determined from an in-depth preliminary survey of stand conditions found within the Gulf Coast

Flatwoods zone of Florida and at the restoration site.

 The herbaceous ground cover of wet longleaf pine flats is very diverse due to the warm

temperatures and high rainfall. Broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), wiregrass (Aristida strict

var. beyrichiana), witch grass (Dichanthelium spp.), goldenrod (Solidago odora, meadow

beauty (Rhexia alifan2us), fetterbush (Lyonia lucida, and aster (Aster adnatus) are found on both

subtypes (Brewer, 1998). Pine savannas are distinguished from wet flatwoods by a greater

abundance of beak sedge (Cyperus), nut rush (Scleria cilliata), bloodroot (Iahuinhes~lllr~

caroliniana), pitcher plants (Salrracenia), and orchids (Calopogon) or (Platanthera). Coastal

flatwoods have a greater presence of titi (Cliftonia monophylla), swamp tupelo, gallberry (Ilex

glabra), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), and sweetbay. Where fire is restricted, catbrier (Smilax

pumila) can be a prevalent vine species (LaSalle, 2002).

 All three of the selected sites have a moisture gradient as represented by cypress swamps,

wet pine savannas, and wet pine flatwoods. All three sites have active restoration management

programs where fire has been used for more than 20 years on approximately a three-year-return

interval. All of the sites are primarily managed to enhance habitat for threatened species

associated with longleaf pine ecosystems, and are managed by a state or federal agency.

 The southern site on the spatial gradient is the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management

Area in Hernando County, FL. It is approximately 12, 140 ha, and the soils are dominated by

Basinger Eine sands (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic spodic Psammaquents) and Myakka Eine

sands (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic aeric alaquods) (Hyde et al. 1977; Spencer, 2004).

 The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Wakulla and Jefferson Counties, FL consists

of 25,900 ha and the maj ority of the soils are mapped as the Scranton series (sandy, siliceous,