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publications > open file report > OFR 2004-1448 > results > ridge & slough vegetation Results
Modern Ridge and Slough VegetationRidge vegetation is dominated by ~2 meter tall Cladium (Table 1). Secondary vegetation includes small shrubs (< 2 meters), primarily Myrica and Cephalanthus. Occasionally, herbaceous plants, such as Polygonum, Sagittaria, and ferns are present. Peat in sawgrass ridges is thicker, and water depth is shallower than in neighboring sloughs (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6). Sloughs are extensive areas of open water where Nymphaea is the dominant species (Table 1). Sloughs lack the Cladium and woody vegetation that dominate adjacent sawgrass ridges (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6). Subdominant vegetation includes Eleocharis, Panicum, Utricularia purpurea, U. foliosa, and Bacopa. Sloughs have greater water depths and thinner peats than sawgrass ridges (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6). A transition zone between the sawgrass ridges and sloughs is distinguishable. Although the boundaries are not clearly defined between the transition zone and the adjacent ridge and slough, the Cladium within the transition zone is shorter and has a sparser distribution than in the central ridge (Table 1). Also, herbaceous species such as Sagittaria and Bacopa are more common. Crinum is found primarily in this zone. Peat thickness is slightly less than in the sawgrass ridge; water depths are greater, and there is more open water (Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 6).
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
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Last updated: 04 April, 2005 @ 08:25 AM (KP)
