GRASSES AND GRASSLIKE PLANTS Maidencane, Panicum hemitomon; Narrowleaf
 sawgrass, Cladium mariscoides

 Other plants that occur in the community are found in Appendix B.

3. Animals

 The most common wildlife species include:

 MAMMALS Deer, mink, raccoon, otter

 BIRDS Anhinga, barred owl, egrets, herons, limpkin, pileated
 woodpecker, purple gallinule, prothonotary warbler, wood duck,
 wood stork

 REPTILES Alligator, frogs, turtles, salamanders, variety of water 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

 Cypress swamps are an extremely Valuable resource. They can be used for
 environmental educational study, scientific research, and recreation.
 They have a high value for use as wildlife habitat. This community has a
 relatively low diversity of plant species due to the fluctuating water
 levels and low nutrient availability. Both drastic changes in the water
 level and a stabilized water level may change the plant community. Often
 this will occur due to the effects of dams, dikes, or drainage channels.
 The cypress swamp is not a prime area for residential development. When
 ditched and drained, these areas may be used for pine production although
 they are not as productive as the surrounding pine lands.

 Fire is a stress factor, primarily on the drier portions, but water is
 important in all areas. Water enters the swamp directly from rainfall or
 runoff. The water level is highest in summer and peak productivity occurs
 in early spring. Stagnant water will result in slow tree growth
 especially if it occurs during the growing season.

 Natural regeneration of cypress requires fluctuation of the water.
 Flooding during the dry season will prevent the cypress trees from
 reproducing. Water must be available to germinate the seeds because it
 provides natural stratification. However, when the seedling starts to
 grow its top must be maintained above water.

 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 value as rangeland.