Proposed Classification for Biological Assessment 

of Florida Inland Freshwater Wetlands 

Report to: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection 

Contract No. WM68 

(Development of a Biological Approach for Assessing Wetland Function and Integrity) 

by 

S.J. Doherty, C.R. Lane, M.T. Brown 

Center for Wetlands 

PO Box 116350 

University of Florida 

Gainesville, FL 32611 

May 2000 
This project and the preparation of this report were funded in part by a Section 104(b)(3) Water 

Quality Improvement grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through a contract 

with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Table of Contents 

List of Tables............................................................................................... iii 

Wetland Classification – Background................................................................... 1 

Florida Natural Areas Inventory.......................................................................... 3 

Soil Conservation Service.................................................................... ............. 3 

Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms Classification System........................................... 5 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.................................. ................ 6 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – National Wetlands Inventory....................................... 7 

Other Classification Systems...............................................................................11 

Ecosystems of Florida (Myer and Ewel 1990).................................. ................11 

The Nature Conservancy.......................................................... ................11 

Lake County Water Authority/Seminole County.............................. .................11 

Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification............................................... ................12 

Classification Crosswalks...................................................................................14 

Proposed Wetland Classification Approach for Biological Assessment.............................15 

Literature Cited..............................................................................................32 

ii
List of Tables 

Table 1. General characteristics for 3 broad categories of inland freshwater 

wetlands in Florida........................................................... ............. 2 

Table 2 FNAI inland freshwater wetland communities and synonymy..... ................. 4 

Table 3. SCS inland freshwater wetland communities......................................... 5 

Table 4. FLUCCS inland freshwater wetland codes and nomenclature...................... 6 

Table 5. FWC inland freshwater wetland habitats and percent statewide 

areas.......................................................................................... 7 

Table 6. NWI hierarchy of selected inland freshwater wetland types 

represented in Florida.................................................................... 8 

Table 7. Water regime modifiers describing NWI wetland and deepwater 

habitats...................................................................................... 9 

Table 8. Percent Statewide area for NWI inland freshwater wetland 

 systems......................................................................... ............10 

Table 9. HGM (hydrogeomorphology) determinants of wetland function..... .............13 

Table 10. HGM Peninsular Florida Depression wetland class comparison... ................14 

Table 11. Classification cross-reference of FNAI inland freshwater wetland 

communities.................................................................. .............16 

Table 12. Classification cross-reference of SCS inland freshwater wetland 

communities.................................................................. .............17 

Table 13. Classification cross-reference of FLUCCS inland freshwater 

wetland classes.............................................................. ..............18 

Table 14. Classification cross-reference of FWC inland freshwater wetland 

habitats.......................................................................................19 

Table 15. Classification cross-reference of NWI inland freshwater wetland 

systems...................................................................... ................20 

iii
Table 16. Classification crosswalk summaries (total and average number of 

repeat references)..............................................................................21 

Table 17. FNAI crosswalk summary..........................................................................23 

Table 18. SCS crosswalk summary............................................................................24 

Table 19. FLUCCS crosswalk summary........................................... .................25 

Table 20. FWC crosswalk summary.................................................................26 

Table 21. NWI crosswalk summary............................................... ..................27 

Table 22. Proposed classification for biological assessment of Florida 

inland freshwater wetlands................................................................28 

Table 23. Classification cross-reference of proposed wetland 

bioassessment classes in Florida....................................... ..................30 

iv
Wetland Classification 

Successful biological monitoring depends on judicious classification: selection of too few 

classes may overlook important characteristics; too many may unnecessarily complicate 

development of biocriteria (Karr and Chu 1999). Classifications are used to describe and 

organize ecosystems and land cover into distinct categories useful to land managers, planners 

and scientists, according to specific agency goals. The goal of classification for biological 

assessment is to group ecosystems with similar biological attributes and biological response 

to human disturbance. Because biological assessments measure ecosystem health relative to 

reference conditions, classification must distinguish local environments and address regional 

variability. 

Geography, landscape position, geomorphology, hydropattern, climate, physical/chemical 

variables, and biogeographic processes determine the structure and function of local 

ecosystems. Aspects of these driving forces are incorporated in most hierarchical 

classification systems, while others are based on plant community structure and species 

composition. Regardless of the number or resolution of classes, at all levels of classification 

there is overlap because of common species distributions and intergrading physical 

environmental conditions. 

Several classification schemes have been developed to describe Florida's inland freshwater 

wetlands (Wharton et al. 1977, Cowardin et al 1979, FDOT 1979/1985, SCS 1981, Ewel and 

Kushlan 1990, FDNR 1988, FNAI 1990, Brinson 1993, Trott et al 1997, TNC 1997). 

Descriptions of each are given below, followed by crosswalk comparisons between 

classifications. Although there is considerable overlap between key characteristics and 

wetland classes, each classification is goal specific. A common approach orders Florida’s 

inland freshwater wetlands into three broad groups (Table 1): wetlands associated with 

flowing water; wetlands adjacent to ponds and lakes; and depressional or stillwater wetlands. 

General descriptions, review of plant community associations, and cross-reference of State 

classifications provide foundations for the development of wetland bioassessment classes. 

Here a proposed classification for biological assessment of Florida inland freshwater 

wetlands is described. It is a tiered approach using broad landscape categories (River,

Depression, Lake, Strand, Seepage and Flatland) subdivided into forested and non-forested 

classes. Proposed wetland ecoregions partition the State and further specify wetland classes. 

Modifiers (hydropattern, water source, and soil type) lend additional resolution. 

Classification approaches to Florida wetlands are described, and five prominent systems are 

cross-referenced to generate a framework for common nomenclature and to utilize the best 

components of existing systems. The proposed classification uses aspects of HGM and FNAI 

classification structure. Twelve proposed classes are then compared with other descriptions 

for inland freshwater wetlands to provide cross-reference with other classifications used in 

Florida. Classification crosswalks are provided in an HTML format for additional utility. 

1 
Table 1. Comparisons, general characteristics and plant community associations compared for 3 broad categories of inla

wetlands: a) flowing water, b) lake fringe and c) basin, depression wetland types (adapted from Erwin, Doherty

General Type Abstracted from

Ecosystems of Florida 

FNAI / FDNR FLUCFCS Other Synonyms Genera

Flowing waterwetlands 

River (stream) swamps; blackwater floodplain forest 

Bottomland forest,floodplain forest,blackwater stream,seepage stream, strand, slough 

615 stream and lake swamps; 616 inland ponds and sloughs; 617 mixed wetland hardwoods; 630 wetland forested mixed 

Swamp forest, swamphardwoods, bottomland hardwoods, backwaterswamps 

Forested wetlands within generally consist of a widcypress, blackgum, ash, ecabbage palm, sweet gum

Lake fringe wetlands 

Lake fringe swamps River floodplain lake,

swamp lake 

615 stream and lake swamps Lake fringe swamp, lake 

fringe forest 

Forested wetlands on frincypress, blackgum, ash, ecabbage palm, sweet gumsuch as cypress, blackgutransitional species comminterface. 

