bay, and red bay. Scattered slash and pond pine and an occasional cypress
 are often noticeable, forming a very open canopy over the shrub bogs. In
 extreme south Florida, small circular bays are common on marl prairies of
 the Everglades that are dominated by sweet bay, red bay, willow, cocoplum,
 Australian pine, and Brazilian pepper.

 Plants characterizing this community (although occurrence may vary
 greatly depending on type and location within the state) are:

 TREES Atlantic white cedar, Chamaecyparis thvoides; Blackgum, Nyssa
 silvatica; Buckwheat trees (Black titi), Cliftonia monophylla;
 Loblolly bay, Gordonia lasianthus; Pond pine, Pinus serotina;
 Redbay, Persea borbonia; Slash pine, Pinus elliotti; Sweetbay,
 Magnolia virginiana

 SHRUBS Black titi (Buckwheat tree), Cliftonia monophvlla; Dog-hobble,
 Leucothoe spp.; Fetterbush, Lyonia lucida; Large gallberry,
 Ilex coricea; Myrtle-leaved holly, Ilex myrtifolia; Summersweet
 clethra, Clethra alnifolia; Titi (Swamp cyrilla), Cyrilla
 racemiflora

 HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND VINES Greenbriars, Smilax spp.; Spaghnum moss,
 Spaghnum spp.

 A list of other plants that occur in the community are in Appendix B.

3. Animals

 Shrub bogs support a variety of wildlife. Most mammals, including bear,
 use shrub bogs for cover. Wading birds, such as egrets and herons often
 nest in the trees. Reptiles such as frogs, salamanders, and snakes are
 common. Information on animals known to occur in specific ecological
 communities is in Appendix C.

LAND USE INTERPRETATIONS

1. Environmental Value as a Natural System

 Shrub bogs are important as fire buffers. Seepage water keeps them almost
 constantly wet and they protect adjoining swamps from fire during dry
 periods. They act as small reservoirs by receiving seepage water and
 metering it out in a small but steady supply. Drainage of the bog or
 immediately upslope will strongly modify or destroy these environments.
 Shrub bogs are aesthetically pleasing.

2. Rangeland

 This community has little or no use as rangeland. It does offer
 protection for cattle during wet, cold weather.

3. Wildlifeland

 This community's primary value to game animals is the escape cover
 furnished to deer, turkey, and quail by the thick growth. This cover is
 also important to the black bear and Florida panther. Shrub bogs provide