Natural Communities
Alan Hallman
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The Apalachicola River and its associated streams, marshes, and floodplain forests
provide habitat for a variety of sport and commercial fish populations.
Apalachicola Bay produces over 90 percent of Florida's oysters and
is a major nursery for blue crabs and marine finfishes. Unique and
outstanding wildlife habitat, including that of some rare and endangered
species, is also found in the area.
Some portions of the area have been heavily disturbed as a result
of agriculture and silviculture (tree farming). Cut-over timber
plantations in Franklin County that were not reforested have some
natural pine regeneration and a shrub layer of titi, myrtle, gallberry,
and other native woody species. The old fields south of Howard
Creek in Gulf County have been invaded by exotics and native species
such as titi, wax myrtle, and gallberry.
FWC has contracted with the
Florida
Natural Areas Inventory to map natural communities and collect
data on vegetation structure and composition for each community
on 25 managed areas. You may view or print the Natural
Communities Map (pdf file) for Apalachicola
River.
