Hardwood Swamp
|
Diana Donaghy
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Trees, shrubs, and vines vary with elevation and soils. Cabbage
palm is more abundant on higher elevations. Huge stumps are reminders
of impressive bald cypress that once dominated the overstory before
logging. Cypress regeneration has been uneven. Red maple, sweet
gum, winged elm, magnolia, ashes, and red cedar now dominate the
overstory in some portions of the swamp. The understory varies
with elevation as well and is dominated by palmetto, American
beautyberry, grape vines, ferns, swamp dogwood, dahoon holly,
and wax myrtle. The swamp stores and cleanses water entering the
Chassahowitzka estuary. For a diverse range of wildlife, the swamp
means food, shelter, and denning and nesting sites.
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