Within Babcock/Webb is one of the largest expanses
of hydric (wet) pine flatwoods remaining in Florida and habitat to
several listed species of plants and animals. To the human eye the
landscape appears flat, but is actually slightly rolling, ridges
rising 20 to 40 feet above mean sea level. Freshwater marshes,
seasonal ponds, hardwood hammocks, and prairies are interspersed
throughout the flatwoods.
Six man-made ponds and the 395-acre artificially
constructed Webb Lake provide habitat for aquatic species as well
as recreational opportunities. During the summer rainy season, a
majority of the area may be flooded for brief periods.
Pawpaw
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Ann Johnson
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Gil Nelson
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The pine flatwoods of Babcock/Webb are home to the
largest known population of the very rare beautiful pawpaw. Listed
as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida
Department of Agriculture, the beautiful pawpaw is endemic to
Charlotte and Lee counties. Flowering (usually from late March
through May) tends to occur only after a fire or mowing of new
growth. The beautiful pawpaw has fragrant white flowers and a
3-inch long fruit resembling a lumpy bean pod. The greatest threat
to the beautiful pawpaw is destruction of habitat for residential
development.
Management
Heavy thickets of palmetto have encroached on many
places on Babcock/Webb. This overgrown palmetto was not present
historically and has reduced the habitat for native plants and
wildlife. Single pass roller chopping is used to reduce heavily
overgrown palmetto areas and to return the vegetation to the
primary stages of plant succession, benefiting many species of
wildlife. Roller chopping also reduces the volume of volatile
fuels.
Babcock/Webb now has an annual all-season burning
program to further reduce hazardous fuel accumulation, to improve
wildlife habitat, and to restore fire-dependent ecological
communities. Fire is important for maintaining communities favored
by the beautiful pawpaw and the red-cockaded woodpecker.
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