Vines are frequently associated with heterogeneous light habitats such as gaps,
 forest margins, or canopy irregularities (Collins and Wein 1993), yet vines and trees often
 have a close association because of the vine's reliance on host canopies (Dillenburg and
 others 1993b). This suggests that a difference exists in the vine species present in high
 light environments versus those growing in association with trees in closed canopied
 forests.

 In a study of temperate New Jersey Pine Barren swamps, Ehrenfeld (1983) found
 that a large number of the species invading disturbed areas were vine species. This
 suggests that vine species are active pioneer species following many forms of
 disturbance. Baars and Kelly (1996) found that vines could be particularly aggressive on
 sites when they become naturalized. Vine species also increase in relative abundance on
 disturbed sites (Ehrenfeld 1983).


 Edaphic Conditions Favoring Vine Growth

 Bush and others (1995), Castellanos and others (1992), and Putz and Mooney
 (1989) agree that the rapid turnover time and the comparatively small quantity of stem
 tissue of vines make them a fundamental component in the carbon and nutrient cycling
 and forest soil generation. Bush and others (1995, p 365) found that in areas where vines
 occupy dense areas, "their leaf litter is likely to be important in the accumulation of soil
 organic matter."

 Collins and Wein (1993) also found that soil moisture availability limits vine
 growth and distribution in mesic slope bottomland hardwood and seep forests in the
 southeastern United States. Vine density was highest in areas of intermediate soil
 moisture, and no vine species occurred in areas with exceptionally high soil moisture.
 Also, a clumping of vines and potential understory competitors was observed in areas
 with intermediate soil moisture conditions, suggesting that "the microenvironment, more
 than interspecific interactions, influences vine distribution" (Collins and Wein 1993).


 Common Vines Occurring in Florida

 One herbaceous vine found in forested wetlands in Florida is Mikania scandens
 (L.) Willd. (hemp vine), which often forms a dense blanket covering other plants due to
 its aggressive, climbing growth habit (Moon and others 1993). Mikania scandens is a
 twining vine (Carlquist 1992; Gentry 1992) that typically grows as a trailing vine along
 the ground, rooting at most nodes, and occasionally reaching the canopy (Gough and
 Grace 1997). Typically found along stream banks and in drainage ditches, Mikania
 scandens appears to be flood-resistant. Moon and others (1993) suggested that flooding
 might actually enhance Mikania scandens growth. However, there is no evidence that
Mikania scandens maintains underground structures over winter (Gough and Grace
1997), so profusions may be seasonal.