Lake fringe marshes Flatwood/prairie/marsh any 640-series freshwater

wetlands, especially 641 freshwater marshes and 644 emergent aquatic vegetation 

Lake marsh, lake fringe marsh, lake littoral zone 

Herbaceous emergent ve(rushes, bulrushes, beak fringing lake border withblue maidencane, sedges

Stillwater, basin or depression wetlands 

Cypress ponds/cypress strands, cypress/gumswamps 

Cypress dome or basin swamp, gum swamp,cypress/gum slough,swale or strand 

621 cypress; 613 gumswamps; 624 cypress-pinecabbage palm

Cypress swamp, cypress gum swamp, cypress-gumbay swamp 

Cypress and gum swampand species composition driven primarily by slighhydropattern. Dominant loblolly bay, dahoon holl

Bay swamps Baygall 611 bay swamps Seepage swamps,

bayheads, sandhill bog 

Bay swamps are generallsweet magnolia and mapmaple, with cypress and 

Mixed hardwood swamps Bottomland forest 617 mixed wetland 

hardwoods; 630 wetland forested mixed 

Swamp forest, wetland hardwood hammocks,freshwater swamp forest 

Forested wetlands compohardwoods with varying conditions. Common specypress, black gum, swee

Flatwoods/depression marshes

Wet flatwoods, wet prairie, depression marsh

Any 640 series freshwaterwetlands, especially 641 freshwater marshes; 643 wet prairie; 644 emergent aquatic vegetation 

Hydric flatwood marshes,pine savannahs, marshes,herbaceous wetlands,freshwater marshes 

Several common types oAlthough most have a mispecies generally dominaarrowhead, arrowroot, necattail).

2 
Florida Natural Areas Inventory - Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida 

Eighty-one natural communities in Florida are described and classified as Terrestrial, 

Palustrine, Lacustrine, Riverine, Subterranean, or Marine/Estuarine. Natural communities 

are defined as distinct and reoccurring assemblages of populations of plants, animals, fungi 

and microorganisms naturally associated with each other and their physical environment. 

This classification/inventory is unique in that it describes pristine natural communities 

without human intervention, providing information on reference condition. For each Natural 

Community Type brief descriptions of characteristic flora and fauna, physical setting, soil 

types, hydropattern, fire frequency, associated communities, and development impact are 

given. Synonyms and comparisons with other vegetation classifications are also reported. 

Inland freshwater wetlands are generally classified within the Palustrine Group (Table 2), 

although 2 Lacustrine types (third level) may be interpreted as wetland 

(Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake and River Floodplain/Swamp Lake). FNAI defines palustrine 

natural communities as freshwater wetlands dominated by plants adapted to anaerobic 

substrate conditions imposed by substrate saturation or inundation during at least 10% of the 

growing season. Nineteen wetland types in 4 categories (Wet Flatlands, Seepage Wetlands, 

Floodplain Wetlands, Basin Wetlands) are classified within the Palustrine Group. 

Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Twenty-six vegetative communities are identified from soil series and field studies. Aquatic 

communities are not included. Ecological communities are described as mature (late 

successional) and pristine ecosystems. Community specific information includes: 1) 

Occurrence, 2) Description (typical soil, vegetation, wildlife), 3) Land-use Interpretation 

(utility as natural land, rangeland, woodland, urban), and 4) Endangered and Threatened 

Flora and Fauna. Distribution maps identify locations for each community type within 

Florida. 

The report also correlates ecological communities with soil series. Matrices identifying plant 

species occurrence within climatic zones (North, Central, South, and South Tropical) indicate 

the species status for each of the 26 ecological community types as either Characterizing 

(typical or indicative) or Occurring (present). Introduced species are noted. Plant species 

include: 129 grasses; 41 grass-like sedges and rushes; 127 trees; 470 herbaceous species; 89 

vines; and 242 shrubs. From this database, plant species occurrence can be cross-referenced 

with soils series, climatic zones and ecological community types. Eleven SCS ecological 

communities are classified as wetland (Table 3). 

3 
Table 2. Florida Natural Areas Inventory inland freshwater wetland communities and synonymy

(FNAI 1990).

Palustrine 

Wet Flatlands

 Hydric Hammock (synonyms: wetland hardwood hammock, wet hammock) 

 Marl Prairie (synonyms: scrub cypress, marl flat, dwarf cypress savanna, sedge flat, 

spikerush marsh) 

 Wet Flatwoods (synonyms: low flatwoods, moist pine barren, hydric flatwoods, pond-pine 

flatwoods, pocosin, cabbage palm/pine savanna/flatwoods) 

 Wet Prairie (synonyms: sand marsh, savanna, coastal savanna, coastal prairie, pitcher plant 

prairie) 

Seepage Wetlands

 Baygall (synonyms: seepage swamp, bayhead, bay swamp) 

 Seepage Slope (synonyms: herb bog, pitcher plant bog, grass-sedge bog, shrub bog, seep) 

Floodplain Wetlands

 Bottomland Forest (synonyms: bottomland hardwoods, river/stream bottom, lowland 

hardwood forest, mesic hammock) 

 Floodplain Forest (synonyms: bottomland hardwoods, seasonally flooded basins/flats, oakgum-cypress, river terrace)

 Floodplain Marsh (synonyms: river marsh) 

 Floodplain Swamp (synonyms: river swamp, bottomland hardwoods, seasonally flooded 

basins/flats, oak-gum-cypress, cypress-tupelo, slough, oxbow, backwater swamp) 

 Freshwater Tidal Swamp (synonyms: tidewater swamp, rivermouth swamp, sweetbay

swamp, tupelo-redbay)

 Slough 

 Strand Swamp (synonyms: cypress strand) 

 Swale (synonyms: slough, river of grass, glades) 

Basin Wetlands

 Basin Marsh (synonyms: prairie, freshwater marsh)

 Basin Swamp (synonyms: gum swamp, bay, bayhead, swamp) 

 Bog (synonyms: bog swamp, pocosins, evergreen shrub bogs, wet scrub/shrub, peat islands) 

 Depression Marsh (synonyms: isolated wetland, flatwoods pond, St. John’s wort pond, 

pineland depression, ephemeral pond, seasonal marsh) 

 Dome Swamp (synonyms: isolated wetland, cypress dome/pond, gum pond, bayhead, 

cypress gall) 

Lacustrine 

 Flatwoods / Prairie / Marsh Lake (synonyms: flatwoods pond, ephemeral pond, grass pond, 

St. John’s wort pond, pineland depression, swale, prairie pond) 

 River Floodplain Lake and Swamp Lake (synonyms: cypress pond, gum pond, backwater 

pond, blackwater pond) 

4 
Table 3. Soil Conservation Service (1981) classification of inland freshwater wetland 

communities. 

10 - Cutthroat Seeps 

12 - Wetland Hardwood Hammocks

16 - Scrub Cypress 

17 - Cypress Swamp 

20 - Bottomland Hardwoods 

21 - Swamp Hardwoods 

22 - Shrub Bogs - Bay Swamps 

23 - Pitcher Plant Bogs 

24 – Sawgrass Marsh 

25 - Freshwater Marsh 

26 - Slough 

1 Flatwood categories (6-South, 7-North, and 8-Cabbage Palm) may also include wetland 

communities dependent upon soil type, elevation, proximity to water table, or wetland 

definition. 

Florida Department of Transportation - Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms 

Classification System 

FLUCCS was developed in 1976 (and modified in 1985) by the Thematic Mapping Section 

of FDOT to provide a uniform and flexible classification system for use by State agencies. Its 

model was the US Geological Survey classification system (USGS Circular 671). Classes 

reflect information obtainable from aerial photographic interpretation and satellite 

multispectral image analysis. There are 4 hierarchical levels, based on photography scale and 

image resolution (Level 1 scale 1:500,000 or greater; Level IV scale 1:24,000 or less). 

