Abstract
Estimates of species density, percentage vegetative cover, biomass, and sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) height were made in Tall Sawgrass, Medium Sawgrass, and Wet Prairie communities in the SE portion of Water Conservation Area 3A (3A), the SW portion of Water Conservation Area 3B (3B), the NW portion of Northeast Shark Slough (NSS), and the NE portion of Everglades National Park (ENP) during dry season and wet season sampling periods in 1986 and 1987. We summarized the history of water management and hydroperiod manipulation in the study area. Wet Prairie had the deepest water of the three plant communities studied, while 3A had deepest water and longest hydroperiod of the four areas. Generally, the greatest species density occurred in NSS, where water was shallowest. Individual sawgrass plants and their basal tussocks were taller in 3A than in the other three areas, which may make plants in 3A more susceptible to damage by airboats and fire. Cover and biomass of sawgrass fluctuated more between sampling periods than among management areas, which rendered lower measurements in Tall Sawgrass in 3B non-significant. Species composition of Wet Prairies, particularly in 3A whereRhynchospora spp. were absent, andNymphaea odorata was dominant, resembled aquatic sloughs. The low species density in the study area may be related to rapid fluctuations in water levels that could drown slow-growing plants, and to infrequent dry periods that preclude seed germination. Species richness was low, compared with other Everglades plant community studies. No annual emergent plants were encountered.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Conway, V.M. 1936. Studies in the autecology ofCladium mariscus R.Br.: I. Structure and development. The New Phytologist 35:177–204.
Costanza, R. 1975. The spatial distribution of land use subsystems, incoming energy and energy use in South Florida from 1900 to 1973. M.A. Thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Craighead, F.C. and V.C. Gilbert. 1962. The effects of Hurricane Donna on the vegetation of southern Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences 25: 1–28.
Duever, M.J. 1982. Hydrology—plant community relationships in the Okefenokee Swamp. Florida Scientist 45: 171–176.
Joyner, S.P., ed. 1985. SAS/STAT guide for personal computers, Version 6 edition. SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA.
Leach, S.D., H. Klein, and E.R. Hampton. 1972. Hydrologic effects of water control and management of southeastern Florida. Florida Bureau of Geology, U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL, USA. Report of Investigations No. 60.
Loveless, C.M. 1959. A study of the vegetation of the Florida Everglades. Ecology 40:1–9.
Lynch, J.J. 1942. The sawgrass (Cladium) marsh type and its management. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mimeographed Report.
MacVicar, T.K. 1987. The rainfall plan: a new approach to water management for the southern Everglades. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL, USA
McPherson, B.F. 1973. Vegetation in relation to water depth in Conservation Area 3, Florida. U.S. Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL, USA. Open File Report 73025.
Olmsted, I. and L.L. Loope. 1984. Plant communities of Everglades National Park. p. 167–184. In P.J. Gleason (ed.) Environments of South Florida: present and past, II. Miami Geological Society, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
Schortemeyer, J.L. 1980. An evaluation of water management practices for optimum wildlife benefits in Conservation Area 3A. Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA.
Sikkema, D.A., R.A. Johnson, and K. Portier. 1987. An analysis of hydrologic conditions pertaining to the Shark River Slough, Everglades National Park, October 1970–May 1985. National Park Service, South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL, USA. Report SFRC-draft.
Steward, K.K. and W.H. Omes. 1975. The autecology of sawgrass in the Florida Everglades. Ecology 56: 162–171.
Taylor, D.L. 1981. Fire history and fire records for Everglades National Park: 1948–1979. National Park Service, South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL, USA. Report T-619.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1985. General plan for implementation of an improved water delivery system to Everglades National Park, Florida. District Office, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
U.S. Geological Survey. 1975-1981. Water resources data for Florida: volume 2A. Florida Geological Survey, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 1982. National list of scientific plant names: volume 1: list of plant names. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC, USA. SCS-TP-159.
Wade, D., J. Ewel, and R. Hofstetter. 1980. Fire in South Florida ecosystems. U.S. Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, Asheville, NC, USA. General Technical Report SE-17.
Wagner, J.I. and P.C. Rosendahl. 1982. Structure S-12 water distribution to Everglades National Park. National Park Service, South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL, USA. Report T-650.
Wagner, J.I. and P.C. Rosendahl. 1987. History and development of water delivery schedules for Everglades National Park through 1982. National Park Service, South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL, USA. Report SFRC-87/-
Worth, D. 1983. Preliminary environmental responses to marsh dewatering and reduction in water regulation schedule in Water Conservation Area-2A. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL, USA. Technical Publication 83-6.
Zaffke, M. 1983. Plant communities of Water Conservation Area 3A; base-line documentation prior to the operation of S-339 and S-340. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL, USA. Technical Memorandum.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wood, J.M., Tanner, G.W. Graminoid community composition and structure within four everglades management areas. Wetlands 10, 127–149 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160829
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160829