Brooker Creek

11/04/16
Brooker Creek
Diane Oganesova
77 degrees (breezy/sunny)
High Pine and Pine Grasslands

Brooker Creek is greatly threatened by people, droubts, and not having prescribed fires. This park needs to receive 'prescribed' burns to thin out the pines.

The preserve itself is 8,000 acres. 55% uplands, and 45% wetlands.
High pine grasslands formerly, were the most common ecosystem in the state (covering almost 3/4's of FL). During the 19th century, because of logging, that changed which resulted into, now they are only found as a secondary growth forest.
A few ecosystem functions within a pine community are: protection, enjoyment, food, shelter, source of fire.
Within communities, you may encounter an indicator species or a keystone species.
Findings of indicator species symbolizes that the ecosystem is more "in-tact."

Within a pine community, the indicator species would be a gopher tortoise because it burrows up to 40ft long, providing a hiding place.

Within a flatland community, worms are considered to be indicator species because they "air out" the soil.

Again, the preserve is dependent on prescribed fires to thin out and get rid of extra pines.