Wetlands (Level I - code 600) are considered areas where the water table is at, near or above 

the land surface for a significant portion of most years supporting aquatic or hydrophytic 

vegetation. Twenty-two inland freshwater wetland communities (Level III) are presently 

described within 5 classes (Level II): 610 Wetland Hardwood Forests; 620 Wetland 

Coniferous Forest; 630 Wetland Forest Mixed (Scrub); 640 Vegetated Non-Forested 

Wetlands; and 650 Intermittent Ponds (Table 4). Level IV classifications are indicated for 

freshwater marshes (641) if 66% or more of the community is comprised of a single species 

(sawgrass, cattail, spike rush, maidencane, dog fennel/low marsh grasses, arrowroot, giant 

cutgrass, shrub/vine). Brief community descriptions provide typical plant species and limited 

density estimates – information used in interpretation and analysis of aerial photography and 

multi-spectral imaging. Information on wetland geomorphology, hydroperiod, soils, or 

landscape associations is not included. 

5 
Table 4. Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms classification of inland freshwater wetlands (FDOT 

1976/1985). 

610 - Wetland Hardwood Forests 

611 - Bay Swamps 

613 - Gum Swamps 

614 - Titi Swamps 

615 - Stream and Lake Swamps (Bottomland) 

616 - Inland Ponds and Sloughs 

617 - Mixed Wetland Hardwoods 

618 - Willow and Elderberry

619 - Exotic Wetland Hardwood 

620 - Wetland Coniferous Forests 

 621 - Cypress 

622 - Pond Pine 

623 - Atlantic White Cedar 

624 - Cypress - Pine - Cabbage Palm

625 - Hydric Pine Flatwoods 

626 - Hydric Pine Savanna 

627 - Slash Pine Swamp Forest 

630 - Wetland Forested Mixed 

631 - Wetland Scrub 

640 - Vegetated Non-Forested Wetlands 

641 - Freshwater Marshes 

643 - Wet Prairies 

644 -Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 

645 - Submergent Aquatic Vegetation 

646 - Treeless Hydric Savanna 

653 - Intermittent Ponds

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – Florida Land Cover 

Formerly the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission, FWC developed a 

classification for a Statewide land-cover map developed from Landsat Thematic Mapper data 

(Kautz et al 1993). Twenty-two land-cover types were identified and mapped for Florida 

(35% vegetated uplands, 24% wetlands, 42% disturbed). Inland freshwater wetland habitats 

were classed into 6 land-cover types: Freshwater Marsh/Wet Prairie, Cypress Swamp, 

Hardwood Swamp, Bay Swamp, Shrub Swamp, and Bottomland Hardwood Swamp (Table 

5). Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie, occurring mostly in South Florida, were the most 

abundant wetland vegetation type (38% of wetlands, 7% State land area). Bay Swamp was 

difficult to distinguish from Hardwood Swamp. Some “natural” community/land-cover types 

may be interpreted as disturbed land-cover types and vice-versa. Cox et al (1994) provide 

brief wetland plant community descriptions and tabulations of area cover for wetland types 

by county. 

6 
Table 5. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission habitat-community classifications 

and percent areas for Florida inland freshwater wetland types. 

habitat 

code 

wetand habitat / 

community type 

% wetland 

area 

% State 

area 

11 Freshwater marsh and wet prairie 38.17 6.88 

12 Cypress swamp 22.57 4.07

13 Hardwood swamp 26.63 4.80

14 Bay swamp 2.22 0.40

15 Shrub swamp 9.01 1.62

17 Bottomland hardwoods 1.40 0.25

% totals 100.00 18.03

 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – National Wetlands Inventory 

This classification for wetland and deepwater habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al 

1979) defines wetlands by plants (hydrophytes), soils (hydric soils) and frequency of 

flooding. It is hierarchical (Table 6), with the highest level, System, defining general hydrogeomorphic or chemical factors (wetland systems include Riverine, Lacustrine, Palustrine). 

Subsystems define landscape position (Riverine has 3 – Lower/Upper Perennial and 

Intermittent; Lacustrine has 2 – Limnetic and Littoral; Palustrine has no subsystem). Within 

Subsystems, Classes identify substrate, flooding regime (hydropattern), or vegetation form. 

Florida wetland NWI classes are: Aquatic Bed (dominated by submergent and floating 

vegetation); Emergent (dominated by emergent herbaceous angiosperms), Scrub-Shrub 

(dominated by shrubs and small trees); and Forested (tree dominated). Subclass partitions are 

based on vegetation life form (rooted/floating vascular plants; persistent/non-persistent

plants; deciduous/evergreen; needle-leaved/broad-leaved). Only Palustrine Forested classes 

in Florida have subclasses. The lowest level classification category, subordinate to Subclass, 

is the Dominance type, defined by dominant plant species and determined by percent area 

cover. 

Palustrine systems include all nontidal wetlands (salinity below 0.5 ppt) dominated by trees, 

shrubs, or persistent emergents or nonvegetated systems less than 8 ha or a low water depth 

not exceeding 2m. Representative of the majority wetland types, the Palustrine system

includes wetlands situated shoreward of lakes and river channels, on floodplains, in isolated 

catchments, or on slopes. Wetlands classified within Riverine and Lacustrine systems only 

include open water classes of Aquatic Bed and Emergent non-persistent vegetation. 

Several modifiers are used to more fully describe wetlands and deepwater habitats: Water 

Regime, Water Chemistry, Soil, and Human Actions. The water regime modifiers have 

specific utility for wetland characterization, describing the depth, duration and frequency in 

7 
Table 6. USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (Cowardin et al 1979) hierarchy of selected inland 

freshwater wetland types represented in Florida (System, Subsystem, Class, Subclass, 

Dominance Type). 

R – Riverine 

w/in channel habitats; 

Bounded by uplands or wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs or persistent emergents vegetation. 

2 – Lower Perennial 

AB – Aquatic Bed 

EM – Emergent Marsh (non-persistent) 

3 – Upper Perennial 

AB – Aquatic Bed 

L – Lacustrine 

Bounded by upland or wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs or persistent emergent vegetation. 

(wetland vegetation < 30% coverage) 

1 – Limetic -- > 2 m depth at low water 

2 – Littoral -- < 2 m depth at low water; all wetlands in Lacustrine System

AB – Aquatic Bed 

EM – Emergent Marsh (non-persistent) 

P – Palustrine 

Non-tidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergent vegetation. 

AB – Aquatic Bed 

EM – Emergent Marsh 

SS – Scrub Shrub 

FO – Forested 

1 – Broad-Leaved Deciduous 

2 – Needle-Leaved Deciduous 

3 – Broad-Leaved Evergreen 

4 – Needle-Leaved Evergreen 

 6 – Deciduous 

 7 – Evergreen

inundation (i.e., hydropattern or hydroperiod). Seven hydroperiods are defined (Table 7), 

ordered generally from less to more water: Intermittently Flooded, Temporarily Flooded, 

Saturated, Seasonally Flooded, Semipermanently Flooded, Intermittently Exposed, 

Permanently Flooded. 

The National Wetlands Inventory geographic information database using this classification is 

available for Florida. Maps were prepared from high altitude aerial photographs and digitally 

transformed. Wetlands were identified based on vegetation, visible hydrology and geographic 

location. NWI maps reflect the specific year and season of the photography, as well as 

interpreter skills and technology limits, affecting the accuracy of wetland locations, 

boundaries and classifications. 

8 
Table 7. National Wetland Inventory water regime modifiers used in classification and mapping of 

Florida wetland and deepwater habitats (i.e., hydroperiod) (Cowardin et al 1979). 

A Temporarily Flooded – surface water present for brief periods during growing season, but water 

table usually lies well below soil surface. 

B Saturated – substrate saturated at or near surface during growing season, but surface water is 

seldom present. 

