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Sources of data: Information reported has been derived from the staff of the q 



Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and college and university jj 



biologists during site visits to certain of the areas reported. The generous q 



cooperation of Mr. Larry Shanks, River Basins Study Project, Florida Game and 

 Fresh Water Commission, is greatly appreciated. 



Recommendations: Among the areas included are two Natural Landmarks — Big 

 Cypress Bend and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Other areas of outstanding in- 

 terest which need national recognition are Emeralda Marsh, Fahkahatchee 

 Strand, and Hickstown Swamp. They represent three of the major wetland types 

 mapped by Davis. The Hickstown cypress swamp in northern Florida has a dif- 

 ferent floristic composition from the more southern swamps such as Corkscrew 

 and Big Cypress Bend. Fahkahatchee Strand lies within the mature cypress and 

 scrub cypress region. Although it has been cut over, it represents an extensive 

 wilderness wetland with one of the best native stands of royal palms in the state. 

 Emeralda Marsh is dominantly an open marsh and provides an ideal breeding 

 area for the Sandhill Crane. All the wet prairies have been disturbed. However, 

 Paynes and the Kissimmee still exhibit aspects that should be protected from 

 further encroachment, and landmark status might be helpful. The former has 

 been recognized for its historical and biological interest by an interpretative 

 roadside station. Agriculture activity and drainage operations are currently hav- 

 ing a serious impact on these wet prairie sites. 



The Green Swamp is one of the most extensive in the state ( 128,000 acres 

 estimated) and includes a diversity of wetland types — marshes, wooded swamps, 

 and wet prairies. Although the ownership pattern is complex, plans are being 

 proposed for a massive drainage operation. Prompt action will be required to 

 save it. Biologically, it ranks high as an area worthy of national recognition. 



Three of the areas recommended are within federal holdings. The Lox- 

 ahatchee National Wildlife Refuge situated northeast of the Everglades National 

 Park exhibits aspects sufficiently different to warrant consideration, even though 

 certain sections are under intensive management. Within the Osceola National 

 Forest, the Osceola Natural Area represents a several hundred acre hardwood 

 or mixed hardwood evergreen swamp forest. In the Ocala National Forest, the 

 Oklawaha River Swamp is worthy of preservation as a scenic river. Dense stands 

 of cypress line the shore of this deep, clear, strongly flowing river. As a national 

 park, the Everglades is assumed to be protected as a natural area. Therefore no 

 descriptive text is included on the Everglades National Park. This wetland com- 

 plex is recognized as a unique aquatic ecosystem — highly dependent upon the 

 natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee. The future of this park will de- 

 pend upon assuring an adequate supply of water which is now under the control 

 of man. 



An excellent list of other potential areas can be found in a memorandum of 

 the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission entitled Some Needed Wild 

 Rivers and Unique Areas of Florida at the Crossroads, September 13, 1965. 



Literature cited 



Davis, J. 1967. General map of natural vegetation of Florida. Agricultural 

 Experiment Stations. University of Florida. Circular S- 1 78. 



