CHAPTER 4
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VEGETATION AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN WET
 LONGLEAF PINE FLATS ALONG FLORIDA' S GULF COAST

 Introduction

 There have been many efforts on assessing the inter-relationships between community

structure, plant species composition and soil biochemical attributes of forested ecosystems

around the globe (Goebel et al. 2001; Peacock et al. 2001; Wilson et al. 2002; Allen and

Schlesinger, 2003). For example, researchers in northwest Spain found that specific herbaceous

species assemblages were indicators for soil pH, soil organic matter levels, C: N ratios, and high

or low levels of soil nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium (Zas and Alonso,

2002). South American researchers compared mature natural alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides)

forests with mature mixed beech (Nothofagus-Podocarpus) forests in the Chilean Andes and

found that the mixed beech-conifer forests that contained greater tree and plant species

biodiversity, had significantly higher soil nitrogen mineralization rates (Perez et al. 1998). These

and other studies have greatly contributed to our understanding of the soil-vegetation community

relationships for various ecosystems in the U. S. and other parts of the world (Vance and Entry,

2000; Reynolds et al. 2000; Chapman et al. 2003; Korb et al. 2003; Hackl et al. 2005). However,

the reasons why soil nutrient and microbial dynamics influence community structure and

composition of the longleaf pine ecosystem of the southeastern U. S. still remains unexplored.

Longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the U. S. Knowledge about

the interrelationships among soil chemical, microbial and vegetational characteristics of the

longleaf pine ecosystem may aid in restoring it to a healthy, functional ecosystem across its

rang~e.

 The concept of using soil chemical and microbial properties in combination with

vegetation attributes for monitoring restoration proj ects has gained momentum in the recent past.