Home/Ecosystems/ Southern Coastal Plain Seepage Swamp

Southern Coastal Plain Seepage Swamp

EVT 7461Southern Coastal Plain Seepage Swamp and Baygall Woodland

CES203.505GNRTreeRiparian

Summary

This wetland system consists of forested wetlands in acidic, seepage-influenced habitats of the East Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains, extending from Mississippi and the Florida Parishes of Louisiana east into southern Georgia and central Florida. These are mostly evergreen forests generally found at the base of slopes or other habitats where seepage flow is concentrated. Resulting moisture conditions are saturated or even inundated. The vegetation is characterized by Magnolia virginiana and Nyssa biflora. Examples occur in the outer portions of the Coastal Plain within the range of Persea palustris, and where Magnolia virginiana is an important or even dominant species. To the north this system grades into East Gulf Coastal Plain Northern Seepage Swamp (CES203.554), where evergreen species are largely replaced by deciduous species in the canopy. Due to excessive wetness, these habitats are normally protected from fire except those which occur during extreme droughty periods. These environments are prone to long-duration standing water, and tend to occur on highly acidic, nutrient-poor soils.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Vegetation

The vegetation is characterized by Magnolia virginiana and Nyssa biflora. Examples occur in the outer portions of the Coastal Plain within the range of Persea palustris, and where Magnolia virginiana is an important or even dominant species. Dominant trees in some stands may include Quercus laurifolia, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Liriodendron tulipifera. In addition, some stands may be dominated by Cyrilla racemiflora and/or Cliftonia monophylla. Other shrubs include Ilex coriacea, Leucothoe axillaris, Lyonia lucida, Morella caroliniensis, Morella inodora, and Viburnum nudum var. nudum. Herbs include Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea, Carex glaucescens, Carex lonchocarpa, Chasmanthium ornithorhynchum, Polygala cymosa, Solidago patula var. strictula, and Sphagnum spp.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Environment

These wetlands may occur in poorly developed upland drainages, narrow ravine bottoms, bases of steepheads, and small headwaters stream bottoms. In most cases, these wetlands are embedded in uplands with deep sandy soils. When this system is associated with streams, they tend to be low-gradient, with narrow, often braided channels and diffuse drainage patterns. Habitat also includes baygall vegetation in oval depressions (Carolina bays) in southern Georgia (e.g., in Liberty and Long counties, Georgia).

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Dynamics

Due to excessive wetness, these habitats are normally protected from fire except those which occur during extreme droughty periods. These environments are prone to long-duration standing water and tend to occur on highly acidic, nutrient-poor soils and saturated peat (FNAI 2010a). This system occurs in landscapes that had frequent fire in the past, but the wetness usually limited fire spread, creating an infrequent fire-return interval. While infrequent, fire intensity varies among associations; those dominated by evergreen shrubs such as Ilex, Lyonia, Illicium, Cliftonia, Gaylussacia, Persea, Morella, Arundinaria, and Cyrilla and with Pinus serotina or Chamaecyparis thyoides can produce intense canopy fire when they burn (especially when ladder fuels are present), while others probably experience only low-intensity surface fires because of low flammability. When severe drought has allowed the peat to dry, wildfire can burn out the peat. If shrubs survive, they will resprout, but if the roots of shrubs are killed, the site may respond to the intense fire and transition to herbaceous marsh or eventually Taxodium - Nyssa swamp vegetation (FNAI 2010a).

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Threats

Threats include habitat fragmentation, logging, forestry site preparation or conversion to single-species forestry plantation, drainage (including minor drainage), eutrophication within urban and agricultural landscapes (from nutrient-laden stormwater runoff), invasive exotic plants such as Lonicera japonica, Ligustrum sinense, Triadica sebifera, Lygodium japonicum, and feral hog (Sus scrofa) rooting (Engeman et al. 2007). Intense wildfire can also be a threat (FNAI 2010a).

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Distribution

This system occurs in the East Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains, extending from Mississippi and the Florida Parishes of Louisiana east into the Outer Coastal Plain of southern Georgia and into central Florida.

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

Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Magnolia virginiana, Nyssa biflora, Quercus laurifolia

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Cliftonia monophylla, Cyrilla racemiflora, Fothergilla gardenii, Ilex coriacea, Leitneria floridana, Leucothoe axillaris, Lindera subcoriacea, Lyonia lucida, Morella caroliniensis, Morella inodora, Pieris phillyreifolia, Tamala palustris, Viburnum nudum var. nudum

Herb (field)

Agalinis aphylla, Apteria aphylla, Balduina atropurpurea, Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea, Carex glaucescens, Carex lonchocarpa, Chasmanthium ornithorhynchum, Epidendrum conopseum, Hartwrightia floridana, Hexastylis speciosa, Lilium iridollae, Macbridea caroliniana, Macranthera flammea, Peltandra sagittifolia, Pinguicula primuliflora, Platanthera blephariglottis, Platanthera blephariglottis var. conspicua, Sarracenia alabamensis ssp. wherryi, Sarracenia leucophylla, Sarracenia rosea, Sarracenia rubra, Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis, Sarracenia rubra ssp. rubra, Senega cymosa, Solidago patula var. strictula, Xyris scabrifolia

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Ecologically Associated Animals (20)

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 (4)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
North American River Otter	Lontra canadensis	G5
Southeastern Myotis	Myotis austroriparius	G4
Florida Panther	Puma concolor coryi	G5T1
Florida Black Bear	Ursus americanus floridanus	G5T4

Birds (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Florida Sandhill Crane	Antigone canadensis pratensis	G5T2

Reptiles (4)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Northern Cottonmouth	Agkistrodon piscivorus	G5
Eastern Indigo Snake	Drymarchon couperi	G2G3
Eastern Ribbonsnake	Thamnophis saurita	G5
Common Ribbonsnake	Thamnophis saurita saurita	G5T5

Amphibians (5)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Frosted Flatwoods Salamander	Ambystoma cingulatum	G1
Two-toed Amphiuma	Amphiuma means	G5
Apalachicola Dusky Salamander	Desmognathus apalachicolae	G4
Pine Barrens Treefrog	Dryophytes andersonii	G3
Red Salamander	Pseudotriton ruber	G5

Fish (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Fireback Crayfish	Cambarus pyronotus	G2

Butterflies & Moths (2)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Dukes' Skipper	Euphyes dukesi	G3G4
Okefenokee Zale Moth	Zale perculta	G2?

