Rare Plants in Fire Maintained Forested Wetland Ecotones

Wetlands are important habitat for numerous rare plant species (Edwards and Weakley 2001, Harper et al. 1998, Robertson et al. 1998, Chafin 2000, Walker 1993). Among rare plant species associated with longleaf pine ecosystems, rare species were much more likely to be found in wet habitats than dry (Walker 1993). Numerous rare species utilize ecotones (Edwards and Weakley 2001, Harper et al. 1998, Robertson et al. 1998, Chafin 2000, Walker 1993). Of rare species associated with longleaf pine systems or with non-peat wetlands, most rare species were non-woody plants (Walker 1993, Edwards and Weakley 2001).

Thus, an important management concern is the maintenance of wetland ecotones as habitat for rare plant species. Fire management programs have often negatively affected forested wetland ecotones by placing fire lines there and “protecting” wetlands from fire. Alterations of the natural fire regime have also negatively affected rare plant habitat.

Species that utilize ecotones of forested wetlands are maintained by a combination of soils, hydrologic conditions and frequent fire. Frequent fire maintains the herbaceous ecotone, by controlling the distribution of shrubs which shade and out-compete many herbs (Drewa et al. 2002a, 2002b).

Several forested wetland types have these ecotones, often herbaceous, that support rare species including, cypress wetlands, shrub bogs, pond pine woodlands associated with pocosins (sometimes considered a type of pocosin), seepage slopes, and bay forests.

The following are a selection of rare species that are Federally listed as threatened, endangered, candidates for listing or species of Federal management concern associated with these wetlands and ecotones. Numerous other species that utilize forested wetlands and/or their ecotones are tracked by State Heritage programs and states. Each of these plant species may also utilize habitats other than forested wetlands. For a tabular representation of wetland rare plants occurring on military installations and their habitats see Harper et al. (1998) and Robertson et al. (1998). For more information on Southeastern rare plants tracked by States or State Heritage programs see:

• The Florida Natural Areas Inventory Field Guide to Rare Plants and Animals or
• Endangered, Threatened, & Rare Plant Species of the Southeastern United States.

Pond Cypress Wetlands

Two Federally listed species restricted to the Florida Panhandle, threatened Godfrey’s butterwort (Pinguicula ionantha) and endangered Florida scullcap (Scutellaria floridana) are known from cypress wetland margins. Both of these species are dependent on fires (Chafin 2000, USFWS 1992, 1993). Godfrey’s butterwort does not tolerate shading from shrub encroachment and Florida scullcap requires fire to maintain vigorous growth (USFWS 1992, 1993). Canby’s dropwort (Oxypolis canbyi), a federally endangered plant, is also dependant on fires. A population was observed to increase after fire and may depend on fires to maintain an open environment (Hessl and Spackman 1996). Another species of Federal management concern, Lobelia boykinii depends on fires to keep canopies open to provide sufficient light for growth, particularly in drier wetlands where the hydroperiod is too short to prevent hardwood encroachment. Further, fire is important for removing leaf litter, a requirement for plant germination (Lacy et al. 2001). See also: Fire Ecology and Management of Pond Cypress Wetlands.

Shrub Bogs

Federally listed plants associated with streamhead shrub bogs include the endangered rough leaved loosestrife (Lysimachia asperulifolia). Loostrife is shade intolerant and is dependent on frequent fires to eliminate shrub competition (USFWS 1987, Robertson et al. 1998). Several other species that are narrowly distributed and occur only in the panhandle of Florida are also associated with streamhead shrub bogs including the Florida skullcap (see above), Chapman’s rhododendron (Rhododendron chapmanii), Panhandle lily (Lilium iridollae) and Harpers beauty (Harperocallis flava). Chapman’s rhododendron, a woody plant, requires fire to eliminate better shrub competitors and to stimulate flowering and new vegetative growth (Chafin 2000, USFWS 1979). The herbaceous species require fires to control competing shrubs. Numerous other species of federal management concern or candidates for federal listing also use these transition zones including Carolina goldenrod (Solidago pulchra), Carolina asphodel (Tofieldia glabra), bog spicebush (Lindera subcoriacea), venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) and the formerly listed white wicky (Kalmia cuneata) (Robertson et al. 1998, Chafin 2000, Hart and Newman 1995, Harper et al. 1998). Fire is thought to stimulate the flowering and vegetative growth of white wicky (USFWS 2000). See also: Fire Ecology and Management of Shrub Bogs.

Pond Pine Woodlands and Pocosins

Rough leaved loosetrife is known from pocosin margins (see above). See also: Fire Ecology and Management of Pond Pine and Fire Ecology and Management of Pocosins.