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South Florida Floating Cypress Dome

EVT 7447South Florida Cypress Dome

CES411.365GNRTreeRiparian

Summary

This ecological system is found primarily in the Everglades and Big Cypress regions of Florida. This system consists of small forested wetlands in poorly drained depressions which are underlain by an impervious layer that impedes drainage and traps precipitation. Taxodium ascendens is the dominant tree, with the oldest and largest individuals characteristically occupying the center, and smaller and younger individuals around the margins. Pools of stagnant, highly acidic water may stand in the center of these depressions ranging from 0.3-1.2 m (1-4 feet) in depth, but becoming increasingly shallow along the margins. The understory flora is typified by species with tropical affinities. These ponds are important for many wildlife species.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Vegetation

In addition to Taxodium ascendens, other taxa that may be present include Annona glabra, Chrysobalanus icaco, Ficus aurea, Persea palustris, and Bacopa caroliniana.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Environment

This system occurs in areas of low relief, occupying poorly drained to permanently wet depressions. Pools of stagnant, highly acidic water may stand in the center of these depressions ranging from 0.3-1.2 m (1-4 feet) in depth, but becoming increasingly shallow along the margins.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Dynamics

Cypress domes get their common name from the unique dome-shaped appearance in which trees in the center are higher than those around the sides (Monk and Brown 1965). The water draws down more frequently along the edges than in the deeper center. This allows for more frequent recruitment of Taxodium ascendens seedlings along the edges, which are also exposed to more frequent wildland fire than the center of the ponds which remain flooded for longer durations. These two factors are reflected in the presence of large trees in the center and smaller trees closer to the edges of the ponds.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Threats

Lack of fire and invasive exotic plants such as Melaleuca quinquenervia, Lygodium japonicum and Lygodium microphyllum are threats (FNAI 2010a). Drainage is also a threat.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Distribution

Endemic to south 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

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Annona glabra, Chrysobalanus icaco, Tamala palustris

Herb (field)

Aeschynomene pratensis, Bacopa caroliniana, Dendrophylax lindenii, Ficus aurea, Lythrum flagellare, Prosthechea cochleata var. triandra

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Ecologically Associated Animals (3)

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 (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Northern Cottonmouth	Agkistrodon piscivorus	G5

Amphibians (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Greater Siren	Siren lacertina	G5

Other Invertebrates (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
American Alligator	Alligator mississippiensis	G5

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (3)

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 Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank	ESA Status
Ghost Orchid	Dendrophylax lindenii	G1	Proposed endangered
Lowland Loosestrife	Lythrum flagellare	G3	--
Clamshell Orchid	Prosthechea cochleata var. triandra	G4G5T2	--

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.

Name	G-Rank
Taxodium ascendens / Annona glabra / Bacopa caroliniana Swamp	G2	NatureServe
Taxodium ascendens / Annona glabra - Cephalanthus occidentalis - Morella cerifera - Salix caroliniana Swamp	G2	NatureServe
Taxodium ascendens / Chrysobalanus icaco - Ficus aurea - Persea palustris Swamp	G2	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.

State	S-Rank
FL	SNR

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.