EconWildernessArea-SiteAnalysis-

The Econ Wilderness Area (EWA) was purchased in 1994 from the Clayton

family for 3.5 million dollars for the purpose of conserving of rare Florida habitat as well

as for public enjoyment and education. This 240-acre plot of land was acquired to

enhance and protect the Econlockhatchee River basin and continue the network of

corridors within the region. Starting in 2009, the Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation

Area (ESCA) set up a land management plan that protects around 2.5 miles of property

on either side of the Econlockhatchee River. These 706 acres, from the ESCA, adds to the

regional effort to protect the Econlockhatchee and St. Johns River floodplains. This

includes the section of the river that runs through the Econ Wilderness Area. The Florida

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission designated this area a Priority 2 Strategic

Habitat Conservation Area; Priority 2 is the second highest designation. The drainage due

to the sandhill habitat makes the Econ Wilderness site a key recharge area for aquifers.

The following scores were ranked using the Seminole County Natural Lands Advisory

Committee Site Priority Ranking Criteria:

Vulnerability Completeness Connectedness Rarity Manageability

Nature-Oriented

Human Use

Potential

4 4 5 4 4 4

1

Vulnerability

Criteria Rating: 4

“Owner likely to sell or develop but action not imminent. No significant regulatory

protection. Located in high growth area. Good development site.” – Seminole County Natural

Lands Advisory Committee Site Ranking Criteria

Figure 1.1 The urban development surrounding the Econ Wilderness Area

This criterion encompasses the possibility of development in the area.

Conservation initiatives can become challenging when sites are valued for economic

growth. For example, at the Econ Wilderness Area, the upland area adjacent to the

Econlockhatchee River is a quality location for development. This property is one of

regional significance and is surrounded by encroaching development. However, the

ecological integrity that this section of the corridor maintains outweighs the benefits of

development. By mapping natural systems this can help communities direct development

away from floodplains to prevent the likelihood of being damaged from flooding.

“Socioeconomic and policy factors are taken into account to assess the economic values

of the forestlands, and similar factors were used to evaluate their vulnerability to

2

development.”1 Sites on privately owned lands are especially vulnerable to development

because often times the economic incentives for preservation are low in comparison to

the other uses for the land. Hence, sites in public ownership have a magnified

importance, since they are less likely to be bought and sold privately, and have protection

from the government along with consistent regulation.2 This is especially true for sites

that are state-owned/controlled, where the basis of management is to provide for land

uses that are minimally destructive of resource values. Due to the close proximity of

residential development and the numerous habitats within the Econ Wilderness Area the

possibility of being a potentially vulnerable area for development is moderately high.

When an area is predominantly a wetland habitat, the potential for development is low

due to the many physical restrictions.

Figure 1.2 Showing the close proximity of the Econ Wilderness Area to residential areas

The Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Areas protects over 706 acres along

the Econlockhatchee River. This is protected in order to preserve both the

1 Green Infrastructure

2 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Managed Lands...

3

Econlockhatchee and St. John’s floodplains, which includes the Econ Wilderness Area.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission designated this area a Priority 2

Strategic Habitat Conservation Area; Priority 2 is the second highest designation. These

properties provide outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, horseback

riding, and nature study.

Figure 1.2 Shows Econ Wilderness Area and Econ Corridor as Priority 2

Completeness

4

Criteria Rating: 4,

“Excellent habitat. Diverse species, communities and successional stages. Practically

all appropriate species except rarities present and thriving. Excellent potential for

reintroduction of most missing species.” – Seminole County Natural Lands Advisory Committee

Site Ranking Criteria

The completeness and condition of an area depends on soil and water quality

along with species populations and diversity. The EWA demonstrates a high level of

completeness as it is home to a diverse array of species and habitats. The site houses

eight different types of habitats that contain elevation-specific flora. Native plant

communities within the site include floodplain forest, bayhead, pine flatwoods, hydric

hammock, mesic hammock, xeric hammock/sandhill and sand pine scrub. The wetlands

of the EWA serve as an important filtration system for the Econ River, which is also a

part of the region’s protected water system.

