BULLETIN FLORIDA STATE MUSEUM


addition of sapling wax myrtle and Brazilian pepper and reduction of
blackberry. Small wax myrtle trees became very abundant, and many
pioneer and shade-tolerant species entered the community.
 Trees were the most abundant plants in the >30 year age class with
lakes (Figs. 12-13), though shrubs remained more diverse than trees.
Herbaceous vegetation continued to decline in prominence, with ferns
and panic grass becoming more important components. Changes in shrubs
included a reduced Baccharis contribution, appearance of new shade-
tolerant species, prominence of Brazilian pepper at one site, and contin-
ued diversification of vines. Trees increased strikingly in diversity and
abundance. Wax myrtle and other pioneer species diminished in impor-
tance as exotic Brazilian pepper and camphor tree (Cinnamomum cam-
phora) and native forest species like sweetgum (Liquidambar styraci-
flua), water oak (Quercus nigra), live oak (Q. virginiana), and American
elm (Ulmus americana) dominated the canopy.
 Vegetation on the >30 year age class without lakes (Figs. 14-15) dif-
fered in several respects from that on the sites with lakes, though it was
similar in high tree abundance. Herbaceous associations were similar,


 Figure 12.-Bartow South, >30 years with lakes, Unreclaimed Pits and Spoil Piles.
Most of the trees are water oaks. Grass in the foreground is the edge of a road used
frequently by recreational visitors. With spoil piles partly leveled, this habitat was called
"land and lakes" prior to the uniform reclamation regulations implemented in 1975.


VOL. 30 NO. 3