An Ecological Study of Hardwood Swamps in North‐Central Florida

The hardwood swamps of north—central Florida may be divided into two groups: (1) mixed swamps and (2) bayheads. The former is characterized by deciduous species and the latter by evergreen species. Mixed swamps occupy sites which are usually higher in calcium, magnesium, calcium/magnesium ratios, calcium/potassium ratios, pH, and depth of maximum flooding. Sabal palmetto, Fraxinum caroliniana, Ulmus floridana, and Taxodium distichum are more restricted to the mixed swamp habitat, while Gordonia lasianthus, Persea palustris, and Magnolia virginiana are more confined to bayhead. Quercus nigra, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Nyssa sylvatica occupy both habitats. Though several species link the two communities, the two habitats can be effectively separated by certain edaphic variables.