C Seasonally Flooded – surface water present for extended periods, especially early in growing 

season, often absent near end; water table often near, at, or above surface. 

 

D - Seasonally Flooded / Well Drained 

E - Seasonally Flooded / Saturated 

F Semipermanently Flooded – surface water persists throughout growing season in most years; 

water table very near, at, or above surface. 

G Intermittently Exposed – surface water present throughout year, except in drought years. 

H Permanently Flooded – surface water always present; vegetation is obligate, hydrophytic. 

J Intermittently Flooded – exposed substrates with surface water periodically present; do not 

necessarily have hydric/wetland soils. 

K Artificially Flooded – amount and duration of surface water controlled by human constructions. 

Combined water regime modifiers: 

W Intermittently Flooded / Temporary 

Y Saturated / Semipermanent / Seasonal 

Z Intermittently Exposed / Permanent 

NWI identifies 17 classes of inland freshwater wetlands in Florida covering 23% of the 

landscape (Table 8) (10 Palustrine, 4 Riverine, and 3 Lacustrine). Within Palustrine systems, 

Forest subsystems in total account for 53% of State wetlands, followed by the Emergent class 

(34%) and Scrub-Shrub class (11%). Riverine and Lacustrine wetland classes account for 

less than 3% of State wetland area, but were included here to enable cross-reference with 

other classification descriptions of Emergent and Aquatic-Bed vegetation associations. 

Distributional variation of NWI classes within the 4 proposed wetland regions of Florida is 

discussed later in the context of bioassessment classes. 

9 
Table 8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) classifications 

(Cowardin et al 1979) and percent areas for Florida inland freshwater wetlands. 

NWI code Wetland class description 

% 

wetland 

area 

% state 

area 

R 2 AB Riverine, Lower Perennial, Aquatic Bed 0.07 0.01

R 2 EM Riverine, Lower Perennial, Emergent, non-persistent 0.00 0.00

R 3 AB Riverine, Upper Perennial, Aquatic Bed 0.00 0.00

R 4 SB Riverine, Intermittent, Streambed 0.00 0.00

L 1 AB Lacustrine, Limnetic, Aquatic Bed 0.04 0.01

L 2 AB Lacustrine, Littoral, Aquatic Bed 1.28 0.29

L 2 EM Lacustrine, Littoral, Emergent, non-persistent 0.03 0.01

P AB 3 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Rooted Vascular 0.60 0.14

P AB 4 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Floating Vascular 0.15 0.03

P EM Palustrine, Emergent 34.17 7.71

P SS Palustrine, Scrub Shrub 11.18 2.52

P FO 1 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Deciduous 5.74 1.30

P FO 2 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved Deciduous 8.58 1.94

P FO 3 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Evergreen 4.92 1.11

P FO 4 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen 10.78 2.43

P FO 6 Palustrine, Forested, Deciduous (mixed) 0.01 0.00

P FO 7 Palustrine, Forested, Evergreen (mixed) 22.44 5.06

100.00

% NWI inland freshwater wetlands 22.55

% upland 

area 

63.00

% other (estuarine) wetlands and deepwater habitats 14.44

state total 

area 

100.00

10 
Other Classification Systems 

Ecosystems of Florida (Myer and Ewel 1990)

Thirteen inland freshwater forested wetland types (Swamps) are described by Ewel (1990): 

River Swamps (Whitewater Floodplain Forest, Blackwater Floodplain Forest, and Spring 

Run Swamp); and Stillwater Swamps (Bay Swamp, Cypress Pond, Cypress Savanna, 

Cypress Strand, Gum Pond, Hydric Hammock, Lake Fringe Swamp, Melaleuca Swamp, 

Mixed Hardwood Swamp, and Shrub Bog). Environmental variables determining structure 

and function of swamps are described (hydroperiod, fire frequency, organic matter 

accumulation, and water source). Common woody plants, productivity and nutrient estimates, 

wildlife occurrence and changes/impacts are inventoried or described for each swamp type. 

A comparison is given with NWI classes and modifiers (water regime, pH, and soil). An 

inverse relationship between hydroperiod and plant species richness is proposed, with River 

Swamps and Hydric Hammocks having greater number of species than Bay Swamps or 

Cypress/Gum Ponds for example. Swamp productivity is shown to generally increase as 

groundwater and surface flow become more important water sources than direct rainfall. 

Inland freshwater herbaceous wetlands (Marshes) are classified by Kushlan (1990) according 

to general physiognomy or by characteristic plants. Marsh distribution is explained using 

local and regional topography, rainfall, evapotranspiration, and geology. Five major Marsh 

Systems are described for Florida, from higher to lower elevation: Highland, Flatwoods, 

Kissimmee, St. Johns and Everglades. Six Marsh Associations are described using dominant 

plant species, hydroperiod, fire frequency and organic matter accumulation: Water Lily, 

Submersed, Cattail, Flag, Saw Grass, and Wet Prairie. Predominant marsh plant associations 

are identified within major marsh systems (regions). 

The Nature Conservancy 

An alliance-level classification of vegetation of the Southeastern United States includes 

multiple hierarchical levels: Division (vegetated, non-vegetated); Order (dominant vegetation 

form – trees, shrubs, herbaceous-vascular, non-vascular); Class (cover, density estimates – 

canopy, crown, height class); Subclass (dominant life form - evergreen, deciduous, perennial, 

annual, mixed); Group (lifezone - temperate, subtropical, tropical); Subgroup (use history – 

natural, planted, cultivated); and Formation (hydropattern, drought/temperature tolerance, 

vegetation habit). Alliances are defined using dominant plant species or vegetation 

associations. Descriptors include successional sere and soil type. An estimated 256 

vegetation alliances are identified for Florida. 

Lake County Water Authority/Seminole County

A simple dichotomous key for wetland classification using easily identifiable characteristics 

applied to summer and winter seasons results in 4 forested wetlands (Cypress Swamp, Hydric 

Hammock, Bayhead, Hardwood Swamp) and 3 herbaceous wetlands (Deep Marsh, Shallow 

Marsh, Wet Prairie). Typical flora and fauna are described by LCWA. Quantitative 

information on water quality (P/N removal), 

evapotranspiration, hydroperiod, high/low water levels, recharge potential, peat depth, 

wildlife utilization and gross primary productivity is given in Brown et al (1983). 

11 
Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Developed through the Waterways Experiment Station, the hydrogeomorphic classification 

approach for wetlands emphasizes external and independent controls that maintain ecosystem

functions (Brinson 1993). Thus maintenance of wetland functions is inferred from provision 

of local hydrogeomorphic controls. Function refers to processes that are necessary for the 

self-maintenance of an ecosystem. Because biological integrity addresses both community 

structure (species composition) and ecosystem processes (function), several wetland 

classification developed for biological assessments have been based on the HGM functional 

approach. 

Three determinants are used to define wetland class: 

1) geomorphology (topographic position and landscape association); 

2) water source (precipitation, surface water, groundwater); and

3) hydrodynamics (direction and strength of flow). 

First order HGM classes are discriminated by geomorphic settings (Riverine, Depressional, 

Lake Fringe, Slope, and Flats), and further categorized by dominant hydrologic aspects. 

Synonyms and descriptions from other classifications are compared with HGM regional 

classes (Table 9). Regional subclasses can be identified to discriminate classes based on 

climatic, geographic and other external functions. HGM classification, however, is not 

designed to discriminate vegetative associations and species compositions. Thus, at the 

subclass level community descriptions can be employed from other classification systems 

and based on field inventories to further subdivide wetland types. 

