• Soils: Sandy, acidic, very well drained, nutrient-deficient soils occur.  Both sugar sand white and buffy yellow soils can support sand pine scrub communities (Stout and Marion, 1993).   Typical soil types include Archbold, Daytona, Duette, Hobe, Paola, Pomello, Resota, St. Lucie, Satellite, and Welaka (Soil Conservation Society of America, 1987).

FUEL MODEL:

Fuel Models 4 and 7 are best fit for modeling the fire behavior of this stage.  Model 4 is used for modeling intensity variables.  Model 7 is used for modeling rate of spread (Anderson, 1982).

TYPICAL FIRE BEHAVIOR:

[ Using FBPS: FM 4/7, FFM 8, LFM 100, MFW 5 - 10] (Refer to page 32)

DESIRED STAGE:

Sand pine scrub - Stage 1 (Sapling) or Stage 3 (Mature).  This desired stage decision is site specific dependent upon the EEL Programs' prioritization for Scrub-jay habitat optimization or forest aesthetics.  Stage 1 has an open to non-existent overstory.  Most pines are in sapling stage.  The midstory consists of a dense layer of oaks including myrtle oak, sand live oak, and Chapman's oak, and other shrubs including saw palmetto, Florida rosemary, and rusty staggerbush. Ground layer vegetation is sparse with many bare sandy patches and few grasses.  Fuel Model 6. 

RESTORATION/MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL

Restoration Phase:

• No restoration required.

Maintenance/Management Phase:

• If Florida scrub-jays are present in sand pine scrub, high intensity prescribed burns should be conducted to keep the scrub at a Stage 1 level.  However, if urban areas are in close proximity to sand pine scrub, prescribed fire use may need to be limited.  Mechanical restoration may be needed in place of prescribed fire (The Nature Conservancy, 1995).

Special Management Concerns:

• Stand replacing fires produce extreme fire behavior.
• Florida scrub-jays may be present.
• Urban areas surrounding sand pine scrub may limit use of prescribed fire.

EEL SITES WHERE SAND PINE SCRUB - STAGE 3 OCCURS

• Turkey Creek
• Malabar Scrub Sanctuary
• Jordan Scrub Sanctuary