patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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in the Long Pine Key area of Everglades NP in Miami-Dade County, on Big Pine
Key in Monroe County, and in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier
County (Figure 1). Small pine rockland fragments also persist along the Miami
Rock Ridge from Florida City north to approximately Southwest 32nd Street in
Miami-Dade County.
The pine rocklands of the Miami Rock Ridge have been divided into three
separate regions by Robertson (1955) following soil patterns. He termed the
northern end of the ridge with extensive sandy pockets Northern Biscayne
Pinelands, which extend south to approximately S.W. 216 Street. To the south,
Redland soils predominate and these pinelands are termed Southern
Biscayne Pinelands. These pinelands extend south to Long Pine Key. Long
Pine Key, wholly within Everglades NP, was considered the third region. It
contains very few soil deposits and is of lower elevation.
Description
Pine rockland is a savanna-like forest on limestone outcrops with a single
canopy species, South Florida slash pine, and a diverse understory of shrubs
and herbs. It is a fire-maintained community requiring periodic burns every 3
to 7 years (Snyder et al. 1990). This community is often found in association
with rockland hammock and short hydroperiod freshwater wetland
communities.
Vegetative Structure and Composition
The flora of pine rocklands is influenced by the communitys proximity to the
tropics as well as its peninsular connection to mainland Florida (Robertson
1953, Snyder 1986, Snyder et al. 1990). K. Bradley and R. Hammer
(unpublished data) have recorded 374 native plant taxa in pine rocklands of
Miami-Dade County, outside of Everglades NP. Although species diversity and
richness varies geographically for pine rockland communities, the Richmond
tract in Miami-Dade County contains 260 taxa of native plants (DERM 1994),
the Navy Wells Pineland Preserve contains 172 taxa, and the Tamiami Pineland
Preserve contains 163 taxa.
Page 3-162
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
Page 3-163
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
Figure 1. Distribution of the largest remaining contiguous areas of pine rocklands
(adapted from Snyder et al. 1990.).
Page 3-164
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
A high degree of vascular plant endemism is observed in the pine rockland
community. In a 1977 survey of the 186 species noted in Miami-Dade and
Monroe county pine rocklands, 30 species were only found in pine rockland
communities in Miami-Dade County (exclusive of Everglades NP), and nine of
these were endemic to the pine rockland community (Loope et al. 1979).
Approximately 31 plant taxa which occur in pine rocklands are currently
treated as endemic to South Florida (Table 1); 13 of these taxa occur in
additional plant communities such as marl prairies or rockland hammocks (e.g.
Blodgetts wild-mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), pineland clustervine
(Jacquemontia curtissii), and false-leadplant (Dalea carthagenensis var.
floridana)). Many taxa which were formerly considered to be endemic have
been found in other regions such as peninsular Florida, the Bahamas, or Cuba
[e.g. Blodgetts ironweed (Vernonia blodgettii), Florida gamagrass (Tripsacum
floridanum), Florida white-tops (Rhynchospora floridensis)], or are no longer
considered to be taxonomically distinct (e.g. Polygala boykinii var.
sparsifolia), and pineland-privet (Forestiera segregata var. pinetorum).
Many plant taxa reach their northern or southern limits in the pine rocklands
of South Florida. Taxa with their entire United States distribution in South
Florida which are limited to pine rocklands include Bahama sachsia (Sachsia
polycephala), pineland daisy (Chaptalia albicans), quailberry (Crossopetalum
ilicifolium), and shrub eupatorium (Koanophyllon villosum). A number of
species in pine rocklands are disjunct from sandhill communities in central
Florida. These include Asclepias viridis, Cyperus filiculmis, Desmodium
marilandicum, dollarweed (Rhynchosia reniformis), Grays beakrush
(Rhynchospora grayi), green-eyes (Berlandiera subacaulis), Rhynchosia
michauxii, Tracys bluestem (Andropogon tracyi), and Zornia bracteata. These
taxa are primarily found in deposits of sand in the northern Biscayne pinelands,
although Asclepias viridis can also be found on Big Pine Key.
The overstory of pine rocklands is open and dominated by a canopy of
South Florida slash pine ranging in height from 20 to 24 m (65.6 to 79.2 ft)
(Snyder et al. 1990). In the lower Keys the pine trees are smaller and the
subcanopy includes Thrinax and Coccothrinax. Slash pine densities in pine
rocklands have been reported at 453 to 1,179 pines/ha (185-477 pines/acre) on
Long Pine Key (Snyder 1986), and 90 pines/ha (36 pines/acre) in the Turner
River Area of Big Cypress National Preserve (Gunderson et al. 1982). This
canopy provides a source of pine needles for fine fire fuel. The pine canopy
ignites rarely, typically after long periods of fire suppression. Germination
occurs during October, November, and December, with survival highest when
optimal soil moisture is present the following dry season (McMinn 1970). The
seedlings remain in the grass stage for 2 to 5 years. Growth occurs over a
period of approximately 10 months from February to November (Langdon
1963). There is little to no subcanopy. However, hardwoods that may occur in
the subcanopy include live oak (Quercus virginiana), wild-tamarind (Lysiloma
latisiliquum), and willow-bustic (Sideroxylon salicifolium). These species are
more abundant in areas where natural fire is suppressed (Snyder et al. 1990,
DERM 1995) and in pine rocklands in close proximity to tropical hardwood
hammocks (Loope and Dunevitz 1981).
Page 3-165
PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida
More than 90 taxa of shrubs occur in pine rocklands, comprising a mix of
tropical and temperate taxa. Those pinelands in proximity to hammocks have
more hammock shrub taxa present, such as gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba),
inkwood (Exothea paniculata), and wild-tamarind (Loope et al. 1979).
Dominant taxa in the shrub layer vary depending on location, soils, and
elevation (Snyder et al. 1990, Loope et al. 1979). Fifteen species of shrubs may
be present in pine rocklands throughout South Florida. These include cabbage
palm (Sabal palmetto), coco-plum (Chrysobalanus icaco), myrsine (Rapanea
punctata), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), southern sumac (Rhus copallinum),
strangler fig (Ficus aurea), swamp-bay (Persea palustris), wax-myrtle (Myrica
cerifera), white indigo berry (Randia aculeata), and willow-bustic (Snyder et
al. 1990). Pine rocklands near prairies or transverse glades have less of a shrub
layer, but pineland acacia (Acacia pinetorum) and Solanum verbascifolium may