Development of ecoregions is necessary for consideration of biogeographic aspects such as 

species distributions. HGM models for Florida, developed by The U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers Waterways Experiment Station, divide Florida into 2 regions: Panhandle and 

Peninsula. Each regional class is subdivided into Herbaceous and Forested subclasses. As an 

example, the HGM Peninsular-Florida-Depression wetland class is compared with other 

classifications (Table 10). 

The coarse resolution of HGM functional classes does not distinguish all wetland ecosystem

types within a region, and all HGM classes are not necessarily represented within regions or 

States. Five geomorphic settings may not be distinct, or it may not be possible to identify 

dominant hydrologic characteristics. In Florida, the HGM class Flats is not readily 

discriminated from Depression or Slope classes, and several water sources may exist for a 

wetland type. The classification is designed as a generic approach that defines broad 

functional classes according to independent physical conditions that determine wetland 

attributes. As such, the HGM approach provides a uniform and scientific organizing 

framework for wetland classification. 

12 
Table 9. Geomorphic landscape position, water source and directional flow for HGM classes 

(adapted from Brinson 1993 and Trott et al 1997), with examples of wetlands named 

from other Florida classification systems (FLUCCS, GFC, FNAI).

Water Source Hydrodynamics Plant Community Type: 

Geomorphology (dominant) (dominant) Forested Herbaceous 

Riverine Channel, Horizontal Bottomland hardwood Maidencane 

marsh

 overbank unidirectional 

 

Depressional Groundwater, Vertical, Cypress/Gum Basin marsh 

 surface bidirectional 

Lake fringe lacustrine, Horizontal, Mixed hardwood Emergent marsh 

 overbank bidirectional 

Slope Groundwater Horizontal, Baygall Seepage bogs 

 unidirectional 

Organic flats Precipitation Vertical Hydric savanna Sawgrass marsh

 

Mineral flats Precipitation Vertical Wet flatwoods Wet, marl prairies 

13 
Table 10. Comparison of wetland classification nomenclature with HGM PeninsularFlorida-Depression wetland class (adapted from Trott et al. 1997). 

 Classification System Code - Wetland (Community) Types 

Herbaceous-Depression

 FNAI Depression Marsh 

 Basin Marsh 

SCS 25 – Freshwater Marsh 

FLUCCS 641 – Freshwater Marshes 

644 – Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 

FWC 11 – Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

NWI PEM – Palustrine-Emergent Wetland 

Forest-Depression

 FNAI Dome Swamp 

 Basin Swamp

 Bog 

SCS 17 – Cypress Swamp 

22 – Shrub Bogs, Bay Swamps

FLUCCS 616 – Inland Ponds and Sloughs 

621 – Cypress 

613 – Gum Swamps 

FWC 12 – Cypress Swamp 

13 – Hardwood Swamp 

15 – Shrub Swamp 

NWI PFO – Palustrine-Forested Wetland 

Classification Crosswalks 

State and Federal wetland classifications are cross-referenced, comparing wetland types and 

descriptions between systems. An effort was made to be inclusive rather than restrictive in 

the comparisons. Therefore, wetland types from different classification approaches with 

similar keying characters were linked as well as wetland types that had possible associations 

based on broad and general descriptions or limited information. Wetland nomenclature was 

‘best fit’ to corresponding wetlands named in other classifications. Two outcomes came of 

this: a single class or community type often fit more than one wetland description in another 

system; and some cross-references although weak were more similar than dissimilar. In 

addition, some ecosystem types only marginally met generalized wetland criteria but were 

included to provide cross-reference to like ecosystems identified in other classifications as 

wetland (partial characterizations included descriptions of hydrophytes, hydric soils, 

hydroperiods, and landscape position). 

14 
It follows that the resolution of cross-references made here is coarse with varying degrees of 

reliability. Crosswalks are designed to: 1) facilitate comparisons between goal specific 

classification approaches; 2) identify common nomenclature; 3) relate wetland typology to 

State databases; 4) utilize organizational and descriptive strengths of existing methods; and 

5) provide a framework for wetland regionalization and classifications necessary for 

biological assessments. Inland freshwater wetlands from 5 Florida classifications are 

compared: 

FNAI (1990) Guide to the Natural Communities of Florida (Table 11); 

SCS (1981) 26 Ecological Communities of Florida (Table 12) 

FDOT (1976/1985) Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms Classification (Table 13) 

FWC Florida Landcover (Kautz et al 1993) (Table 14) 

USFWS National Wetlands Inventory (Cowardin et al 1979) (Table 15). 

An HTML formatted database links classification nomenclature. This allows users to quickly 

identify wetland synonyms and provides cross-reference for common approaches and the 

proposed wetland bioassessment classification. 

Because each classification approach was designed within specific agency goals, no crossreferences are uniform. General trends are evident (Table 16). Total number of possible 

cross-references increased (from 80 to 160) as the number of classes increased within a 

classification system (from 7 to 22). Mean number of cross-references per wetland type 

decreased with increasing number of classes (between 2 and 3 references per class). Tables 

17-21 identify frequency and numbers of cross-references for each classification. Wetlands 

with high numbers of cross-references include: FWC-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie, 

Bottomland Hardwood, Pinelands; SCS-Bottomland Hardwood, Swamp Hardwood, 

Freshwater Marsh; NWI-Emergent, Scrub Shrub, Broad-leaved Deciduous, Needle-leaved 

Deciduous, Forested-mixed (19); FNAI-Floodplain Forest, Dome Swamp; and FLUCCSCypress, Freshwater Marsh, Wet Prairie, Emergent Aquatic Vegetation. This indicates 

agreement on wetland description between classifications and/or generality in nomenclature. 

Proposed Wetland Classification Approach for Biological Assessment 

Appropriate consideration of the factors necessary to create homogenous sets for comparing 

biological condition requires the identification of wetland classes within ecological regions. 

A tiered and aggregated wetland classification system is presented here that is referenced to 

preliminary wetland ecoregions and cross-referenced to other classifications used in Florida. 

The proposed system is a product of several complementary efforts: a literature review on 

classification methods; cross-referencing of Florida wetland classifications; field trials and 

visits to typical wetland communities; and consultation with FDEP personnel associated with 

past efforts and current applications. 

15 
Table 11. Florida Natural Areas Inventory inland freshwater wetland communities and classification cross-reference. 

FNAI SCS FLUCCS FWC NWI 

Palustrine Wet Flatlands Hydric Hammock 21-Swamp Hardwood 617 13 PFO6  Marl Prairie 16-Scrub Cypress 621, 641, 643 11 PEM, PFO2  Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods 3 PFO4, PFO7  Wet Prairie 25-Freshwater Marsh, 23-Pitcher Plant Bog 310, 643 11 PEM  Seepage Wetlands  Baygall 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 611, 614 14 PFO3, PFO7  Seepage Slope 23-Pitcher Plant Bog, 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 310, 614, 643 11, 15 PEM, PSS  Floodplain Wetlands  Bottomland Forest 20-Bottomland Hardwood 615, 617, 623, 630 17 PFO1  Floodplain Forest 20-Bottomland Hardwood, 21-Swamp Hardwood 615, 617, 618, 619, 630 17 PFO1, PFO2  Floodplain Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643, 644 11 PEM, R2EM, L2EM Floodplain Swamp 20-Bottomland Hardwood, 17-Cypress Swamp 613, 615, 621 17 PFO1, PFO2  Freshwater Tidal Swamp 20-Bottomland Hardwood 613, 615, 621, 623, 624 12 PFO6, PFO7  Slough 26-Slough 621 12 PFO2, PFO6 Strand Swamp 16-Scrub Cypress, 17-Cypress Swamp 621, 618, 619 12 PFO2  Swale 24-Sawgrass Marsh 641, 643 11 PEM  Basin Wetlands  Basin Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643, 644 11 PEM, PAB  Basin Swamp 17-Cypress Swamp, 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 613, 616, 617, 621 13, 14 PFO6  Bog 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 310, 614, 618, 619, 630 15 PSS  Depression Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 644, 653 11 PEM, PAB  Dome Swamp 17-Cypress Swamp, 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 613, 616, 621 12, 13, 14 PFO2, PFO3, PFO6 Lacustrine Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643, 644 11 L2EM, PEM  River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 20-Bottomland Hardwood 615, 645 11, 17 R2AB, R3AB, L1AB