Floodplain Forest

Species of bald cypress, black gum and

red maple trees form a dense canopy within this

plant community. Plants and animals inhabiting

this area must be adapted to the fluctuating

water levels during the wet season. The water

level can rise up to eight feet when it rains,

which can cause the river to overflow and go

above its banks. The soil in this habitat remains

wet during the low water periods. The plants in

the understory consist of ferns, mosses and shiny lyonia, and are adapted to its shady and

damp conditions. Other plant species found in the floodplain forest community are

cypress, cabbage palm, sweet bay, loblolly bay, sweetgum, red maple, magnolia, willows

and water oak. The water of the black-water creek in this habitat is dark as a result of

tannins leaching into the water and high levels of nutrients from decaying matter.

Bayhead

5

Bayheads serve as a transitional ecotone into pine flatwoods. The bayhead habitat

is a densely forested, wet environment

with peat soil. The canopy consists of

dense populations of sweetbay, red

bay, loblolly bay and pond pines,

while its understory consists of saw

palmetto, ferns, shiny lyonia, wax

myrtle, gallberry, sweetgum and

cypress. The bayhead understory is

also comprised of wax myrtle, along

with wild azalea and buttonbush and its understory contains plant species such as ferns,

cinnamon, royal fern and lizard’s tail.

Pine Flatwoods

Pine Flatwoods include Wet Flatwoods, Mesic Flatwoods, and Scrubby

Flatwoods and are all characterized by scattered pine tree canopies. Wet Flatwoods are

dominated by plant species such as

pond pine, slash pine, sweetbay,

dwarf wax myrtle, gallberry and

saw palmetto. The Mesic

Flatwoods are comprised of similar

plants; longleaf pine, wiregrass,

slash pine, gallberry, saw palmetto,

shiny lyonia, dwarf wax myrtle and

blueberry. The Mesic Flatwoods

are the most common habitat found

in Florida. The same species inhabit Scrubby Flatwoods, along with sand live oak,

chapman’s oak, myrtle oak, scrub oak, wiregrass, rusty lyonia, goldenrod and runner oak.

6

Hydric Hammock

Hydric Hammocks are

typically located between mesic

hammocks and floodplain forests.

Moisture is trapped in the soil by a

combination of sand, clay and organic

material. Species found in this

community are water oak, cabbage

palm, red maple, bays, black gum,

needle palm and mixed hardwoods.

Mesic Hammock

The soil mixture of this plant community is

relatively damp and is a mixture of sand, clay and

organic matter. Plant species that can be found here

are sweetgum, live oak, Florida maple, pignut

hickory, southern magnolia and saw palmetto.

7

Xeric Hammock

The Xeric Hammock is also known as longleaf pine-turkey oak, which displays the

advancing stages of successional

scrub or sandhill. The sandhill

habitat is the most unique amongst

the native plant communities. With

the exception of saw palmetto the

understory does not have many plant

species. The plant species found in

this habitat are sand live oak, turkey

oak, laurel oak, saw palmetto,

bluejack oak, chapman’s oak and wiregrass. The presence of turkey oak in this habitat

indicates a lack of fire within the habitat.

Sand Pine Scrub

The indicator of sand pine scrubs is

its brilliant, white, deep sand that drains

water quickly. This is crucial for aquifer

recharge and a region’s water supply. Plant

species present in this habitat are sand pine,

sand live oak, myrtle oak, chapman’s oak,

saw palmetto, rusty lyonia and ground

lichens.

8

Figure 2.1 Map displaying the natural communities of the EWA

Soil Types (described by the Econ Management Plan):

Myakka/Eau Gallie Fine Sands

These are nearly level, poorly drained sandy soils in broad areas of the flatwoods, in

depressions, and in areas between sand ridges and ponds and sloughs. The water table is

between 1.0 and 3.0 feet below grade during the wet season.

Tavares-Millhopper Fine Sands

These are moderately well drained nearly level to sloping soils that have formed in the

thick beds of sandy and loamy marine sediments. The wet season water table is generally

3.5 to 6.0 feet below grade.

Immokalee Series

These are poorly drained sandy soils occurring on the lower Atlantic and Gulf Coastal

flatwoods and are formed in sandy marine sediments. Normal high-water elevation

occurs from June through November, and ranges from the surface to one foot below.

Pomello

These are moderately well drained sandy soils on low ridges. The high water table

elevation ranges from 2.0 to 3.5 feet below the surface.

Manatee Mucky Fine Sands, Depressional

These are very poorly drained soils occurring in depressions. Normal high-water

9

elevation occurs from June through December and ranges from two feet above to one foot

below the surface.

St. Johns and Eau Gallie Fine Sands

These are nearly level poorly drained soils occurring in broad, low flatwood areas of the

coastal plain. Normal high-water elevation ranges from the surface to one foot below

during the wet season.

