Hydric Hammock
There are about 681 acres of hydric hammock currently mapped at the park, incorporating a fine mosaic of smaller, unmapped communities such as mesic hammock. Hydric hammocks are known for having limestone at or within a meter of the surface, and the variable surface topography and the numerous near-circular karst depressions in the main hammock of the park
attest to the influence of limestone in shaping this community. This freshwater forested wetland is characterized by a closed canopy of evergreen hardwood and palm trees, with a variable understory dominated by palms, and with sparse to moderate ground cover of grasses and ferns. Soils will be poorly drained but only occasionally flooded. Typical canopy species includes laurel oak, cabbage palm, live oak, red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), sweetbay, swamp tupelo, American elm (Ulmus americana), red maple and other hydrophytic tree species. Healthy hydric hammocks are occasionally burned, usually by allowing fires originating in adjacent upland natural communities to burn across ecotones and into the hammock.
THIS CACHE IS LOCATED WITHIN HIGHLANDS HAMMOCK STATE PARK. THE PARK IS OPEN FROM 8AM TIL SUNSET, 365/6 DAYS A YEAR, INCLUDING ALL HOLIDAYS. THERE IS A FEE TO ENTER THE PARK.