Freshwater Forested Wetlands Strand Swamp Craig Stokes

Description What is a Strand Swamp? A shallow, forested, usually elongated depression or channel situated in a trough within a flat limestone plain, and dominated primarily by bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). a diffuse freshwater stream flowing through a shallow forested depression on a gently sloping plain (Wharton et al., 1976) depression on a gently sloping plain Strand Swamp Variation Smaller strand swamps may instead contain pond cypress (T. ascendens).

Distribution Range Strand swamps are restricted to South Florida Not likely that they occur north of Lake Okeechobee Mainly in Collier County ex. Fakahatchee Strand and Corkscrew Swamp Status S2/G2 G2 = Imperiled globally because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or less than 3000 individuals) or because of vulnerability to extinction due to some natural or man-made factor. S2 = Imperiled in Florida because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or less than 3000 individuals) or because of vulnerability to extinction due to some natural or man-made factor.

Distribution Map shows majority of Collier County Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park Corkscrew Swamp Picayune Strand State Forest

Conditions Soils Peat and sand over limestone. Swamps with larger cypress and more diverse understory are on deep peat that acts as a wick to draw moisture from groundwater during droughts (Duever et al 1986). Hydroperiod Range from days. Water levels are typically greatest in June with increasing rainfall. Lowest levels during winter and early spring. Water is deepest and longest near the center of the strand swamp.

Strand Swamp Cross Section

Strand Swamp Interior

Aerial Photo of Fakahatchee Strand

Identification Strand vs basin/dome swamp Basin/dome swamps occur in closed depressions with little water flow. Basin swamps north of Lake Okeechobee are roughly linear in outline. These usually occupy basins of former lagoons parallel to the coast that formed during periods of high sea level. Strand swamps are found in troughs aligned with bedrock lows in a very gently sloping limestone plain. Dome swamps can grow together which forms an irregular strand. (Duever et al. 1986)

Identification Strand Swamp vs Floodplain Swamp Floodplain swamps occur along streams and rivers, as opposed to strand swamps which have an irregular network of lower sloughs¹. Because of climate differences between each habitat type, Strand swamps have a more tropical understory than most floodplain swamps, which tend to be found further north. Sloughs¹- the deepest drainageways within swamps and marsh systems that are indundated with slow moving or nearly stagnant water.

Identification

Dominant Plant Species Red Maple (Acer rubrum) Pond Apple (Annona glabra)

Dominant Plant Species Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)

Dominant Plant Species Swamp Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia) Cabbage Palm (Sabal plametto)

Dominant Plant Species Strangler Fig (Ficus aurea) Coastalplain Willow (Salix caroliniana)

Dominant Plant Species Sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) Swamp Bay (Persea palustris)

Dominant Widlife Species White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Gray squirrel (Sciurus carloinensis)

Dominant Widlife Species Raccoon (Procyon lotor) River Otter (Lutra canadensis)

Dominant Widlife Species Little Blue Heron (Florida caerulea) Great Egret (Casmerodius albus)

Dominant Widlife Species American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Dominant Widlife Species Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) Barred owl (Strix varia)

Rare Species Plants Birdsnest spleenwort American Bird’s nest fern Narrow-leaved strap fern Tailed strap fern Many-flowered catopsis Cowhorn orchid Fakahatchee guzmania Hand fern Fuzzy-wuzzy air-plant Entire-winged bristle fern Leafy vanilla All restricted to south Florida peninsula Animals Short-tailed hawk Swallow-tailed kite Mangrove fox squirrel (Threatened) Florida panther (Endangered) Florida black bear Southern mink (Threatened) Wood storks (Endangered) Eastern indigo snake (Endangered)

Natural Processes Fire occurs very rarely in the interior of strand swamps. Can occur more frequently on the outskirts of the strand. These fires on the edges of strand swamps can help control hardwoods. If left without fire, strands may convert to hyrdric hammock (Penfound 1952). Muck fires that burn the peat can kill trees and lower the ground transforming them into a slough. In these areas, coastalplain willow will make a thicket.

Management: History Most strands were severely affected by cypress logging in the early 20 th century. Logged strands may be more vulnerable to fires, followed by establishment of coastalplain willow thickets. (Alexander and Crook 1973) Conversion of surrounding lands to pasture, citrus and developments. Roads, levees, canals and trams were constructed for logging and development which impeded water flow to and from strands. Only within the past years, there has been attempts to restore strand swamps.

Management and Restoration Chemical/mechanical: useful for removal of exotic plant species. (java plum, Peruvian willow, climbing fern, brazilian pepper, and melaleuca). Any clearcutting operation should leave a cypress seed source adjacent to the cleared area for regeneration Restore soils: peat in burned or drained strands Hydrological: installation of culverts, filling of canals and destruction of unused roads to restore natural hydrology. Prescribed fire can be used at the edge of strand swamps to keep back hardwood invasion years. Reconnecting appropriate ecological systems Acquire threatened strand swamps Conduct research Increase public awareness

Logging of Fakahatchee Strand