16
Table 12. Soil Conservation Service inland freshwater wetland communities and classification cross-reference. 

SCS FNAI FLUCCS FWC 

8 Cabbage Palm Flatwoods 624-Cypress-Pine-Cabbage Palm10 Cutthroat Seep 3 PEM12 Wetland Hardwood Hammock Seepage Slope, Basin Swamp, Dome Swamp 617-Mixed Wetland Hardwood, 613-Gum Swamp 13 PFO116 Scrub Cypress Strand Swamp, Marl Prairie 621-Cypress 12 PFO2 17 Cypress Swamp Dome Swamp, Floodplain Swamp, Strand Swamp, Basin Swamp 621-Cypress 12 PFO220 Bottomland Hardwood 

Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp, River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 

615-Stream/Lake Swamp, 622-Pond Pine, 623-

Atlantic White Cedar 17 PFO1

21 Swamp Hardwood Hydric Hammock, Flooplain Forest

613-Gum Swamp, 618-Willow/Elderberry, 619-Exotic Wetland Hardwood, 623-Atlantic White Cedar, 624-Cypress-Pine-Cabbage Palm 

13, 17 PFO1

22 Shrub Bog, Bay Swamp Baygall, Bog 611-Bay Swamp, 614-Titi Swamp, 618- Willow/Elderberry, 619-Exotic Wetland Hardwood 14, 15 PFO323 Pitcher Plant Bog Seepage Slope, Wet Prairie 643-Wet Prairie 11 PEM24 Sawgrass Marsh Swale 641-Freshwater Marsh, 644-Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 11 PEM25 Freshwater Marsh 

Basin Marsh, Depression Marsh, Floodplain Marsh, Wet Prairie, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 

641-Freshwater Marsh, 643-Wet Prairie, 644-Emergent Aquatic Vegetation, 645-Submergent 

Aquatic Vegetation, 653-Intermittent Ponds 

11 

PEMR2EMR4SBL2EMPAB4

26 Slough Slough 616-Inland Ponds and Sloughs, 653-Intermittent Ponds, 646-Treeless Hydric Savanna 11, 15 PEM 6,7 N, S Florida Flatwoods Wet Flatwoods 

625-Hydric Pine Flatwoods, 622-Pond Pine, 626-Hydric Pine Savanna, 646-Treeless Hydric Savanna, 627- Slash Pine Swamp Forest 

3 PFO4

17 
18 

Table 13. Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms inland freshwater wetland classes and classification cross-reference. 

FLUCCS FNAI SCS FWC 

610 - Wetland Hardwood Forests 611 - Bay Swamps Baygall 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 14  613 - Gum Swamps 

Basin Swamp, Dome Swamp, Floodplain Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp, River Floodplain/Swamp 

21-Swamp Hardwood, 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 13 

 614 - Titi Swamps Seepage Slope, Bog, Baygall 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 15  615 - Stream and Lake Swamps  (Bottomland) 

Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp, River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 

20-Bottomland Hardwood 17 

 616 - Inland Ponds and Sloughs Basin Swamp, Dome Swamp 26-Slough 13  617 - Mixed Wetland Hardwoods Hydric Hammock, Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Basin Swamp 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 13  618 - Willow and Elderberry Bog, Slough, Floodplain Forest 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp, 21-Swamp Hardwood 15  619 - Exotic Wetland Hardwood Bog, Slough, Floodplain Forest 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp, 21-Swamp Hardwood 15 620 - Wetland Coniferous Forests 621 - Cypress Dome Swamp, Basin Swamp, Strand Swamp, Floodplain Swamp, Marl Prairie 16-Scrub Cypress, 17-Cypress Swamp 12  622 - Pond Pine Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods, 20-Bottomland Hardwood 3  623 - Atlantic White Cedar Bottomland Forest, Freshwater Tidal Swamp 20-Bottomland Hardwood, 21-Swamp Hardwood 17  624 - Cypress - Pine - Cabbage Palm Wet Flatwoods, Freshwater Tidal Swamp 8-Cabbage Palm Flatwoods, 21-Swamp Hardwood 17  625 - Hydric Pine Flatwoods Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods 3  626 - Hydric Pine Savanna Wet Flatwoods 7-S Florida Flatwoods 3  627 - Slash Pine Swamp Forest Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods 3 630 - Wetland Forested Mixed 631 - Wetland Scrub Bog, Wet Flatwoods, Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 15 640 - Vegetated Non-Forested Wetlands 641 - Freshwater Marshes Basin Marsh, Depression Marsh, Swale, Marl Prairie, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh, 24-Sawgrass Marsh 11  643 - Wet Prairies Wet Prairie, Marl Prairie, Seepage Slope, Swale, Basin Marsh, Flatwwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 23-Pitcher Plant Bog, 25-Freshwater Marsh 11  644 - Emergent Aquatic Vegetation Basin Marsh, Depression Marsh, Floodplain Marsh, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh, 24-Sawgrass Marsh 11  645 - Submerged Aquatic Vegetation River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 11  646 - Treeless Hydric Savanna Wet Flatwoods 26-Slough 3, 11 653 - Intermittent Ponds Depression Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh, 26-Slough 11 
Table 14. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Service inland freshwater wetland habitats and classification cross-refere

FWC FNAI SCS FLUCCS 

11 Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

Basin Marsh, Depression Marsh, Wet Prairie, Floodplain Marsh, Swale, Marl Prairie, Seepage Slope, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake, River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 

25-Freshwater Marsh, 24-Sawgrass Marsh, 26-Slough, 23-Pitcher Plant Bog 

641, 643, 644, 645, 646, 653 

L1ABR1ABR2EMPEM 

12 Cypress Swamp Dome Swamp, Slough, Strand Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp 16-Scrub Cypress, 17-Cypress Swamp 621 PFO213 Hardwood Swamp Basin Swamp, Bottomland Forest, Hydric Hammock 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock, 21-Swamp Hardwood 613, 616, 617 PFO14 Bay Swamp Baygall 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 611 PFO315 Shrub Swamp Bog, Seepage Slope (Titi Bog), 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp, 26- Slough 614, 618, 619, 631 PSS 17 Bottomland Hardwood 

Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp, River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 

20-Bottomland Hardwood, 21-Swamp Hardwood 615, 623, 624 PFO

3 Pinelands Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods, 10- Cutthroat Seeps 622, 625, 626, 627, 646 PFO4

19 
Table 15. USFWS National Wetland Inventory inland freshwater wetland systems and classification cross-reference. 

NWI FNAI SCS FLUCCS 

R2AB Riverine, Lower Perennial, Aquatic Bed 25-Freshwater Marsh 644, 645 R2EM Riverine, Lower Perennial, Emergent, non-persistent Floodplain Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643 R3AB Riverine, Upper Perennial, Aquatic Bed River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 644, 645 R4SB Riverine, Intermittent, Streambed Floodplain Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643 L1AB Lacustrine, Limnetic, Aquatic Bed River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 644, 645 L2AB Lacustrine, Littoral, Aquatic Bed River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 644, 645 L2EM Lacustrine, Littoral, Emergent, non-persistent Floodplain Marsh, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 25-Freshwater Marsh 641, 643 PAB3 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Rooted Vascular Depression Marsh, Basin Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 644, 645 PAB4 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Floating Vascular Depression Marsh 25-Freshwater Marsh 644 PEM Palustrine, Emergent 

