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Southeastern Conifer Forests (WWF ecoregion NA0529)


Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann

Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 1 (globally outstanding)
The fire-maintained Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) - Aristida stricta (wiregrass) forests may have contained the richest temperate herbaceous flora on earth with 3417 herbaceous and shrub species.  Tree diversity and endemism are highest in this ecoregion and it also ranks in the top ten for amphibian, reptile, and bird richness. *

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 1 (critical)
Only about 2% of the habitat in this ecoregion is intact.  Most of the region has been converted to agriculture or tree farms of Pinus elliottii (slash pine).  Fire supression and suburban sprawl are also threats.*

Characteristic species*
Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) (c) 2005 Lisa Kelly

Aristida stricta (wiregrass) (c) 2004 Lisa Kelly

Associated habitats

Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia (c) 2001 Maurice J. Kaufmann  hires

Ocala National Forest, Florida

Sabal palmetto (cabbage palmetto) (trees to 80 ft) and Serenoa repens (saw palmetto).  Succession leads to this if not burned. (c) 2004 Maurice J. Kaufmann  hires

* Ricketts, T.H., E. Dinerstein, D.M. Olson, C.J. Loucks, et al.  (1999) Terrestrial Ecoregions of North America: A Conservation Assessment.  World Wildlife Fund - United States and Canada.  Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 268-271.

Except as noted, images copyright 2002-2004 Steve Baskauf - Terms of use