South Florida Marl Prairie

EVT 7484South Florida Wet Marl Prairie
CES411.370GNRHerbRiparian
Summary
This system includes marl prairies of the southern Florida Everglades region and related vegetation of the Florida Keys. This system occurs only on shallower soils with bedrock close to the surface. Composition and variability in this system is heavily influenced by hydrology. Especially unusual are small-patch communities found on elevated areas of oolitic rocks referred to as pinnacle rock or table rock. This system also includes embedded solution holes (depressions formed from limestone collapse).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This system occurs only on shallower soils with bedrock close to the surface (Gunderson and Loftus 1993). Composition and variability in this system are heavily influenced by hydrology, with the predominant community types occurring on marl substrates which are seasonally inundated (2-4 months per year). With diminished hydroperiod, species composition changes (Hilsenbeck et al. 1979). Examples of this ecological system can include elevated areas of oolitic rocks referred to as pinnacle rock (Gunderson and Loftus 1993) or table rock (Hilsenbeck et al. 1979), and also include embedded solution holes (depressions formed from limestone collapse).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
Composition and variability in this system are heavily influenced by hydrology; with shortened hydroperiod, species composition changes (Hilsenbeck et al. 1979). Marl prairie depends on a hydroperiod of two to four months. Longer hydroperiods favor the development of peat and the dominance of Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense; shorter hydroperiods permit the invasion of woody species (FNAI 2010a). Marl prairie normally dries out during the winter and is subject to fires at the end of the dry season, in late spring. These late-spring fires promote flowering of the dominant grasses (FNAI 2010a). Biomass recovers to pre-fire levels after two years. The natural fire frequency may be once every two to six years, or up to ten years for marl prairies with sparse herbaceous vegetation, such as is found on shallow soils (FNAI 2010a).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Threats
Hydrological modifications have produced an increase in sawgrass marsh at the expense of marl prairie; drainage and lack of fire have allowed invasion of exotic plants; and rock plowing for agriculture on the eastern edge of Everglades National Park has permanently changed the physical environment that formerly supported it (Hilsenbeck et al. 1979, FNAI 2010a). The buildup of leaf litter in marl prairie lowers the nesting frequency of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis), an endangered bird which only occurs in a small area. Prescribed fire can reduce the leaf litter and help control some invasive plant species. Invasive plants which threaten the marl prairie include Schinus terebinthifolius, Casuarina equisetifolia, and Melaleuca quinquenervia (Hilsenbeck et al. 1979, FNAI 2010a). Water releases too soon after a fire can kill resprouting grasses. Water releases and prescribed fires need to be coordinated according to the nesting needs of the Cape Sable seaside sparrow where it occurs in the in marl prairie in the southeastern portion of Big Cypress National Preserve and in the vicinity of Taylor Slough in Everglades National Park (FNAI 2010a). Marl prairies are subject to damage from off-road vehicles (FNAI 2010a). The Burmese python has become a severe threat to the diversity of native wildlife in these habitats.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
Southern Florida Everglades region and related vegetation of the Florida Keys. Marl prairies with scattered dwarf cypress cover large areas of Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier and Monroe counties. In the Everglades region, marl prairie forms the border between the Miami Rock Ridge and the lower slough and glades marsh and occurs in the narrow finger glades on Long Pine Key (FNAI 2010a).
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.

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Crossopetalum ilicifolium, Croton linearis, Lantana depressa

Short shrub/sapling

Amorpha herbacea var. crenulata

Herb (field)

Aeschynomene pratensis, Aletris bracteata, Andropogon tenuispatheus, Anemia wrightii, Angadenia berteroi, Aristida purpurascens var. tenuispica, Ayenia euphrasiifolia, Cynanchum blodgettii, Digitaria pauciflora, Dyschoriste angusta, Elytraria caroliniensis var. angustifolia, Eriocaulon ravenelii, Eupatorium mikanioides, Euphorbia conferta, Euphorbia porteriana, Glandularia maritima, Hymenocallis palmeri, Justicia angusta, Linum arenicola, Linum smallii, Ludwigia curtissii, Melanthera parvifolia, Muhlenbergia capillaris var. filipes, Phyla stoechadifolia, Rhynchospora floridensis, Rhynchospora microcarpa, Schizachyrium rhizomatum, Schoenus nigricans, Spermacoce terminalis, Stylosanthes calcicola, Tripsacum floridanum
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (7)

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.

Mammals (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Round-tailed MuskratNeofiber alleniG2

Reptiles (6)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Red-bellied MudsnakeFarancia abacuraG5
Black SwampsnakeLiodytes pygaeaG5
Florida Green WatersnakeNerodia floridanaG5
Dekay's BrownsnakeStoreria dekayiG5
Eastern RibbonsnakeThamnophis sauritaG5
Common GartersnakeThamnophis sirtalisG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (28)

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
Bracted ColicrootAletris bracteataG2--
Crenulate LeadplantAmorpha herbacea var. crenulataG4T1Endangered
Wright's Flowering FernAnemia wrightiiG2?--
Pineland AllamandaAngadenia berteroiG3G4--
Eyebright AyeniaAyenia euphrasiifoliaG3G4--
ChristmasberryCrossopetalum ilicifoliumG3--
Blodgett's Swallow-wortCynanchum blodgettiiG1G2--
Two-spike CrabgrassDigitaria paucifloraG1Threatened
Pineland DyschoristeDyschoriste angustaG2G3--
Narrowleaf Carolina ScalystemElytraria caroliniensis var. angustifoliaG4T2--
Ravenel's PipewortEriocaulon raveneliiG3G4--
Semaphore ThoroughwortEupatorium mikanioidesG3?--
Everglade Key BroomspurgeEuphorbia confertaG3--
Porter's Broom SpurgeEuphorbia porterianaG2--
Coastal Sanddune VervainGlandularia maritimaG3--
Alligator-lilyHymenocallis palmeriG3?--
Pineland Water-willowJusticia angustaG3Q--
Florida LantanaLantana depressaG2--
Sand FlaxLinum arenicolaG1Endangered
Carter's Large-flowered FlaxLinum smalliiG2--
Curtiss' SeedboxLudwigia curtissiiG3G4--
Small-leaf MelantheraMelanthera parvifoliaG2Q--
Round-tailed MuskratNeofiber alleniG2--
Southern FogfruitPhyla stoechadifoliaG3G4--
Florida WhitetopRhynchospora floridensisG3--
Everglade Key BouvardiaSpermacoce terminalisG2G4--
Everglade Key Pencil-flowerStylosanthes calcicolaG3G4--
Florida GamagrassTripsacum floridanumG2--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (5)

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
Croton cascarilla - Morinda royoc / Sporobolus spp. - Panicum spp. Shrub MarshG1 NatureServe
Muhlenbergia filipes - Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus - Saccharum giganteum Ruderal MarshGNA NatureServe
Muhlenbergia filipes - Rhynchospora microcarpa - Centella erecta MarshG2 NatureServe
Schizachyrium rhizomatum - Aristida purpurascens var. tenuispica - Eragrostis spectabilis MarshG1 NatureServe
Schoenus nigricans MarshG2 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.