South Florida Dwarf Cypress Savanna

EVT 7445
CES411.290GNRTreeRiparian
Summary
The scrub or dwarf cypress system covers extensive areas of south Florida, especially in the Big Cypress Swamp region of southwest Florida. These stunted stands of Taxodium ascendens grow on shallow sands or marl soils above limestone bedrock. Individual trees are usually quite small and widely scattered, with canopy coverage ranging from 30-45%. The understory shares much overlap with wet prairies of the region and is dominated by the following genera: Rhynchospora, Cyperus, Muhlenbergia, and Cladium. The open, stunted aspect is maintained in part by stresses imposed by extreme seasonal water level changes and low-nutrient soils. This type has a hydroperiod of approximately 6 months.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
Individual trees are usually quite small and widely scattered, with canopy coverage ranging from 30-45% (Flohrschutz 1978). The understory shares much overlap with wet prairies of the region (Drew and Schomer 1984) and is dominated by the following genera: Rhynchospora, Cyperus, Muhlenbergia, and Cladium.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
These stunted stands of Taxodium ascendens grow on shallow sands or marl soils above limestone bedrock.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
The open, stunted aspect is maintained in part by stresses imposed by extreme seasonal water level changes and low-nutrient soils (Anonymous 1978). Ewel (1990b) suggests a hydroperiod of approximately 6 months for this type.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This systems is endemic to south Florida and covers extensive areas, especially in the Big Cypress Swamp region of southwest Florida.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Taxodium ascendens

Herb (field)

Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes, Rhynchospora microcarpa, Schizachyrium rhizomatum, Zephyranthes simpsonii
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (5)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Reptiles (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Northern CottonmouthAgkistrodon piscivorusG5
Green AnoleAnolis carolinensisG5

Amphibians (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Southern Cricket FrogAcris gryllusG5
Green TreefrogDryophytes cinereusG5

Other Invertebrates (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (1)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Rain LilyZephyranthes simpsoniiG2G3--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (3)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Taxodium ascendens / Muhlenbergia filipes - Rhynchospora microcarpa Swamp WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Taxodium ascendens / Paspalum monostachyum - Rhynchospora microcarpa - Cladium mariscus Swamp WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Taxodium ascendens / Rhynchospora microcarpa - Schizachyrium rhizomatum - Muhlenbergia filipes Swamp WoodlandG2 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (1)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
FLSNR
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.