Terrestrial Vegetation at KSC
 Terrestrial vegetation on KSC is comprised of both upland and wetland
communities. KSC flora contains plants of northern (temperate)
distribution as well as species of tropical and sub tropical
distribution. Introduced species occur around old homesites, past and
present agricultural areas and areas affected by construction.
Distribution of the natural communities is influenced by major
environmental factors including soil type, presence of salt spray near
the ocean and elevation which influences the occurrence and duration of
standing water. Wetland vegetation types also differ with the salinity
of the water and the soil. Fire is an important factor in many upland
and marsh communities. Human activities have also modified or influenced
the vegetation patterns.
 The wetlands of KSC consist of salt-, fresh-, and brackish- water marshes in addition hardwood swamps consisting of willows, red maple, cabbage palms and red bays. Currently, KSC has classified the freshwater marshes as graminoid marshes which may include the following species; Spartina bakeri (sand cordgrass), Cladium jamiensis, Juncus rosmerianus (black rush), and Typha domingensis and T. latifolia (cattail). Of these vegetative types, cattail is
believed to be confidently distinguished from the
remaining types. For those other types, too much uncertainty exist to classify these types into their own separate classes and therefore have been grouped together as graminoids. Many of the graminoid marshes occur as ephemeral swales which are positioned between old relict dunes. Many cattail marshes are typically associated with the mosquito impoundment or in freshwater marshes where anthropogenic activities has altered the natural system.
Saltwater marshes at KSC are non-tidal and typically higher marshes that remain unflooded for most of the year with the exception of isolated ponds and creeks. Most of the saltwater marshes are impounded and are typically composed of Spartina bakeri (sand cordgrass), Juncus roemerianus (black rush), Distichlis spicata (salt grass), and other salt tolerant grasses. Spartina alterniflora (Spartina) which approaches its southern limits in the vicinity of KSC is only a small component in these marshes but in recent years seems to have become a more obvious species. Many of the saltwater marshes were invaded by Avicennia germinans (black mangrove) and Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove), especially along the earthen dikes built during the impoundment program of the 1950's. Mangrove is also common along shorelines at KSC.
Upland vegetated areas on KSC include oak and saw palmetto scrub, slash pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. Pure oak scrub often occurs in the best drained soils which are typically inland sites, whereas saw palmetto scrub becomes more dominant on sites that are less well drained. Historically, these two scrub areas have been mapped as a single unit due to the difficulties in discrimination between them using aerial photography. Slash pine flatwoods occur in the central portion of Merritt Island and can have either open or dense canopy. The undergrowth is dominated by oaks, saw palmetto, and herbaceous vegetation. Hammocks are closed forests with a typically higher canopy than surrounding scrub vegetation and are dominated by evergreens (oaks). Cabbage Palm hammocks are dominated by a canopy of Sabal palmetto (Cabbage palm) and may or may not have an undergrowth of saw palmetto.
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Last Modified: Mon June 14, 1999
CSR/TSGC Team Web
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