Gulf Coast Sandy Pine Flatwoods

EVT 7454East Gulf Coastal Plain Near-Coast Pine Flatwoods
CES203.375GNRTreeConifer
Summary
This ecological system of open forests or woodlands occupies broad, sandy flatlands in a relatively narrow band along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast east of the Mississippi River. This range corresponds roughly to the Gulf Coast Flatwoods (EPA Ecoregion 75a). These areas predominantly occur on poorly drained acidic Spodosol soils, which are subject to seasonal inundation as well as droughty conditions. Often called "flatwoods" or "flatlands," they are subject to short fire-return intervals and seasonally high water tables. Overstory vegetation is characterized by Pinus palustris and, to a lesser degree, by Pinus elliottii var. elliottii. Understory structure ranges from densely shrubby to open and herbaceous-dominated, with variation in soils and drainage. The variation includes Scrubby Flatwoods, Mesic Flatwoods, Wet Flatwoods, and Maritime Flatwoods. Fire is naturally frequent; many sites have a fire-return time of from one to four years.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
Overstory vegetation is characterized by Pinus palustris and to a lesser degree by Pinus elliottii. Some stands include Pinus serotina. Shrubs include Quercus geminata, Quercus minima, Quercus pumila, Serenoa repens, Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Ilex vomitoria, and Lyonia lucida. Herbaceous species may include Aristida beyrichiana, Ctenium aromaticum, Muhlenbergia expansa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus floridanus, Carphephorus pseudoliatris, Sarracenia alata, Agalinis filicaulis, Polygala cymosa, Rhynchospora spp., and Helianthus radula.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This system occupies broad, sandy flatlands which are subject to short fire-return intervals even though they are subject to seasonally high water tables. Spodosols encourage seasonal saturation, acidity, and high soil iron and aluminum concentrations. These areas are often called "flatwoods" or "flatlands."
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
Fire is naturally frequent, with a fire-return time of from one to four years. Disturbances are an important part of the natural functions of wet pine savanna and flatwoods. In order for these habitats to burn frequently (every 2-3 years), there needs to be enough fine fuel, such as needles from Pinus palustris trees, healthy populations of native warm-season grasses, and evergreen shrubs with volatile oils in their leaves, such as Gaylussacia frondosa, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Lyonia spp., Serenoa repens, and Vaccinium spp. The frequent fires promote flowering, seed production, and seed germination of many plants and provide open areas in patches (Van Lear et al. 2005).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Threats
Lack of fire and hydrological alteration are big threats for these Pinus palustris ecosystems. Ditches and bedding can alter the hydrology of sites, but also when the midstory becomes dominated by shrubs due to lack of fire, increased transpiration reduces water availability to the herbaceous ground cover plants. Threats also include the loss of habitat from commercial and residential development, 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 Imperata cylindrica (Brewer 2008), Lespedeza bicolor or Lespedeza cuneata, Lonicera japonica, and 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, usually of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is conceived of as including wet and dry pine flatwoods of the near-coastal zone of the East Gulf Coastal Plain, mainly south of the Cody Scarp (Peet and Allard 1993). It corresponds roughly to the Gulf Coast Flatwoods, Ecoregion 75a (EPA 2004).
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

Nyssa ursina, Pinus elliottii, Pinus palustris, Pinus serotina

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Cyrilla racemiflora, Fothergilla gardenii, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Ilex vomitoria, Lyonia lucida, Nolina atopocarpa, Quercus elliottii, Quercus geminata, Quercus minima, Rhododendron chapmanii, Serenoa repens

Short shrub/sapling

Hypericum crux-andreae, Hypericum exile, Hypericum nitidum

Herb (field)

