HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND VINES Chalky bluestem, Andorpogon capillipes;
 Creeping bluestem, Schizachyrium stoloniferum; Lopsided
 indiangrass, Sorhastrum secundum; Fall panicum, Panicum
 dichotomiflorium; Low panicum, Panicum spp.; Pineland threeawn,
 Aristida stricta

 Information about plants that occur in specific ecological communities is
 in Appendix B.

3. Animals

 The South Florida Flatwoods is host to a diverse and numerous wildlife
 population. Many larger animals are found in areas where the flatwoods
 join other communities. These ecotones provide nesting sites, den sites,
 food and cover.

 Typical animals of the flatwoods are:

 MAMMALS Armadillo, eastern cottontail rabbit, cotton rat, deer,
 skunks, raccoon, opossum

 BIRDS Bachman's sparrow, Bobwhite quail, brown-headed nuthatch,
 meadowlark, pileated woodpecker, pine warblers, red-bellied
 woodpecker, rufous-sided towhee, yellow-throated warblers

 REPTILES Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, yellow
 ratsnake

 AMPHIBIANS Oak toad, chorus frog, pinewoods tree frog

 Introduced feral hogs are common in much of the community. Information
 about animals known to occur in specific ecological communities is in
 Appendix C.

LAND USE INTERPRETATIONS

1. Environmental Value as a Natural System

 Fire and water are the major stress conditions of this community. Fire
 controls hardwoods and promote the natural regeneration of pine. Removal
 of fire will cause a successional move to a hardwood community.

 Flatwood communities are good cellulose producers and the original areas
 of predominantly longleaf pine have been logged. Areas in the northern
 part of the community are extensively used for timber production,
 Intensive management for pulp production can cause major changes in the
 vegetation. Without proper consideration this results in a low diversity
 of plants and an adverse change in some wildlife populations.

 Native forage production is good with proper management. Use for
 rangeland has only a light effect on the community if properly managed.
 Chopping and similar range practices result in more grasses and fewer
 shrubs. With sufficient cover left, the resulting increase in diversity
 usually leads to an increase in types and amount of wildlife.