Roadless Areas
Home/Ecosystems/ Florida Longleaf Pine Sandhill

Florida Longleaf Pine Sandhill

EVT 7356
CES203.284GNRTreeConifer
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This system represents stands of Pinus palustris on excessively well-drained, sandy soils in the Outer Coastal Plain and adjacent Inner Coastal Plain of Florida. This includes the "high pine islands" of central Florida, as well as vegetation of extensive areas of sand in the Florida Panhandle, north of the Cody Scarp, including at Eglin Air Force Base (with greater than 100,000 hectares of this ecological system). In central Florida on the Ocala National Forest, these stands are found in relation with sand pine scrub vegetation. This system is represented by larger patches of Pinus palustris sandhills, generally ranging from 60 to 4000 hectares in size and larger. In addition to the largest extent at Eglin Air Force Base, examples also occur on the Ocala National Forest, the southern end of the Lake Wales Ridge, the Brooksville Ridge, and in other parts of the Florida Peninsula. Fire is absolutely essential to maintain this system, without which it may be almost completely replaced by scrub vegetation, hardwood trees, Pinus taeda, or other non-Pinus palustris-dominated vegetation.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
Stands of this system typically lack a well-developed subcanopy, especially in contrast to surrounding Pinus clausa scrub vegetation. However, the shrub layer may be well-developed, even under frequent fire conditions, and appears to be dominated by sprouts of Quercus laevis and Quercus myrtifolia. A rich herbaceous layer is present. Characteristic species in this stratum are Aristida beyrichiana and Licania michauxii. In addition, a number of species found primarily in central Florida may also be present, among the most frequent of which is Chapmannia floridana. Other geographically limited species may include Sabal etonia, Polygonella ciliata, and Arnoglossum floridanum.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
Surface soils tend to be coarse, with <5% composition of finer-textured particles (silt and clay), and very low organic content and low moisture-holding capacity. Soils are typically Entisols (Psamments), with very limited profile development. In the Florida Panhandle soils can be Ultisols. Some soil series associated with this system include the Astatula series (Kalisz 1982), as well as the Lakeland, Tavares, and Orsino series (Abrahamson et al. 1984). Candler is the most extensive soil on sandhills on the ridges of Central Florida (S. Carr pers. comm.) In some cases on the Ocala National Forest the soils may be unusually dark in color at the surface, which has been attributed, in part, to the presence of charcoal. Soils are strongly acidic (pH 4.7-5.0). Some Central Florida sites have silt or clay in the subsoil contributing to significantly higher extractable bases at the surface when compared to nearby scrub sites (Kalisz 1982). Excluded are areas with a "shallow sand cap" (K. Outcault pers. comm.). On Eglin Air Force Base in the western Florida Panhandle, this ecological system occurs on deep sands on the Citronelle Formation. Psamments are the dominant soil suborder in the areas of Florida where this system is found (NRCS n.d.).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
Fire is absolutely essential to maintain this system, without which it may be almost completely replaced by scrub vegetation (in the Florida Peninsula), hardwood trees, Pinus clausa, Pinus taeda, or other non-Pinus palustris-dominated vegetation.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Threats
Lack of fire is a big threat for all Pinus palustris ecosystems. Threats also include the loss of habitat from commercial and residential development (especially on the highlands of central Florida), and fragmentation of habitat by roads. These threats limit prescribed burning due to urban interface, safety and smoke management concerns. Invasive exotic species are threats, including the plants Imperata cylindrica (Brewer 2008), Lantana camara, Lespedeza bicolor, Lespedeza cuneata, Melinis repens, and Urena lobata and animals such as feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which root up Pinus palustris seedlings (Wahlenberg 1946) and herbaceous plants with thick roots. Pinus palustris woodlands have declined due to conversion to intensively managed pine plantations, citrus and other agricultural cropland, and improved pasture. In the absence of fire, stands will be replaced by scrub vegetation or other non-Pinus palustris-dominated vegetation.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This ecological system is found in the Outer Coastal Plain and adjacent Inner Coastal Plain of Florida, including the central Florida Peninsula (Ocala National Forest, Brooksville Ridge, southern end of the Lake Wales Ridge) (Abrahamson et al. 1984) and the Florida Panhandle, mainly north of the Cody Scarp (e.g., Eglin Air Force Base).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Pinus clausa, Pinus palustris, Quercus laevis, Quercus myrtifolia