Figure 2.2 Map displaying the distribution of soil type in the EWA

Gopher Tortoise

The gopher tortoise (gopherus

polyphemus) is a threatened, keystone

species. The relationship between the

gopher tortoise, its habitat and other

10

dependent species demonstrates the complex interconnectedness of the region. There are

three stages of gopher tortoise holes; active, dormant and abandoned. An average burrow

is 15 feet long and 8 feet deep. These burrows serve as shelter for many animals during

climate extremes and fires, and are also an area with food supply for various species.

“Gopher tortoises share these burrows with more than 350 other species.”3 The organic

and fecal matter, located at the base of the burrow, attract insects, which are then

consumed by frogs, lizards and small mammals, who then fall prey to snakes. The

burrows function as a microhabitat, supporting species diversity and food webs.

Management harvest gopher apple and wire grass throughout the EWA as sources of food

for the gopher tortoise. Regulated fire regimes are crucial to the survival of healthy

gopher tortoise populations. Fire within gopher tortoise habitats maintains suitable living

conditions for feeding and egg incubation. Heavy canopy growth and density prevents

sunlight from reaching the ground and stimulating the growth of grasses important to the

gopher tortoise’s diet.

Figure 2.3 Gopher Tortoise Potential Habitat

3 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

11

Connectedness

Criteria Rating: 5

“Directly contiguous with large areas of natural habitat along extensive boundaries.

Critical situation for interconnecting natural areas or trail systems.” - Seminole County Natural

Lands Advisory Committee Site Ranking Criteria

Connectedness reflects a locations ability to be adjoined by other important areas

of protection, which are crucial to aspects such as diversity, species movement and

ecological processes. The various habitats and water sources throughout the wilderness

area provide a framework for the implementation of green infrastructure that will

encourage recreation, education, restoration and protection. The Econ Wilderness Area

site connects other ecologically important patches throughout the state including: Little

Big Econ State Park, Seminole Ranch Conservation Area, Charles H. Bronson State

Forest, Hal Scott Regional Preserve, and many other patches/hubs (shown in Table 3.1)

“In the face of continued habitat loss and isolation, many landscape ecologists stress the

need from providing landscape connectivity, particularly in the forms of wildlife

movement corridors and stepping stones”4. These passageways join “existing parks,

preserves, or natural areas and provide sufficient space for native plants and animals to

flourish while serving as corridors connecting ecosystems and landscapes.”5 Corridors

can be applied to both terrestrial and aquatic areas as “river and stream floodplains, serve

4 Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning

5 Green Infrastructure

12

as biological conduits for wildlife.”(5) The connectivity of a stream corridor maintains

“aquatic conditions such as cool water temperature and high oxygen content.” (4)

The Econ Wilderness Area, where the Econ River leads to the St. Johns

watershed, demonstrates an example of corridor connectivity. The continuous stream,

provided by preserved waterways, allows the maintenance ecological systems’ health.

The river corridor and wetlands act as “a hydrologic sponge, trap(s) sediment during

floods, and provide(s) soil organic matter for the aquatic food chain, logs for fish habitat,

and habitats for rare floodplain species.” (4)

The Econ Wilderness Area was chosen to be a part of the regions green

infrastructure network for its close proximity to the Econlockhatchee River and its unique

characteristics of habitat within the wilderness area. The Econ Wilderness Area acts as a

stepping-stone for species movement. The proximity of the Econ Wilderness Area to the

river also influenced the decision to make this area a part of the regional natural

wilderness corridor. “The importance of environmental corridors along stream valleys,

arguing that natural corridor planning can play a crucial role in the protection of

wildlife.”6

Table 3.1 Conservation Areas Regionally Significant to Econolatchee Sandhills Conservation Area (ESCA)

6 Green Infrastructure

13

The maintenance of hydrologic regimes is vital to the overall health of the

floodplain and to the downstream systems. Development, pesticide use, clear- cutting

forest, and intensive agriculture can negatively alter species composition and ecosystem

function. By preventing the forests adjacent to the water system from being clear-cut and

limiting the amount of nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban developments will help

preserve this important hydrology. “Better protection of water quality and quantity is a

desired outcome of strategic conservation effort, you would want to include watershed

and water resource features as elements of the green infrastructure network”.(6) The

