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FNAI COMMUNITY: Scrub
STAGE DESCRIPTION
- Overstory: Open canopy cover of 0-15% consisting of slash, longleaf, and sand pine (Breininger et al., 1999; Myers, 1990). Scrub hickory may be present (Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 1990). Trees stand around 45 feet in height (Myers, 1990).
- Mid Story: Within an area the size of a Scrub-jay territory (about 20 acres of scrub), almost the entire area is composed of shrubs that are shorter than 4 feet in height. Very few shrubs (covering less than an acre) grow taller than 4 feet (Breininger et al., 1999). Shrub layer is mostly dominated by oaks, including myrtle oak, sand live oak, and Chapman's oak. Saw palmetto, Florida rosemary, and rusty lyonia are scattered throughout the oaks (Myers, 1990).
- Ground Cover: Very sparse ground cover with many exposed white sandy patches. Several of these bare patches may be covered with ground lichens. Other vegetation includes gopher apple, beak rush, and milk peas (Myers, 1990).
- Duff/Litter Layer: Oak and pine litter is sparse. Few patches of heavy pine litter may be present. No duff present (Myers, 1990).
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