In the delta of the lower Apalachicola, the river fans out in
a floodplain up to 6 miles wide. The majority of the forest on
this broad, flat floodplain, which is saturated or submerged much
of the year, is gum-cypress. Dominant plants are bald cypress,
water tupelo, ogeechee gum, black gum, ash, and red maple. Shrubs
and understory vegetation are sparse. Many species of wildlife
forage on the ground for the fallen fruit of gum trees during
early fall when the water is low. The floodplain is also good
habitat for crayfish, snails, and other smaller organisms that
support larger animals such as otter, mink, raccoon, and opossum.
Return
to Natural Communities