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Crataegus lacrimata, Sabal etonia

Short shrub/sapling

Clinopodium dentatum, Licania michauxii

Herb (field)

Andropogon gyrans, Angelica dentata, Aristida beyrichiana, Aristida mohrii, Arnoglossum floridanum, Chapmannia floridana, Clitoria fragrans, Croton argyranthemus, Linum sulcatum var. harperi, Paronychia rugelii, Paronychia rugelii var. interior, Paronychia rugelii var. rugelii, Pinguicula ionantha, Pityopsis flexuosa, Polygonella ciliata, Pteridium aquilinum, Pteroglossaspis ecristata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Tephrosia mohrii, Trichostema suffrutescens, Warea amplexifolia

Nonvascular

Archidium minus, Campylopus carolinae, Eccremidium floridanum
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (12)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Florida DeermousePodomys floridanusG3

Birds (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisG3

Reptiles (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon couperiG2G3
Short-tailed KingsnakeLampropeltis extenuataG2
Mole SkinkPlestiodon egregiusG5
Eastern Fence LizardSceloporus undulatusG5
Florida Scrub LizardSceloporus woodiG2G3

Amphibians (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3
Striped NewtNotophthalmus perstriatusG2

Insects (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Gopher Tortoise Copris BeetleCopris gopheriG2
Skelley's June BeetlePhyllophaga skelleyiG2

Other Invertebrates (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Gopher TortoiseGopherus polyphemusG3
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (28)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Coastal Plain AngelicaAngelica dentataG2G3--
Small Archidium MossArchidium minusG2?--
Mohr's Three-awn GrassAristida mohriiG3--
Florida Indian-plantainArnoglossum floridanumG3--
Savanna Campylopus MossCampylopus carolinaeG2--
Toothed SavoryClinopodium dentatumG3--
Sweet-scented PigeonwingsClitoria fragransG2G3Threatened
Gopher Tortoise Copris BeetleCopris gopheriG2--
Pensacola HawthornCrataegus lacrimataG3--
Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon couperiG2G3Threatened
Florida Eccremidium MossEccremidium floridanumG1?--
Gopher TortoiseGopherus polyphemusG3--
Short-tailed KingsnakeLampropeltis extenuataG2Proposed threatened
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisG3Threatened
Harper's Grooved-yellow FlaxLinum sulcatum var. harperiG5T2--
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3Under Review
Striped NewtNotophthalmus perstriatusG2--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugeliiG2?--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugelii var. interiorG2?T2?Q--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugelii var. rugeliiG2?T2?--
Skelley's June BeetlePhyllophaga skelleyiG2--
Violet-flowered ButterwortPinguicula ionanthaG2Threatened
Zigzag Silk-grassPityopsis flexuosaG3--
Florida DeermousePodomys floridanusG3--
Florida Scrub LizardSceloporus woodiG2G3Under Review
Pineland Hoary-peaTephrosia mohriiG3--
Florida Scrub BluecurlsTrichostema suffrutescensG1G2--
Wide-leaf WareaWarea amplexifoliaG1Endangered
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (7)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Bigelowia nuttallii - Schizachyrium scoparium - Eurybia hemispherica Florida Sandstone GrasslandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus clausa / Quercus laevis / Sporobolus junceus WoodlandGNR NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus geminata / Conradina canescens / Aristida beyrichiana WoodlandGNR NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus (incana, margarettae) / Aristida beyrichiana - Asimina angustifolia WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Aristida beyrichiana - Tephrosia chrysophylla WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Licania michauxii / Pityopsis aspera WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus laevis / Schizachyrium scoparium - Rhynchosia cytisoides WoodlandG3 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (1)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
FLSNR
Roadless Areas (2)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

Florida (2)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Farles PrairieOcala National Forest10.1%77.85
Alexander Springs CreekOcala National Forest1.6%19.53
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.