in the Long Pine Key area of Everglades NP in Miami-Dade County, on Big Pine

Key in Monroe County, and in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier

County (Figure 1). Small pine rockland fragments also persist along the Miami

Rock Ridge from Florida City north to approximately Southwest 32nd Street in

Miami-Dade County.

The pine rocklands of the Miami Rock Ridge have been divided into three

separate regions by Robertson (1955) following soil patterns. He termed the

northern end of the ridge with extensive sandy pockets Northern Biscayne

Pinelands, which extend south to approximately S.W. 216 Street. To the south,

Redland soils predominate and these pinelands are termed Southern

Biscayne Pinelands. These pinelands extend south to Long Pine Key. Long

Pine Key, wholly within Everglades NP, was considered the third region. It

contains very few soil deposits and is of lower elevation.

Description

Pine rockland is a savanna-like forest on limestone outcrops with a single

canopy species, South Florida slash pine, and a diverse understory of shrubs

and herbs. It is a fire-maintained community requiring periodic burns every 3

to 7 years (Snyder et al. 1990). This community is often found in association

with rockland hammock and short hydroperiod freshwater wetland

communities.

Vegetative Structure and Composition

The flora of pine rocklands is influenced by the communitys proximity to the

tropics as well as its peninsular connection to mainland Florida (Robertson

1953, Snyder 1986, Snyder et al. 1990). K. Bradley and R. Hammer

(unpublished data) have recorded 374 native plant taxa in pine rocklands of

Miami-Dade County, outside of Everglades NP. Although species diversity and

richness varies geographically for pine rockland communities, the Richmond

tract in Miami-Dade County contains 260 taxa of native plants (DERM 1994),

the Navy Wells Pineland Preserve contains 172 taxa, and the Tamiami Pineland

Preserve contains 163 taxa.

Page 3-162

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

Page 3-163

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

Figure 1. Distribution of the largest remaining contiguous areas of pine rocklands

(adapted from Snyder et al. 1990.).

Page 3-164

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

A high degree of vascular plant endemism is observed in the pine rockland

community. In a 1977 survey of the 186 species noted in Miami-Dade and

Monroe county pine rocklands, 30 species were only found in pine rockland

communities in Miami-Dade County (exclusive of Everglades NP), and nine of

these were endemic to the pine rockland community (Loope et al. 1979).