Depression Marsh, Basin Marsh, Floodplain Marsh, Wet Prairie, Marl Prairie, Seepage Slope, Swale, Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 

25-Freshwater Marsh, 24-Sawgrass Marsh, 23-Pitcher Plant Bog 

641, 643, 653 

PSS Palustrine, Scrub Shrub Bog, Seepage Slope 

25-Freshwater Marsh, 23-Pitcher Plant Bog, 10-Cutthroat Seep 

614, 616, 618, 619, 631 

PFO1 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Deciduous Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp 

12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock, 21-Swamp Hardwood, 20-Bottomland Hardwood 

613, 614, 615, 616, 617 

PFO2 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved Deciduous 

Dome Swamp, Strand Swamp, Basin Swamp, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp, Slough, Marl Prairie 

16-Cypress Scrub, 17-Cypress Swamp 621 

PFO3 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Evergreen Baygall, Dome Swamp 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 611 PFO4 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved Evergreen Wet Flatwoods 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods 622, 623, 625, 626, 627, 646 PFO6 Palustrine, Forested, Deciduous (mixed) 

Hydric Hammock, Slough, Basin Swamp, Dome Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp 

12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock, 21-Swamp Hardwood, 20-Bottomland Hardwood, 17-CypressSwamp 

611, 613, 614, 615, 616, 617, 619, 621, 624 

PFO7 Palustrine, Forested, Evergreen (mixed) Wet Flatwoods, Baygall, Freshwater Tidal Swamp 6-7-N/S Florida Flatwoods, 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 622, 623, 624 

20 
Table 16 Classification crosswalk summaries: (tot) number of cross-references per wetland class; (avg) mean numbe

per classification for each wetland class.

FWC SCS NWI 

tot avg tot avg 

11 Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

30 7.5 10-Cutthroat Seep 5 1.3 R2AB Riverine, Lower Perennial, Aquatic B

12 Cypress Swamp 8 2.0 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 8 2.0 R2EM Riverine, Lower Perennial, Emergent

persistent 

7

13 Hardwood Swamp 9 2.3 16-Scrub Cypress 5 1.3 R3AB Riverine, Upper Perennial, Aquatic B14 Bay Swamp 5 1.3 17-Cypress Swamp 7 1.8 R4SB Riverine, Intermittent, Streambed 15 Shrub Swamp 9 2.3 20-Bottomland Hardwood 10 2.5 L1AB Lacustrine, Limnetic, Aquatic Bed 17 Bottomland Hardwood 10 2.5 21-Swamp Hardwood 10 2.5 L2AB Lacustrine, Littoral, Aquatic Bed 3 Pinelands 10 2.5 22-Shrub Bog, Bay Swamp 9 2.3 L2EM Lacustrine, Littoral, Emergent, non-pe

23-Pitcher Plant Bog 6 1.5 PAB3 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Rooted Vasc

number of wetland types: 24-Sawgrass Marsh 5 1.3 PAB4 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, Floating Vastot. no.of cross-references: 81 25-Freshwater Marsh 22 5.5 PEM Palustrine, Emergent mean no. cross-references per type: 2.9 26-Slough 7 1.8 PSS Palustrine, Scrub Shrub 

6-7-N, S Florida Flatwoods 4 1.0 PFO1 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved D

PFO2 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved 

number of wetland types: 12 PFO3 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Etot. no.of cross-references: 98 PFO4 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved mean no. cross-references per 

type: 

2.0 PFO6 Palustrine, Forested, Deciduous (mix

PFO7 Palustrine, Forested, Evergreen (mixnumber of wetland types: tot. no.of cross-references: mean no. cross-references per type: 

21 
Table 16. – continued. Classification crosswalk summaries: (tot) number of cross-references per wetland class; (avg) mean 

references per classification for each wetland class. 

FNAI FLUCCS 

tot avg tot avg

Hydric Hammock 4 1.0 611 - Bay Swamps 5 1.3Marl Prairie 6 1.5 613 - Gum Swamps 10 2.5Wet Flatwoods 5 1.3 614 - Titi Swamps 7 1.8Wet Prairie 6 1.5 615 - Stream and Lake Swamps 7 1.8Baygall 6 1.5 616 - Inland Ponds and Sloughs 7 1.8Seepage Slope 9 2.3 617 - Mixed Wetland Hardwoods 8 2.0Bottomland Forest 7 1.8 618 - Willow and Elderberry 8 2.0Floodplain Forest 10 2.5 619 - Exotic Wetland Hardwood 8 2.0Floodplain Marsh 9 2.3 621 - Cypress 11 2.8Floodplain Swamp 8 2.0 622 - Pond Pine 6 1.5Freshwater Tidal Swamp 9 2.3 623 - Atlantic White Cedar 7 1.8Slough 5 1.3 624 - Cypress - Pine - Cabbage Palm 7 1.8Strand Swamp 7 1.8 625 - Hydric Pine Flatwoods 4 1.0Swale 5 1.3 626 - Hydric Pine Savanna 4 1.0Basin Marsh 9 2.3 627 - Slash Pine Swamp Forest 4 1.0Basin Swamp 9 2.3 631 - Wetland Scrub 9 2.3Bog 8 2.0 641 - Freshwater Marshes 12 3.0Depression Marsh 7 1.8 643 - Wet Prairies 11 2.8Dome Swamp 11 2.8 644 - Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 13 3.3Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 7 1.8 645 - Submergent Aquatic Vegetation 8 2.0River Floodplain Lake/Swamp Lake 9 2.3 646 - Treeless Hydric Savanna 5 1.3

653 - Intermittent Ponds 6 1.5

number of wetland types: 21tot. no.of cross-references: 156 number of wetland types: 22mean no. cross-references per type: 1.9 tot. no.of cross-references: 167

mean no. cross-references per type: 1.9

22 
Table 17. Florida Natural Areas Inventory crosswalk summary. 

no. cross-references 

per wetland class: 

FNAI SCS FLUCCS FWC NWI

Hydric

Hammock 

1 1 1 1

Marl Prairie 1 3 1 2

Wet

Flatwoods 

1 1 2

Wet Prairie 2 2 1 1

Baygall 1 2 1 2

Seepage

Slope 

2 3 2 2

Bottomland

Forest 

1 4 1 1

Floodplain

Forest 

2 5 1 2

Floodplain

Marsh 

1 3 1 4

Floodplain

Swamp 

2 3 1 2

Freshwater Tidal Swamp 1 5 1 2

Slough 1 1 1 2

Strand

Swamp 

2 3 1 1

Swale 1 2 1 1

Basin

Marsh 

1 3 1 2

Basin

Swamp 

2 4 2 1

Bog 1 5 1 1

Depression

Marsh 

1 3 1 2

Dome

Swamp 

2 3 3 3

Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake 1 3 1 2

River Floodplain Lake/Swamp 

Lake 

1 2 2 4

no. times class no. 

classes 

is cross-referenced: cross-referenced:

1 3 5 1 9

2 4 5 2 2

3 1 3 1 2

4 2 3 2

5 1 1 2

> 5 3 1

23 
Table 18. Soil Conservation Service crosswalk summary.

no. cross-references 

per wetland class: 