Agalinis aphylla, Agalinis filicaulis, Agalinis linifolia, Andropogon arctatus, Andropogon perangustatus, Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus, Angelica dentata, Aristida beyrichiana, Aristida patula, Arnoglossum album, Asclepias rubra, Asclepias viridula, Balduina atropurpurea, Baptisia simplicifolia, Burmannia capitata, Calamovilfa curtissii, Calopogon barbatus, Calopogon multiflorus, Calopogon pallidus, Calopogon tuberosus, Carex striata var. striata, Carex verrucosa, Carphephorus pseudoliatris, Cirsium lecontei, Cleistes divaricata, Coelorachis tuberculosa, Coreopsis floridana, Ctenium aromaticum, Ctenium floridanum, Cuphea aspera, Eriocaulon nigrobracteatum, Euphorbia telephioides, Eurybia eryngiifolia, Eurybia spinulosa, Gentiana pennelliana, Gratiola pilosa, Harperocallis flava, Hasteola robertiorum, Helenium vernale, Helianthus radula, Hymenocallis henryae, Justicia crassifolia, Lachnocaulon beyrichianum, Liatris provincialis, Lilium iridollae, Linum floridanum var. chrysocarpum, Linum macrocarpum, Linum westii, Lobelia boykinii, Lorinseria areolata, Ludwigia curtissii, Lythrum curtissii, Macbridea alba, Muhlenbergia capillaris var. trichopodes, Oxypolis ternata, Parnassia caroliniana, Parnassia grandifolia, Paronychia rugelii, Paronychia rugelii var. interior, Paronychia rugelii var. rugelii, Phyllanthus liebmannianus ssp. platylepis, Physostegia godfreyi, Pinguicula ionantha, Pinguicula planifolia, Platanthera blephariglottis var. conspicua, Platanthera chapmanii, Platanthera cristata, Platanthera integra, Platanthera nivea, Pleea tenuifolia, Pteroglossaspis ecristata, Rhexia parviflora, Rhynchospora crinipes, Rhynchospora culixa, Rhynchospora galeana, Rhynchospora globularis var. pinetorum, Rhynchospora thornei, Ruellia noctiflora, Sabatia brevifolia, Sarracenia alabamensis ssp. wherryi, Sarracenia alata, Sarracenia leucophylla, Sarracenia rosea, Schizachyrium scoparium, Schoenolirion albiflorum, Scleria ciliata var. ciliata, Scutellaria floridana, Senega cruciata, Senega cymosa, Senega hookeri, Senega nuttallii, Spigelia gentianoides, Spigelia loganioides, Spiranthes brevilabris, Spiranthes floridana, Spiranthes longilabris, Sporobolus curtissii, Sporobolus floridanus, Sporobolus teretifolius, Stachydeoma graveolens, Stylisma aquatica, Symphyotrichum chapmanii, Thalictrum cooleyi, Tiedemannia filiformis ssp. greenmanii, Tridens carolinianus, Verbesina aristata, Xyris chapmanii, Xyris drummondii, Xyris isoetifolia, Xyris louisianica, Xyris scabrifolia, Xyris serotina, Xyris stricta

Nonvascular

Archidium minus, Bruchia hallii, Campylopus carolinae
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (27)

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 Black BearUrsus americanus floridanusG5T4

Birds (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
LeConte's SparrowAmmospiza leconteiiG5
Florida Scrub JayAphelocoma coerulescensG2
Loggerhead ShrikeLanius ludovicianusG4
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisG3
Brown-headed NuthatchSitta pusillaG4

Reptiles (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon couperiG2G3
Mimic Glass LizardOphisaurus mimicusG2
Eastern PinesnakePituophis melanoleucusG4
Florida PinesnakePituophis melanoleucus mugitusG4T3
Common Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon fasciatusG5

Amphibians (6)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Reticulated Flatwoods SalamanderAmbystoma bishopiG1
Frosted Flatwoods SalamanderAmbystoma cingulatumG1
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3
Dusky Gopher FrogLithobates sevosusG1
Striped NewtNotophthalmus perstriatusG2
Little Grass FrogPseudacris ocularisG5

Fish (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Panama City CrayfishProcambarus econfinaeG1

Butterflies & Moths (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Loammi SkipperAtrytonopsis loammiG2
Florida Olive HairstreakCallophrys gryneus sweadneriG5T2T3

Insects (4)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Wakulla Springs Vari-colored MicrocaddisflyHydroptila wakullaG2
Apalachicola GrasshopperMelanoplus apalachicolaeG1
North Peninsular Mycotrupes BeetleMycotrupes gaigeiG2G3
Rusty Cebrionid BeetleSelonodon ferrugineusG2

Molluscs (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Dixie LiptoothDaedalochila hausmaniG2
Manatee TreesnailDrymaeus dormaniG2G3

