Vegetation

Vegetation

            The most common vegetation’s in this park are pine trees and oak which are characterized by thick palmetto undergrowth. Having a walk along the park you notice some large number of cypress trees which acts as an indication of presence of submergent plants. The soil near those cypress trees indicates that the park is a wetland since it contains organic matter like leaves. Below are some images to support the evidence of a wide variety of vegetation at the park. There is also a large coverage of emergent vegetation in this park as well as hydrophytes which are mostly at the wetland. Basically, the emergent category is for the plants that stem above as well as below the surface of the water

Hydrophytes vegetation in this park basically thrives in the wet areas and also where soils are saturated. The presence of this vegetation in this park can be associated with the park having such conditions. Mainly, the hydrophytes which are present in Lettuce Lake Park are mangroves, under the class of woody trees. There are also pickerel weeds and the Pennyworth that can be associated with the emergent species. The main hydrophyte among the submergent species which still exists is the coontail, characterized by forming dense colonies.

Pickerel weed as shown above in (1b) is native to Florida and its typical height is about 2-3 feet. They usually have a heart-shaped leaves and distinctive spikes with purplish flowers. The pennyworth which is represented as (1c) above is also an important habitation for macroinvertebrates. It is characterized by its ability to spread easily across moist soils and can also form dense mat at the surface of the water’s.

Floating colonies which were observable were the water lettuce, the duckweed and water hyacinth. The wetland therefore can be said to have met the wetland conditions by having a plenty of hydrophytes. Vegetation assemblage in this park is therefore indicative of a wetland area and depictive of water presence in most of summer/spring seasons. The water lettuce which has been denoted by (1c) above is non-native in Florida and a floating plant commonly forming large infestations on the surface of water. These infestations usually deter fishermen and boaters. Water hyacinth which has been denoted by (1f) above is also under the category of non-native plant in wetland and that limits its growth. Commonly, this plant grows to a height of 3 feet only.

Based on my observations in Lettuce Lake Park, I stand to conclude that the park does not meet wetland criteria, which should have an abundance of hydrophytes.

Water

Hydrological indicators in this park show mushy, soft and waterlogged grounds. Water marks were also observable especially on trees and drift lines which were oriented towards the water movement directions near the trees. Mud cracks were also visible in the low lying places. The presence of such water made me to easily discern that the soil was fully inundated with water. Lettuce Lake makes a part of Hillsborough River, and which records a constant water flow throughout the year as shown below

The shallow water of the wetland affects both the physiochemical and biota environment of the wetland. This lake is a wetland and most likely partially flooded. The watery condition results to a unique assemblage of vegetation with the ecosystem functions being enhanced by the flow conditions. Presence of Pneumatophores clearly indicates clearly that the levels of water go up to certain high points. The snapshot on (2b) below affirms the assumption by showing a buttressed trunk of a tree which is in response to flooded condition at the tree base.

The water marks which are evident on trees indicate a wetland condition. This is because after floods the trees are likely to be left with marks as shown in the snapshot (2c) above

Based on such observations, I stand to conclude that the wetland meets the wetland hydrology criteria. This is in consideration to the three basic features of a wetland, shallow waters, hydrophytes and hydric soils. Lettuce Lake Park has clearly shown all the three characteristics.

Work cited

Hopkinson, Chris, et al. “Vegetation class dependent errors in lidar ground elevation and canopy height estimates in a boreal wetland environment.” Canadian Journal of Remote           Sensing31.2 (2015): 191-206.

Page, Cheryl A., et al. “Behavior of a chemically dispersed oil in a wetland environment.” Water   Research 36.15 (2012): 3821-3833.

Bingham, Andrea M., et al. “Field investigations of winter transmission of eastern equine encephalitis virus in Florida.” The American journal of tropical medicine and       hygiene 91.4 (2014): 685-693.

Cerulean, Susan, and Ann Morrow. Florida wildlife viewing guide. Falcon Guides, 2014.

Punzo, Fred. “Dietary overlap and activity patterns in sympatric populations of Scaphiopus           holbrooki (Pelobatidae) and Bufo terrestris (Bufonidae).” Florida Scientist (2012): 38-44.