Tree Tuesday: Flatwoods to Swamp
Often on hikes through the South Florida pine flatwoods, you’ll stumble across other ecosytems. The flatwood environment itself is layered, with high canopies of pines, a lower shrubby layer, and an herbaceous layer — but it’s dotted with cypress domes (a cypress swamp in the shape of a dome), prairies, marshes, and other habitats. Truly a fascinating ecosystem.
Unfortunately, developers continue to find flatwoods attractive for development: the vast expanses of flat land are too tempting, as is the ease in cutting and clearing its enormous swaths. But it’s critical to remember all the life this land supports — as well as the various other habitats that are intricately woven together here.
Pine flatwoods vista
Slash Pine: Ready for my close-up
Heading from the flatwoods into the swamp, along the Florida Trail
Ever-lovely cypress of the swamp
From flatwood, to prairie, to….
And an extra for Tree Tuesday — I can’t get enough of this cartoon….
FeyGirl