Wildlife species include:

 MAMMALS Bobcat, deer, mink, panther, raccoon

 BIRDS Roseate spoonbill, wood stork, herons

 REPTILES Alligator, frogs, turtles, snakes

 Information on animals known to occur in specific ecological communities
 is in Appendix C.

LAND USE INTERPRETATIONS

1. Environmental Value as a Natural System

 The scrub cypress community occurs primarily in southwest Florida.
 Developments in and around the community cause changes in water quality
 and quantity which results in wide changes in portions of the plant
 community. The scrub cypress community is highly endangered.

 Scrub cypress swamps provide water storage areas by holding excess water
 and slowly releasing it into the water table. Water quality is enhanced
 by the community, which functions like a waste treatment plant by
 absorbing nutrients from the water.

2. Rangeland

 This community has little or no use as rangeland.

3. Wildlifeland

 Due to the sparseness of vegetative growth, this community is one of the
 least productive of wildlife. Deer will range through these areas, but
 the habitat is poor. The primary value is seasonal to frogs, turtles,
 snakes, and salamanders which can adjust to the short hydroperiod and to
 predators on these animals such as raccoons, mink, and the wading birds.

4, Woodland

 These areas are not generally used for commercial woodland production.
 However, this community does have a moderate potential productivity for
 commercial woodland production on areas with adequate surface drainage,
 There are severe equipment limitations due to the poorly drained soil
 conditions. Slash pine is the species suitable for planting on areas with
 adequate surface drainage. Potential annual growth is 0.7 cords per acre.

5. Urbanland

 This community is subject to periodic flooding and has severe limitations
 for urban development. Elaborate water management systems are required
 for urban uses.

 It is difficult to establish vegetation on steep channel side slopes and
 infertile spoil. Special techniques such as mulching, selected plants and
 and unusual seeding and plant management techniques may be required.