FLORIDA KEYS WETLANDS

The land base of the Florida Keys is home to four interrelated wetland communities. These wetlands play key roles in an interdependent ecosystem that includes submerged aquatic habitats such as coral reefs and seagrasses, and upland forests of hardwood hammock.

Photograph of Salt Marsh Wetlands

Photograph of Buttonwood Wetlands

Salt Marsh and Buttonwood Wetlands are less frequently flooded than mangrove wetlands. They provide valuable stormwater storage and wildlife habitat as well as maintenance and improvement of water quality. Salt marshes are typified by salt-tolerant grasses and herbs such as cordgrass (Spartina) and fringerbush (Fimbristylis). Buttonwood wetlands are salt marshes that also feature green buttonwood trees (Conocarpus erectus). Rare plants such as bromeliads are common in some buttonwood wetlands.

Photograph of Freshwater Wetlands

Freshwater Wetlands can be found in select areas of the Florida Keys, especially in the Lower Keys where freshwater lenses on some larger islands still exist. Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) and spikerush (Eleocharis spp.) Wetlands can be found in conjunction with pine forests. These areas support a unique community all their own, including the Florida Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi victa), Rosey Rat Snake (Elaphe guttata guttata), Lower Keys Mud Turtle (Kinosternon baurii), the Florida Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri), Key Deer (Odocoileus viginianus clavium) and Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri).

Photograph of Mangrove Wetlands

Mangrove Wetlands are found closest to the sea and are flooded by daily tides. Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) display characteristic prop roots. Black (Avicennia germinans) and white (Laguncularia racemosa) mangroves can usually be found landward of the reds. Mangrove wetlands provide habitat for birds, support extensive coastal food webs and provide shoreline stability and storm protection. In the Keys fringing mangrove forests and scrub mangrove marshes occur. The scrub mangrove community often includes salt-tolerant herbs.

Photograph of Salt Ponds

Salt Ponds, due to their inland location, provide sheltered areas where an abundance of wading birds and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds can take refuge for feeding and resting. The Key West Salt Ponds are probably the best known example.

The Florida Keys Advanced Identification (ADID) Project provides comprehensive identification and mapping of wetland types in the Florida Keys. All wetlands are also assessed for their ability to provide the vital functions of wildlife habitat, pollutant filtering and stormwater storage. The ADID program assists local governments nationwide to plan for wetlands conservation that is scientific, consistent, and comprehensive.

For more information on wetlands, contact the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, Wetlands Program, 100 Alabama Street, Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 562-9355; fax (404) 562-9343.

Reef Relief distributes an educational poster on the wetlands ecosystem.

To obtain a copy or for more information on the coral reef ecosystem, contact REEF RELIEF, Environmental Center and Store, 201 William Street, P.O. Box 430, Key West, FL 33041 (305) 294-3100.