Types of Ecosystems in Central Florida

Pinelands

• Common throughout Central Florida, pinelands are plant communities made up primarily of longleaf and slash pines. Pine trees are typically the dominant plant variety in this ecosystem because of their ability to survive periods of wild fires. Various other plants, including hardwoods and palmetto bushes, also can be found in pineland communities. Pinelands support Central Florida's most common animals, including squirrels, rabbits, deer, possums, raccoons and many varieties of birds.

Scrubs

• Scrubs are very similar to pinelands and are found in areas with sandy soils, particularly to the south and east of Orlando. Like pinelands, scrubs consist primarily of pine trees, but scrubs also have thick underbrush, usually dominated by dense patches of palmetto bushes. Scrubs support a range of animals that have adapted to the drier, sandy conditions; these animals include the threatened gopher tortoise, rabbits, snakes and lizards.

Freshwater Marshes

• While South Florida's Everglades is the state's most famous example of a freshwater marsh, Central Florida also has a number of freshwater marshes, many of which surround the St. John's river basin. These marshes are dominated by tall, thin grasses and have few to no trees or shrubs. The marshes may be covered by water during the rainy summer months and provide a crucial habitat for aquatic animals such as fish, frogs, alligators and numerous wading birds, including egrets and herons.

Swamps

• Central Florida is dotted with swamps, dense hardwood forests that grow in areas of standing water. While water-loving cypress trees are most commonly associated with swamps, other tree varieties including sweet gum and oak, also can thrive in swampy habitats. Swamps are home to a number of water-dwellers, such as alligators, turtles, frogs and wading birds. Swamps that connect to lakes or rivers often hold large numbers of fish, including larger species like bass and gar.

Coastal Dunes

• While much of Central Florida's Atlantic coast has been developed by humans, these coastal areas still feature many pristine examples of sand dune ecosystems, especially near the Kennedy Space Center. These dunes consist of mounds of sand that rise from the beach and are covered by tall grasses. Sand dunes play an important role in stabilizing land and preventing beach erosion. They also are home to many species that live on the beach, including shorebirds, rabbits and snakes, and they provide a nesting habitat for sea turtles.