetation types, 16 types of disturbed lands (e.g., agriculture, urban, mining), and 1 water class. The FWC Florida Vegetation and Land Cover provides consistently mapped data for the state of Florida.
What is FNAI community?
A Natural Community is defined as a distinct and recurring assemblage of populations of plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms naturally associated with each other and their physical environment. The FNAI classification recognizes 81 distinct natural community types, which are characterized by landform, ...
What is the Florida ecosystem?
Florida’s ecosystems, or communities of plants and animals, are described by various classification systems that differ depending on scale and purpose. For example, the classification system developed by A.W. Kuchler identifies only 10 vegetation types for the entire state, with most of the upland forests characterized as Southern Mixed Forest.
East Gulf Coastal Plain
The East Gulf Coastal Plain ecoregion encompasses portions of five states (Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana) and over 42 million acres from the southwestern portion of Georgia across the Florida Panhandle and west to the southeastern portion of Louisiana.
Florida Peninsula
Although it is fragmented by three Interstate highways and the prominent, sprawling metropolitan areas of Orlando and Tampa, the Florida Peninsula also features several large managed areas that form a basis for natural resource conservation.
South Atlantic Coastal Plain Ecoregion
The South Atlantic Coastal Plain ecoregion encompasses more than 23 million acres across three states, including the southern portion of South Carolina, southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida.
How many oil fields are there in Florida?
There are two oil-producing areas in Florida. One is in South Florida, with 14 fields, and the other is in the western panhandle, with seven fields. The South Florida fields are located in Lee, Hendry, and Collier county. Florida’s first oil field, the Sunniland field, in Collier County, was discovered in 1943.
What percentage of Florida's energy is renewable?
Florida ranks forty-fifth in total energy consumption per capita, despite the heavy reliance on air conditioners and pool pumps. This includes coal, natural gas, petroleum, and retail electricity sales. It is estimated that approximately 4 percent of energy in the state is generated through renewable resources. Florida's energy production is 6.0% of the nation's total energy output, while total production of pollutants is lower, with figures of 5.6 percent for nitrogen oxide, 5.1 percent for carbon dioxide, and 3.5 percent for sulfur dioxide.
What is the South Florida Water Management District?
The following year, the state of Florida created the agency which eventually became the South Florida Water Management District, responsible for water quality, flood control, water supply and environmental restoration in 16 counties, from Orlando to the Florida Keys.
What was the biggest growth area in Florida?
The Tampa Bay area and South Florida were the biggest-growth areas, although almost all of the coastal areas along the peninsula saw strong growth. By 1945, a prolonged drought in Florida spotlighted the first signs of the consequences of altering the environment.
What was the population of Florida in 1940?
As World War II came to an end, thousands of people moved to Florida, bringing about a sharp population increase. The state's population in 1940 was 1,897,414 ; in 1950, it was 2,771,305, an increase of 46.1 percent.
How many cities were there in Florida in 1900?
The 1900 United States Census identified only four cities in the state of Florida with more than 5,000 inhabitants: Jacksonville, Pensacola, Key West, and Tampa. The total population of the state was recorded as 528,542.
What is the climate of Florida?
The environment of Florida in the United States yields an array of land and marine life in a mild subtropical climate. This environment has drawn millions of people to settle in the once rural state over the last hundred years. Florida's population increases by about 1,000 residents each day. Land development and water use have transformed the state, primarily through drainage and infill of the wetlands that once covered most of the peninsula .