Insects (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Say's Spiketail	Zoraena sayi	G3

Other (2)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Holbrook's Southern Dusky Salamander	Desmognathus auriculatus	G5
Eastern Cougar	Puma concolor couguar	G5TXQ

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (27)

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 Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank	ESA Status
Coastal Plain False Foxglove	Agalinis aphylla	G3G4	--
Frosted Flatwoods Salamander	Ambystoma cingulatum	G1	Threatened
Florida Sandhill Crane	Antigone canadensis pratensis	G5T2	--
Purple Balduina	Balduina atropurpurea	G2	--
Fireback Crayfish	Cambarus pyronotus	G2	--
Eastern Indigo Snake	Drymarchon couperi	G2G3	Threatened
Pine Barrens Treefrog	Dryophytes andersonii	G3	Delisted
Dukes' Skipper	Euphyes dukesi	G3G4	--
Dwarf Witch-alder	Fothergilla gardenii	G3G4	--
Florida Hartwrightia	Hartwrightia floridana	G2G3	Under Review
Harper's Heartleaf	Hexastylis speciosa	G2	Under Review
Corkwood	Leitneria floridana	G3	--
Bog Spicebush	Lindera subcoriacea	G3	--
Carolina Birds-in-a-nest	Macbridea caroliniana	G3	--
Flameflower	Macranthera flammea	G3	--
Spoon-flower	Peltandra sagittifolia	G3G4	--
Southern Butterwort	Pinguicula primuliflora	G3G4	--
Florida Panther	Puma concolor coryi	G5T1	Endangered
Eastern Cougar	Puma concolor couguar	G5TXQ	Delisted
Wherry's Sweet Pitcherplant	Sarracenia alabamensis ssp. wherryi	G3T1?	Under Review
Whitetop Pitcherplant	Sarracenia leucophylla	G3	--
Purple Pitcherplant	Sarracenia rosea	G3	--
Gulf Sweet Pitcherplant	Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis	G3G4T2T3	--
Red-flowered Sweet Pitcherplant	Sarracenia rubra ssp. rubra	G3G4T3T4	--
Harper's Yellow-eyed-grass	Xyris scabrifolia	G3	--
Okefenokee Zale Moth	Zale perculta	G2?	--
Say's Spiketail	Zoraena sayi	G3	--

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Component Associations (17)

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.

Name	G-Rank
Chamaecyparis thyoides - Pinus elliottii / Nyssa biflora - Acer rubrum var. trilobum / Serenoa repens Swamp		NatureServe
Cyrilla racemiflora - Cliftonia monophylla Wet Scrub		NatureServe
Gordonia lasianthus - Magnolia virginiana - Persea palustris / Sphagnum spp. Swamp		NatureServe
Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus laurifolia / Magnolia virginiana / Carex lonchocarpa Wet Forest		NatureServe
Liriodendron tulipifera - Nyssa biflora - Magnolia virginiana / Toxicodendron vernix - Morella caroliniensis Swamp		NatureServe
Magnolia virginiana / Illicium floridanum Forest		NatureServe
Magnolia virginiana - Nyssa biflora / Carpinus caroliniana / Thelypteris noveboracensis - Athyrium filix-femina Swamp		NatureServe
Magnolia virginiana - Nyssa biflora - Magnolia grandiflora / Ilex coriacea / Solidago patula var. strictula Swamp		NatureServe
Magnolia virginiana - Persea palustris / Lyonia lucida Swamp		NatureServe
Nyssa biflora - (Acer rubrum) / Ilex opaca / Leucothoe axillaris / Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea Swamp		NatureServe
Nyssa biflora - Acer rubrum var. trilobum - Liriodendron tulipifera / Ilex coriacea - Lyonia lucida Swamp		NatureServe
Nyssa biflora - Magnolia virginiana - (Pinus elliottii) / Morella (caroliniensis, inodora) Swamp		NatureServe
(Pinus elliottii) / Cyrilla racemiflora - Persea palustris - Magnolia virginiana - Smilax laurifolia Wet Shrubland		NatureServe
Pinus elliottii - Magnolia virginiana - Taxodium ascendens - Nyssa biflora / Polygala cymosa Swamp		NatureServe
Pinus serotina - Pinus elliottii / Cliftonia monophylla - Cyrilla racemiflora Swamp Woodland		NatureServe
Quercus laurifolia - Magnolia virginiana - Nyssa biflora / Chasmanthium ornithorhynchum Swamp		NatureServe
Quercus laurifolia - Nyssa biflora East Gulf Coastal Plain Swamp		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.

State	S-Rank
AL	SNR
FL	SNR
GA	SNR
LA	SNR
MS	SNR

Roadless Areas (1)

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 (1)

Area	Forest	Coverage	Hectares
Alexander Springs Creek	Ocala National Forest	6.3%	74.79

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.