Xeric Longleaf Pine Ecosystems

Physiography: Ridgetops, Sand Ridges

Soils: Deep, coarse sands often > 3 m deep

Canopy Vegetation: Sparse longleaf pine

Subcanopy Vegetation: Scrub oaks such as bluejack oak (Quercus incana), turkey oak (Q. laevis), and sand live oak (Q. geminata)

Understory: Sparse, dominated by saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and gallberry (Ilex glabra), as well as other ericaeous shrubs.

Fire Interval: Typically once every 5-15 years; little fuel to carry surface fires.

Successional Trajectory in the Absence of Fire: Canopy succeeds toward oaks.

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