Location: Brooker
Creek
Date: 11/04/2016
Weather: Around
80°
On our
visit to Brooker Creek Nature Preserve we traversed ecosystems of Flowing Water
Swamp, High Pine Grasslands, and Pine Flatwoods.
In the swamp
we observed how the water was a brownish-orange color because of the tanins
that had leached into the water from dead plants which makes the water acidic.
Seepage and Basin wetlands are the most common types of wetlands in Florida.
Seepage wetlands are mostly fed by ground water as they are at a lower
elevation while Basin wetlands are mainly composed of rainwater and fluctuate
depending on the weather. Floodplain wetlands are flooded seasonally.
On our way
back through the swampy area I saw a large crane that seemed to be searching
the water for food before our presence distracted it. As the ground gradually
got less wet Saw Palmettos seemed to be the prevalent vegetation in the
understory in the pine flatwood area. These forested wetlands offer habitat,
oxygen, water filtration, flood control, climate moderation, and carbon storage
which helps to reduce pollution from being released into our atmosphere. I was
surprised to learn just how flammable peat is. Reduced rainfall and development
are the major threats to flowing water swamps.
As we
looked over the High Pine Grasslands we observed a vulture flying from tree to
tree, probably searching the ground for prey. Although we didn’t see any, the
Gopher Tortoise is one of the Keystone species in pine communities. Each
tortoise creates 8 to 10 burrows and a burrow can be up to 40 feet long. These
burrows offer a hiding place for other animals, especially when fire is
introduced to the area. Pines are fire dependent; it is required to release
nutrients, reduce litter, and open up space, among other things. Threats to
Pine communities are a lack of fire and development. (Hardwoods are not
dependent on fire, they are destroyed.)
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