Physiography and vegetation zonation of shallow emergent marshes in southwestern Florida

Twenty-four fresh marsh-wet prairie wetland sites in southwestern Florida were studied with respect to vegetation zonation, substrate characteristics, and morphometry. Six major wetland zones were identified. TheHypericum zone occupied the shallowest position (closest to the upland edge) and was confined to sandy substrates. ThePanicum-Rhynchospora zone typically followed downslope and was also associated with sandy substrates. TheMixed Emergent,Cladium,Cephalanthus andFraxinus-Salix zones all occurred on organic soils in wetland interiors. In addition to depth and substrate type, other important determinants of zone composition included fire and disturbance due to feral hog rooting and cattle grazing.