Other Invertebrates (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Gopher TortoiseGopherus polyphemusG3
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (104)

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 False FoxgloveAgalinis aphyllaG3G4--
Thread-stem False FoxgloveAgalinis filicaulisG3--
Reticulated Flatwoods SalamanderAmbystoma bishopiG1Endangered
Frosted Flatwoods SalamanderAmbystoma cingulatumG1Threatened
Pinewoods BluestemAndropogon arctatusG3--
Coastal Plain AngelicaAngelica dentataG2G3--
Florida Scrub JayAphelocoma coerulescensG2Threatened
Small Archidium MossArchidium minusG2?--
Bay County Indian-plantainArnoglossum albumG1--
Southern MilkweedAsclepias viridulaG2--
Loammi SkipperAtrytonopsis loammiG2--
Purple BalduinaBalduina atropurpureaG2--
Hall's Bruchia MossBruchia halliiG2--
Florida Olive HairstreakCallophrys gryneus sweadneriG5T2T3--
Many-flower Grass-pinkCalopogon multiflorusG3--
Savanna Campylopus MossCampylopus carolinaeG2--
Le Conte's ThistleCirsium leconteiG3--
Florida JointgrassCoelorachis tuberculosaG3--
Florida TickseedCoreopsis floridanaG3G4--
Florida Orange-grassCtenium floridanumG2--
Tropical WaxweedCuphea asperaG2--
Dixie LiptoothDaedalochila hausmaniG2--
Manatee TreesnailDrymaeus dormaniG2G3--
Eastern Indigo SnakeDrymarchon couperiG2G3Threatened
Black-bract PipewortEriocaulon nigrobracteatumG1Under Review
Telephus SpurgeEuphorbia telephioidesG2Threatened
Coyote-thistle AsterEurybia eryngiifoliaG3G4--
Pinewoods AsterEurybia spinulosaG1?--
Dwarf Witch-alderFothergilla gardeniiG3G4--
Wiregrass GentianGentiana pennellianaG3--
Gopher TortoiseGopherus polyphemusG3--
Harper's BeautyHarperocallis flavaG2Endangered
HammockherbHasteola robertiorumG1--
Wakulla Springs Vari-colored MicrocaddisflyHydroptila wakullaG2--
Henry's Spider-lilyHymenocallis henryaeG2Under Review
Florida Sands St. John's-wortHypericum exileG2G3--
Thickleaf Water-willowJusticia crassifoliaG3--
Red-cockaded WoodpeckerLeuconotopicus borealisG3Threatened
Godfrey's BlazingstarLiatris provincialisG1G2--
Yellow-fruit FlaxLinum floridanum var. chrysocarpumG5?T3?--
Spring Hill FlaxLinum macrocarpumG2--
West's FlaxLinum westiiG1G2Under Review
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3Under Review
Dusky Gopher FrogLithobates sevosusG1Endangered
Boykin's LobeliaLobelia boykiniiG2?Under Review
Curtiss' SeedboxLudwigia curtissiiG3G4--
Curtiss' LoosestrifeLythrum curtissiiG2Under Review
White Birds-in-a-nestMacbridea albaG2Threatened
Apalachicola GrasshopperMelanoplus apalachicolaeG1--
North Peninsular Mycotrupes BeetleMycotrupes gaigeiG2G3--
Florida Bear-grassNolina atopocarpaG3--
Striped NewtNotophthalmus perstriatusG2--
Bear TupeloNyssa ursinaG3--
Mimic Glass LizardOphisaurus mimicusG2--
Savanna CowbaneOxypolis ternataG3--
Carolina Grass-of-ParnassusParnassia carolinianaG3--
Largeleaf Grass-of-ParnassusParnassia grandifoliaG3G4--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugeliiG2?--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugelii var. interiorG2?T2?Q--
Rugel's NailwortParonychia rugelii var. rugeliiG2?T2?--
Florida Leaf-flowerPhyllanthus liebmannianus ssp. platylepisG4T2--
Godfrey's False DragonheadPhysostegia godfreyiG3--
Violet-flowered ButterwortPinguicula ionanthaG2Threatened
Chapman's ButterwortPinguicula planifoliaG3?--
Florida PinesnakePituophis melanoleucus mugitusG4T3--
Chapman's Fringed OrchidPlatanthera chapmaniiG2G3--
Yellow Fringeless OrchidPlatanthera integraG3G4--
Snowy OrchidPlatanthera niveaG3G4--
Panama City CrayfishProcambarus econfinaeG1Threatened
Small-flower MeadowbeautyRhexia parvifloraG2G3Under Review
Chapman's RhododendronRhododendron chapmaniiG1Endangered
Hairy-peduncled BeakrushRhynchospora crinipesG3--
Georgia BeakrushRhynchospora culixaG1Q--
Short-bristle BaldrushRhynchospora galeanaG3?--
Small's BeakrushRhynchospora globularis var. pinetorumG5?T3T4--
Thorne's BeakrushRhynchospora thorneiG3--
Night-flowering Wild PetuniaRuellia noctifloraG3?--
Shortleaf PinkSabatia brevifoliaG3G4--
Wherry's Sweet PitcherplantSarracenia alabamensis ssp. wherryiG3T1?Under Review
Whitetop PitcherplantSarracenia leucophyllaG3--
Purple PitcherplantSarracenia roseaG3--
White SunnybellSchoenolirion albiflorumG3--
Florida SkullcapScutellaria floridanaG2Threatened
Rusty Cebrionid BeetleSelonodon ferrugineusG2--
Hooker's MilkwortSenega hookeriG3--
Gentian PinkrootSpigelia gentianoidesG2Endangered
Florida PinkrootSpigelia loganioidesG2--
Texas Ladies'-tressesSpiranthes brevilabrisG1G2--
Florida Ladies'-tressesSpiranthes floridanaG1--
Giant-spiral Ladies'-tressesSpiranthes longilabrisG3--
Pineland DropseedSporobolus curtissiiG3--
Florida DropseedSporobolus floridanusG3--
Wireleaf DropseedSporobolus teretifoliusG2Under Review
Mock PennyroyalStachydeoma graveolensG2G3--
Chapman's AsterSymphyotrichum chapmaniiG2G3--
Cooley's MeadowrueThalictrum cooleyiG1Endangered
Giant Water-dropwortTiedemannia filiformis ssp. greenmaniiG5T2--
Carolina FluffgrassTridens carolinianusG3G4--
Chapman's Yellow-eyed-grassXyris chapmaniiG3--
Drummond's Yellow-eyed-grassXyris drummondiiG3G4--
Quillwort Yellow-eyed-grassXyris isoetifoliaG2--
Kral's Yellow-eyed-grassXyris louisianicaG2G3--
Harper's Yellow-eyed-grassXyris scabrifoliaG3--
Acid-swamp Yellow-eyed-grassXyris serotinaG3G4--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (13)

