The best way to convey the specifics of this info. is thru some of the better links I found, since the ecosystems cover about 160 miles of river, and we will be paddling through areas that are numerous and some of the most diverse (Florida is a "hot spot" for biodiversity!). But in general: Ecosystems include living and non-living entities and factors, including hydrology, soils, geology, plants and microorganisms, animal life (reptiles, fish, birds, amphibians, and mammals), human impact, and climatic factors. Generally, we will be exploring river and spring (Rainbow Springs) ecosystems, which are freshwater aquatic systems. However, we will also be near the Gulf (Yankeetown), which would include brackish water (higher levels of salt), in marshes, near or in Withlacoochee Swamp and Green Swamp, in channels (Barge Canal), and in dammed areas and other lake systems (Apopka Lake, Lake Panasoffkee). Alongside the river, we will also pass through a number of terrestrial (forest) ecolsystems, including cypress and hardwood swamp, upland hardwood and pine flatwood forests, cypress domes (pond), palmetto hammocks and landscaped backyards, as well as scrub, sandhills, and mangrove, among others. Specifically, some of these areas are designated as Richloam Wildlife Management Area and Withlacoochee State Forest
Some important factors in Florida ecology in general:
Humans have been modifying the ecology for 10,000 years in largely sustainable ways up until the 20th century. Obviously, our interactions currently are not sustainable, so any talk about Florida ecosystems must now navigate this complex issue, which involves discussions centered on deforestation, wetland drainage, agriculture, and rapid urbanization. Water issues tend to be the focus of Florida ecosystems, and are considered preciously diverse necessities, that are somewhat fragile and susceptible to broad geographical areas and populations. Florida ecosystems are home to a disproportionate amount of species that aren't anywhere else. One interesting ecosystem issue (anywhere, perhaps) is that human impact (since the Europeans came) has been so thorough that it is difficult to discern the specifics of what the natural ecosystems are, since alterations, impacts, and non-native species are such a huge part of the ecosystems we try to isolate and map. Thus, in talking about ecosystems, a large portion of the discussion is on losses, conservation, protection, and restoration. The most controversial part of this, to me, is this last idea of restoration-in other words, further human control over ecosystems to return them to a previous state, one which involves ideas of the "natural," we may not be able to even discern at this point. I think our trip down the river will illustrate this point: humans and their developments are integrated into the ecosystems so thoroughly that it is not possible to know them apart from our presence. Is this painfully obvious? When we think about 'ecosystems,' my impression is that we divide environments from ourselves, the natural from the human, which we talked about with the "Wilderness" essay. When we imagine seeing the thriving river life in the shadow of the nuclear plant, there is a total disconnect, yet how can we even imagine what the river would be without the human 'fingerprints' all over it?
I guess as an ecological departure point for this project, one idea I would suggest is to think about these tensions and contradictions that exist between ideas about the 'natural,' the 'preserved and managed,' and the 'restored.' Yet, I am inclined, despite these contradictions, to emphasize the importance of the Florida ecosystems that are discernible on our trip and discussed everywhere--that there is a rapid decline in quality and diversity, that there are huge repercussions for our impact--and I would say I do respond to a pervasive sense of immediacy and loss associated with both the irresponsible behaviors and sometimes even the mere presence of the human species amidst ecosystems that we seem so different than. So, can we think about these issues along the divide of native and non-native species, both of which have some thriving and some weak, eliminated, or dwindling species...which do we consider ourselves, in terms of social and environmental ecosystems, a native or a non-native in the river ecosystems?
http://webworld.freac.fsu.edu/eco/index.html
Florida ecosystems.
Many of these ecosystems apply to the areas we will be in, but if we are to focus on the water, look at "Freshwater Wetlands and Aquatic Ecosystems;"
focus on rivers and springs.
Includes lists of plants, , topology, vegetation, fauna, abiotic factors, human impacts, as well as images and descriptions of wildlife and plants
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Ecosystems/Swamps/swamps.html
Forest Ecology
deals more with the land ecosystems, many of which we will cross but not explore.
swamp info may be especially relevant
This site also includes wildlife page that lists reptiles, mammals, and birds of the various forest ecosystems
Florida defenders of the environment website on the Withlacoochee River Basin, including more info. on demographics, algae, impact, projects, purposes, statistics, etcetcetc than you want to know...
http://www.fladefenders.org/WRB_links.html (projects, research, etc)
http://www.fladefenders.org/WithlacoocheeRiver.html (River homepg)
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/natplant.html -thorough, great site on FL Water Plant Management
http://www.wgcu.org/fllandscape/plant_directory.asp
Florida Plants, including native and non-natives, separated, described, imaged. A thorough and usable site.
Cross-Florida canal
http://fl.water.usgs.gov/Abstracts/wri_1_73_faulkner.html
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