Econ Wilderness site is vital because it demonstrates stepping stone connectivity for

species movement. Even though the Econ Wilderness Property is a small patch, it

provides movement through these natural corridors. “Many landscape ecologists stress

the need for providing landscape connectivity, particularly in the forms of wildlife

corridors and stepping stones”7

A great example of the importance of these ecological corridors is the movement

of Black Bear throughout Florida.8 The effects of major fragmentation are obvious when

large mammals such as the Black Bear are unable to pass major interstates. This is

magnified with the loss of

small patches that function

as stepping-stones between

larger patches throughout

the state.9

Figure 3.1 Aerial view of EWA in relation to wildlife corridor

7 Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning

8 Effectiveness of a Regional Corridor in Connecting Two Florida Black Bear Populations

9 The Florida Wildlife Corridor & the Importance of the Highlands-Glades Florida Black Bear Subpopulation

14

“The optimal spatial arrangement of a cluster of stepping stones between large patches

provides alternate or redundant routes, while maintaining an overall linearly-oriented

array between large patches”(7) “In Seminole County other corridor zones exist along the

St. John’s and Econlockhatchee rivers providing habitat for bald eagles, white-tailed deer

and many other species of wildlife.”10 Furthermore, stepping stones are often a very

important factor for migrating birds, given the vast population of birdlife throughout

Florida, the preservation of the Econ Wilderness site and its connectivity to other

protected areas is extremely important.

10 Seminole County - Site Evaluation Criteria and Ranking Procedures

15

Figure 3.2 Aerial view of EWA in relation to the wildlife corridor

Figure 3.1 Map highlighting wildlife corridors in Florida, red point signifies Econ Wilderness Area

16

Figure 3.2 Map of Critical linkages throughout Florida, red point signifies Econ Wilderness Area

17

Rarity

Criteria Rating: 4

“Excellent examples of natural communities, some of them scarce. A number of rare

species, but none dependent upon this site for survival. No significant occurrence for a globally

endangered (GI) species or community. Important geological feature, wildlife, archaeological

or historical site. Extensive tract of old growth. One of the best sites of its kind in Seminole

County.” - Seminole County Natural Lands Advisory Committee Site Ranking Criteria

The Econ Wilderness Area contains the most rare habitat in Florida, the Sandhill

habitat. The sandy soils of the Sandhill habitat play an important role in the percolation of

water, which recharge aquifers and supply the region with water. This plant community is

also home to the threatened gopher tortoise that is also a keystone species. Sandhill

habitats are now a rarity due to human activities such as urban development and the

suppression of fire. Due

to the increase in

residential areas and

proximity to natural

areas, residents are weary

of fires close to their

homes. “Eventually the

fire-dependent pines and

other plants will be

crowded out by woody

shrubs and hardwood

trees. The plants and animals of the sandhill system are unable to survive in the thick

understory and are displaced.”11 The fast rate of draining, due to a rise in elevation, is a

desirable real estate quality, which causes this habitat to be vulnerable to development.

11 Sandhill Forests

18

Manageability

Criteria Ranking: 4,

“Excellent examples of natural communities some of them scarce. a number of rare

species, but none dependent upon this site for survival. Several species FNAI ranks 1 or 2 on

state scale. No significant occurrence for a globally endangered (GI) species or community.

Important geological features, wildlife, archaeological or historical site. Extensive tract of old

growth. One of the best sites of its kind in Seminole County.” – Seminole County Natural

Lands Advisory Committee Site Ranking Criteria

In order to maximize the ecological integrity of the Econ Wilderness Area regular

attention to the manageability of the site is required. In particular, prescribed burns and

removal of exotic species. The use of fire to clear out the woody understory will be

determined by the amount of growth. The

location of the EWA is easily accessible for

management activity. All land management

activities should be continued as to protect

the viability of the site.