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
Pinus elliottii - (Pinus palustris) / Ilex vomitoria - Serenoa repens - Morella cerifera WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus elliottii - (Pinus serotina) / Aristida beyrichiana - Rhynchospora oligantha - Sarracenia spp. WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus elliottii / Serenoa repens - Ilex glabra WoodlandG4 NatureServe
Pinus elliottii - Taxodium ascendens / Polygala cymosa - Rhynchospora spp. WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus (palustris, elliottii) / (Quercus geminata) / Serenoa repens / Aristida beyrichiana WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - (Pinus elliottii) / Ctenium aromaticum - Carphephorus pseudoliatris - (Sarracenia alata) WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - (Pinus elliottii) / Ilex coriacea - Cyrilla racemiflora WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - (Pinus elliottii) / Ilex vomitoria / Muhlenbergia expansa - Agalinis filicaulis WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Ilex glabra - Lyonia lucida - (Serenoa repens) WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Quercus minima - Quercus pumila / Aristida beyrichiana WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Schizachyrium scoparium - Muhlenbergia expansa - Helianthus radula WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Serenoa repens - Ilex glabra WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus serotina / Sporobolus floridanus - Aristida beyrichiana WoodlandG2 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (5)

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
ALSNR
FLSNR
GASNR
LASNR
MSSNR
Roadless Areas (4)

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 (4)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Clear LakeApalachicola National Forest36.4%823.41
SavannahApalachicola National Forest15.9%124.38
Gum BayApalachicola National Forest5.3%251.82
Long BayApalachicola National Forest5.2%119.61
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.