BULLETIN FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM


lamation are major developments in determining land use. Results to be
expected in the northern part of the district are nearly ubiquitous recla-
mation with unknown impacts, followed by either conversion of the land
to productive non-mining uses by the companies or release of large tracts
for sale. In the southern part of the district, the entire cycle of mining-
related land use will occur, from destruction of existing uses, through
temporary types, to subsequent reclamation for unknown purposes.
 Now that the decision to reclaim mined land has been made, the re-
sults of reclamation practices need to be evaluated. The quality of re-
claimed land is reflected by biological responses to site treatments. Plant
growth and wildlife use are meaningful criteria of quality because they
show the ability of the land to support natural communities, agriculture,
or silviculture, and they are major components of the aesthetic character
of the land. The purpose of this study was to document plant succession
and wildlife use on the abandoned and reclaimed sites in the central
Florida phosphate district.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 This work was conducted under contract for the Office of Environmental Services of
the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and was funded by the State Uni-
versity System Board of Regents as STAR Grant 78-1122. It was conducted under the
guidance of H. Eugene Wallace of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
The project was suggested and sponsored by Brad J. Hartman and Douglas Bailey of the
Commission's Office of Environmental Services. Other office staff-Terry Gilbert and Tim
King-provided helpful discussions throughout the project. Additional perspective was
contributed by staff of other agencies, including J. William Yon and Gregory L. Daughter
of the Department of Natural Resources and Jorge C. Southworth of the Department of
Community Affairs. Field sampling would have been impossible without the able assist-
ance of Lindsey J. Hord. We are grateful to Robert S. Hearon, Jay N. Allen, Jr., and other
personnel of International Minerals and Chemical Corporation for their valuable help in
selecting field sites, arranging living quarters, and solving logistic problems. Similarly, we
thank John Tallent of ESTECH General Chemical Corporation, Joseph Tessatori of W. R.
Grace, Inc., and Edward Holloway of Sanlan Ranch for enabling us to sample sites on
their property. John M. Schollenberger of the University of Florida Center for Instruction
and Research Computing advised us on the statistical analysis. Don E. Marietta and Nancy
R. Halliday prepared the figures, and typing was done by Rhoda J. Bryant, Gladys M.
Jackson, Angela K. O'Brien, and Dawn D. Zalenka. Pamela R. Johnson and A. Darlene
Novak provided essential administrative help, as did E. Frazier Bingham and John Scott
Dailey of the Board of Regents office. Individuals providing helpful criticisms of report
drafts included members of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and
International Minerals and Chemical Corporation staffs mentioned above, plus Robert
Goodrich and Lee Cawley of the IMC reclamation office, as well as Ronnie Haynes, James
N. Layne, Wayne R. Marion, and I. Jack Stout.
 METHODS

 Research Design
 This research was designed to evaluate the terrestrial habitats that have been created
 after mining in central Florida. Included were both reclaimed sites and those that were


VOL. 30 NO. 3