Restoration on this site has also

included the reintroduction of fire and the

use of some mechanical treatments, such as

roller chopping. Continued habitat

management through roller chopping,

mowing, and burning will provide optimum

habitat for wildlife species. There are surveys that are conducted annually to verify the

existence of various plant and animal species vital to the health of the habitat. Exotic

species such as the air potato, cogongrass, rattlebox, skunkvine, and Brazilian pepper are

common in the Econ Wilderness Area and are spot treated when found. The main goal is

to get all Category 1 exotic species under maintenance control and trap/remove wild hogs

as needed. 12

12 Econ River Wilderness Area Land Management Planhttp://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/ecosystems/sandhills/sandhills_description.pdf

19

Figure 5.1 The Econ Wilderness Area Management Chart13

Fire and Manageability

13 Econ River Wilderness Area Land Management Planhttp://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/parksrec/pdf/EWALMP_2007.pdf

20

Fire is an integral part of the Florida landscape. Prior to European settlement, fires

in Florida burned frequently, most often due to lightning. The combination of these wet

and dry seasons created pyrogenic

flora that has become dependent on

fires. Burning improves wildlife

habitat by promoting the growth of

tender vegetation, which is utilized

by a plethora of animals including

the gopher tortoise.14 Burning opens

the forest by consuming surface litter

and the woody undergrowth, which

has the potential for hazardous,

uncontrollable fire. “Prescribed

burning also reduces the chances of

detrimental wildfires by reducing the

buildup of fuels.” Burning opens up

the forest and helps control

competing vegetation. The Econ

Wilderness Area contain several

natural plant communities that are

fire dependent including sandhill,

mesic flatwood, wet flatwood, bayhead swamp, etc. all of which are located along the

banks of the Econlockhatchee River. Today due to increased urban pressure on

conservation sites, fire must be managed under strict regulations and performed

according to a set criterion. 15

The objective of prescribed burning at Econ Wilderness Area is to create a mosaic

of native plant communities, promote species diversity, and reduce the accumulation of

hardwoods, which act as a hazardous fuel to fire. Prescribed burning on the property was

introduced in 1999 and continues today. The Econ Wilderness Area is divided into 21

14 Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area15Econ River Wilderness Area Land Management Plan

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/parksrec/pdf/EWALMP_2007.pdf

21

burn zones, which are to be burned at regular intervals. Due to the close proximity to

residential areas and urban settings prescribed burns are carefully planned using the south

and west winds to avoid smoke impacts to adjacent residences and roadways.[3]

Figure 5.2 The Econ Wilderness Burn Zone

Map

Sandhill habitat

22

Figure 5.3 Econ Wilderness Area Firelines and Trails

Dominated by widely spaced pine trees with a sparse understory of deciduous

oaks (like the Turkey Oak), and a dense cover of grasses usually wiregrass on rolling hills

of sand. Fire is a dominant and important factor in the ecology of this habitat. The

natural fire frequency should be every 1-4 years to reduce hardwood competition and

perpetuate the pines and grasses. Without frequent fire these sandhill habitats would

slowly become dominated by the hardwood oak species and move towards becoming a

xeric hammock habitat.

Mesic Flatwoods habitat

Characterized by an open canopy forest of pine trees, (such as the slash pine and

longleaf pine) with little to no understory and a dense ground cover of herbs and shrubs,

(such as saw palmetto, wiregrass, and gallberry.) Fire is an important factor in this

habitat. There are several plant and animal species dependent on fire for their continued

existence. Without fire mesic flatwoods would succeed into hardwood forests whose

closed canopy would eliminate the ground cover of herbs and shrubs.

Bayhead Swamp Habitat

Characterized as densely forested, peat-filled seepage depression often at the basis

of sandy slopes. Frequently located at the edges of floodplains or in other flat areas where

high water tables can help maintain soil moisture. Evergreen hardwoods such as the

sweetbay and loblolly dominate the canopy, and the understory is composed of shrubs

and ferns. Due to the high moisture content of this habitat the fire interval is very long

between 50-100 years. After the fire the bay trees will resprout from the roots and replace

themselves. A high intensity fire has the ability to change the bayhead swamp into drier

habitat.

Hydric Flatwood Habitat

Characterized by a relatively open canopy forest of scatter pine trees, pond pine

23

and slash pine, or cabbage palms, and a thick understory with very sparse groundcover.

Fire is an important factor in the development of Hydric Flatwoods. Nearly all plants and

animals in this habitat are adapted to the periodic fires, every 3-10 years; several species

depend on fire for their survival. In the absence of fire, this habitat becomes overrun by

hardwood species creating a closed canopy, which in turn eliminates groundcover.