Approximately 31 plant taxa which occur in pine rocklands are currently

treated as endemic to South Florida (Table 1); 13 of these taxa occur in

additional plant communities such as marl prairies or rockland hammocks (e.g.

Blodgetts wild-mercury (Argythamnia blodgettii), pineland clustervine

(Jacquemontia curtissii), and false-leadplant (Dalea carthagenensis var.

floridana)). Many taxa which were formerly considered to be endemic have

been found in other regions such as peninsular Florida, the Bahamas, or Cuba

[e.g. Blodgetts ironweed (Vernonia blodgettii), Florida gamagrass (Tripsacum

floridanum), Florida white-tops (Rhynchospora floridensis)], or are no longer

considered to be taxonomically distinct (e.g. Polygala boykinii var.

sparsifolia), and pineland-privet (Forestiera segregata var. pinetorum).

Many plant taxa reach their northern or southern limits in the pine rocklands

of South Florida. Taxa with their entire United States distribution in South

Florida which are limited to pine rocklands include Bahama sachsia (Sachsia

polycephala), pineland daisy (Chaptalia albicans), quailberry (Crossopetalum

ilicifolium), and shrub eupatorium (Koanophyllon villosum). A number of

species in pine rocklands are disjunct from sandhill communities in central

Florida. These include Asclepias viridis, Cyperus filiculmis, Desmodium

marilandicum, dollarweed (Rhynchosia reniformis), Grays beakrush

(Rhynchospora grayi), green-eyes (Berlandiera subacaulis), Rhynchosia

michauxii, Tracys bluestem (Andropogon tracyi), and Zornia bracteata. These

taxa are primarily found in deposits of sand in the northern Biscayne pinelands,

although Asclepias viridis can also be found on Big Pine Key.

The overstory of pine rocklands is open and dominated by a canopy of

South Florida slash pine ranging in height from 20 to 24 m (65.6 to 79.2 ft)

(Snyder et al. 1990). In the lower Keys the pine trees are smaller and the

subcanopy includes Thrinax and Coccothrinax. Slash pine densities in pine

rocklands have been reported at 453 to 1,179 pines/ha (185-477 pines/acre) on

Long Pine Key (Snyder 1986), and 90 pines/ha (36 pines/acre) in the Turner

River Area of Big Cypress National Preserve (Gunderson et al. 1982). This

canopy provides a source of pine needles for fine fire fuel. The pine canopy

ignites rarely, typically after long periods of fire suppression. Germination

occurs during October, November, and December, with survival highest when

optimal soil moisture is present the following dry season (McMinn 1970). The

seedlings remain in the grass stage for 2 to 5 years. Growth occurs over a

period of approximately 10 months from February to November (Langdon

1963). There is little to no subcanopy. However, hardwoods that may occur in

the subcanopy include live oak (Quercus virginiana), wild-tamarind (Lysiloma

latisiliquum), and willow-bustic (Sideroxylon salicifolium). These species are

more abundant in areas where natural fire is suppressed (Snyder et al. 1990,

DERM 1995) and in pine rocklands in close proximity to tropical hardwood

hammocks (Loope and Dunevitz 1981).

Page 3-165

PINE ROCKLANDS Multi-Species Recovery Plan for South Florida

More than 90 taxa of shrubs occur in pine rocklands, comprising a mix of

tropical and temperate taxa. Those pinelands in proximity to hammocks have

more hammock shrub taxa present, such as gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba),

inkwood (Exothea paniculata), and wild-tamarind (Loope et al. 1979).

Dominant taxa in the shrub layer vary depending on location, soils, and

elevation (Snyder et al. 1990, Loope et al. 1979). Fifteen species of shrubs may

be present in pine rocklands throughout South Florida. These include cabbage

palm (Sabal palmetto), coco-plum (Chrysobalanus icaco), myrsine (Rapanea

punctata), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), southern sumac (Rhus copallinum),

strangler fig (Ficus aurea), swamp-bay (Persea palustris), wax-myrtle (Myrica

cerifera), white indigo berry (Randia aculeata), and willow-bustic (Snyder et

al. 1990). Pine rocklands near prairies or transverse glades have less of a shrub

layer, but pineland acacia (Acacia pinetorum) and Solanum verbascifolium may