Figure 5.4 Burn Chart for frequency of fires

Exotic and Native Species Manageability

There are a number of exotic species that occur on site, including the air potato,

cogongrass, rattlebox, feral hog, Cuban brown anole, nine-banded armadillo, Cuban

treefrog, etc. The State of Florida spends millions every year trying to control invasive

species. “Since the impacts of invasive exotic species have both an environmental and

economic impact, a non-governmental organization called the Florida Exotic Pest Plan

Council was formed.” [4] This organization provides a list of Florida’s invasive exotic

species. The list is divided into two categories: Category 1 species, which includes

species that alter the native plant species by displacing native species and Category 2

species, which include those who have increased in abundance and frequency but have

not yet altered native plant communities. The Econ Wilderness Area has exotic species

from both categories. There are ongoing treatments to control exotic species and there is

an exotic species management plan in place, where the status of exotic animals will be

developed over the next few years.

In 2006, a new Natural Lands Program Monitoring Plan was developed[5] In that

plan, monitoring at the Econ Wilderness Area would now include gopher tortoise

24

marking, photo points, plant transects, and small mammal trapping; Exotic treatment

would also be monitored by photo points. Due to their importance in the Econ Wilderness

Area, gopher tortoise populations are monitored thoroughly through a volunteer program.

The data collected from these monitoring’s allow staff to estimate the gopher tortoise

population on each property. When exotic animal species are found on the property they

are removed with the appropriate outlets. Seminole County has contracted two agencies

that specialize in the removal of nuisance feral hogs. Also, when feral cats or dogs are

found on site, they are captured and turned over to the Seminole County Animal Services.

Figure 5.5 Feral hog rooting area

Forest Management

Florida Statutes require public agencies to evaluate lands they manage for timber

production. Planting of upland forest species may be a component of future upland

restoration projects but as of this time, there are no plans to conduct any forestry related

activity within the Econ Wilderness Area.

Nature-Oriented Human Use Potential

Criteria Ranking: 4,

25

“Good for several types of passive recreation. Scenic. Suitable for nature trails and/or

environmental center. Valuable site for scientific research. Special enough to be a popular

regional passive recreation destination.” - Seminole County Natural Lands Advisory Committee

Site Ranking Criteria

Figure 6.1 Map highlighting recreational trails throughout the EWA

This map highlights the recreation trail system within the site, which extends

through mesic, xeric and hydric habitats. Recreational activities exercised in this area can

range from hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife viewing. With its close

proximity to urban areas it is easily accessible to the general public. The site also

provides educational opportunities by serving as an outdoor classroom/laboratory for

students and researchers, who can utilize the well-maintained site, which houses a diverse

array of habitats, plants and animal species. Throughout the site there are also

informative signs for visitors, where they are educated on the plant species in the area,

descriptions of the various plant communities and maintenance methods practiced in the

EWA.

26

Figure 6.2 Map showing recreational areas in EWA

Rollins College’s Environmental Studies students learning about native plant species in an outdoor classroom setting.

27

Bibliography

● Econ River Wilderness Area: Land Management Plan (2010) :

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/parksrec/pdf/EWALMP_2007.pdf

● Econlockhatchee Sandhills Conservation Area (2009):

http://www.sjrwmd.com/landmanagementplans/pdfs/2009_Econlockhatchee_Sandhills.pdf

● Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (2006-2016) :

http://myfwc.com/media/132374/CMP_Salt_Lake_2006_2016.pdf,

http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/

● Florida Department of Environmental Protection (2010):

http://www.sjrwmd.com/landmanagementplans/pdfs/2011_Charles_H_Bronson_SF.pdf

● Florida Designated Paddling Trails: Econlockhatchee River:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/designated_paddle/Econlock_guide.pdf

● Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida (2010):

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/planning/forms/FNAIDescriptions.pdf

● Effectiveness of a Region Corridor in Connecting Florida Black Bear Populations:

http://people.sc.fsu.edu/~pbeerli/BSC3052/restricted/papers/Dixon-et-al-2006.pdf

● The Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Importance of the Highlands-Glades Florida Black Bear

Subpopulation: http://conservation.dcp.ufl.edu/FWC%20Intro%20and%20Highlands_Glades

%20Bears%20document.pdf

● Florida Wildlife Corridors: http://floridawildlifecorridor.org/maps/,

http://floridawildlifecorridor.org/econ-to-deep-creek/

● Sandhill Forests:

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/ecosystems/sandhills/sandhills_description.pdf

● Dramstad, W., Olson, J., & Forman, R. (1996). Landscape ecology principles in landscape

architecture and land-use planning. Cambridge? Mass.: Harvard University Graduate School of

Design

● Benedict, M., & McMahon, E. (2006). Green infrastructure linking landscapes and communities.

Washington, DC: Island Press.

28