SCS FNAI FLUCCS FWC NWI

10-

Cutthroat 

Seep 

1 1 2

12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock 3 2 1 2

16-Scrub

Cypress 

2 1 1 1

17-Cypress

Swamp 

4 1 1 1

20-Bottomland Hardwood 5 3 1 1

21-Swamp Hardwood 2 5 2 1

22-Shrub Bog, Bay Swamp 2 4 2 1

23-Pitcher Plant Bog 2 1 1 2

24-Sawgrass Marsh 1 2 1 1

25-Freshwater Marsh 5 5 1 11 

26-Slough 1 3 2 1

6-7-N, S Florida Flatwoods 1 8 1 2

no. times class no. 

classes 

is cross-referenced: cross-referenced:

1 14 14 9

2 7 9 5 3

3 1

4 1 1

5 1

24 
Table 19. Florida Land-use, Cover and Forms crosswalk summary. 

no. cross-references 

per wetland class: 

FLUCCS FNAI SCS FWC NWI

611 - Bay 

Swamps 

1 1 1 2

613 - Gum 

Swamps 

5 2 1 2

614 - Titi 

Swamps 

3 1 1 2

615 - Stream and Lake Swamps 5 1 1

616 - Inland Ponds and Sloughs 2 1 1 3

617 - Mixed Wetland Hardwoods 4 1 1 2

618 - Willow and Elderberry 2 2 1 3

619 - Exotic Wetland Hardwood 3 2 1 2

621 - Cypress 6 2 1 2

622 - Pond 

Pine 

1 2 1 2

623 - Atlantic White Cedar 2 2 1 2

624 - Cypress - Pine - Cabbage 

Palm 

2 2 1 2

625 - Hydric Pine Flatwoods 1 1 1 1

626 - Hydric Pine Savanna 1 1 1 1

627 - Slash Pine Swamp Forest 1 1 1 1

631 - Wetland 

Scrub 

6 1 1 1

641 - Freshwater Marshes 5 2 1 4

643 - Wet 

Prairies 

5 2 1 4

644 - Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 4 2 1 6

645 - Submergent Aquatic 

Vegetation 

1 1 1 5

646 - Treeless Hydric Savanna 1 1 2 1

653 - Intermittent Ponds 1 2 1 2

no. times class no. classes 

is cross-referenced: crossreferenced:

1 5 2 2 2

2 4 3 5

3 6 1 2 2

4 5 1 1 1

5 3 1 1

> 5 1 1

25 
Table 20. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation crosswalk summary. 

no. cross-references 

per wetland class: 

FWC FNAI SCS FLUCCS NWI

11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet 

Prairie 

9 4 6 11

12-Cypress

Swamp 

4 2 1 1

13-Hardwood

Swamp 

3 2 3 1

14-Bay

Swamp 

1 1 1 2

15-Shrub

Swamp 

2 2 4 1

17-Bottomland Hardwood 4 2 3 1

3-Pinelands 1 2 5 2

no. times class no. classes 

is cross-referenced: crossreferenced:

1 18 9 20 17

2 3 2 1 1

26 
Table 21. National Wetlands Inventory crosswalk summary. 

no. cross-references 

per wetland class: 

SCS FNAI SCS FLUCCS FWC

R2AB Riverine, Lower 

Perennial, Aquatic Bed 

1 1

R2EM Riverine, Lower Perennial, Emergent, nonpersistent 1 1 2 1

R3AB Riverine, Upper 

Perennial, Aquatic Bed 

1 1 2 1

R4SB Riverine, Intermittent, 

Streambed 

1 1 2 1

L1AB Lacustrine, Limnetic, 

Aquatic Bed 

1 1 2 1

L2AB Lacustrine, Littoral, 

Aquatic Bed 

1 1 2 1

L2EM Lacustrine, Littoral, Emergent, non-persistent 2 1 2 1

PAB3 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, 

Rooted Vascular 

2 1 2 1

PAB4 Palustrine, Aquatic Bed, 

Floating Vascular 

1 1 1 1

PEM Palustrine, Emergent 8 3 3 1

PSS Palustrine, Scrub Shrub 2 3 5 1

PFO1 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved 

Deciduous 

3 3 5 1

PFO2 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved 

Deciduous 

7 2 1 1

PFO3 Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved 

Evergreen 

2 1 1 1

PFO4 Palustrine, Forested, Needle-Leaved 

Evergreen 

1 1 6 1

PFO6 Palustrine, Forested, 

Deciduous (mixed) 

5 4 9 1

PFO7 Palustrine, Forested, 

Evergreen (mixed) 

3 2 3 1

no. times class no. classes 

is crossreferenced:crossreferenced:

1 6 4 7 7

2 11 6 8

3 2 3

4 2

5 1

> 5 1 1 1 1

27 
The proposed classification for wetland bioassessments builds on commonalities between 

and key elements from prominent classifications (namely HGM, FNAI, and NWI). It is 

organized by landscape geomorphology (River, Depression, Lake, Slope, Flats) and 

dominant vegetative form (Forested, Herbaceous, Shrub) (Table 22). Additional resolution is 

provided through (subclass) descriptors: Hydroperiod (depth, duration and frequency of 

inundation); Primary Water Source (rainfall, surface or ground-water); and Soil Type 

(organic or mineral). 

Limited information on descriptors restricts their application. For example, very little is 

known about the hydropattern of isolated basin or depression wetlands. Referencing 

hydroperiod modifiers from NWI wetlands database may provide description. Inferences 

about hydrology can also be based on vegetative associations described in the literature and 

learned from the field. Both FNAI and SCS include plant community characteristics and 

descriptions of wetland hydroperiod. Vegetation associations further classify wetlands, either 

by cross-reference with other classifications or through use of inventories and descriptions 

provided by research (scientific and technical literature) and monitoring (State agency 

programs). 

Table 22. Proposed classification for biological assessment of Florida inland freshwater wetlands. 

1. wetland is primarily forest 2 

wetland is primarily herbaceous 3 

wetland is shrub dominated Shrub-scrub

2 wetland is within stream channel or floodplain River Swamp

wetland is an isolated depression Depression Swamp

wetland is along a lake edge (permanent water >2 meters deep) Lake Swamp

wetland located on sloped topography Strand / Seepage Swamp

wetland associated with flat landscape; water source primarily precipitation Flatland Swamp

3 wetland is within a stream channel or floodplain River Marsh

wetland is an isolated depression Depression marsh

wetland is along a lake edge (permanent water >2 meters deep) Lake marsh

wetland located on sloped topography with groundwater source Seepage Marsh

wetland associated with flat landscape; water source primarily precipitation Wet Prairie

Descriptors:

 Hydroperiod: Depth, duration, and frequency of inundation 

 Primary water source: rainfall, surface water, groundwater 

 Soil type: organic, mineral 

 Plant community association 

28 
Finally, wetland classes are partitioned into proposed wetland ecoregions (Panhandle, North, 

Central, South). Inventorying NWI wetland classes within 4 proposed wetland ecoregions 

reveals distributional variation across Florida. Distribution maps are presented in the wetland 

Regions report – here trends are discussed in the context of wetland classes proposed for 

biological assessments. Twenty-two percent of the Panhandle Region is wetland; 35% of the 

South Florida Region is wetland; wetlands in the North and Central Regions cover 16% of 

the landscape. Generally, there is a trend of declining forested wetlands and increasing nonforested wetlands latitudinally from the Panhandle to South Florida. 

Deciduous-Forest wetlands are most abundant within the Panhandle Region (51%) followed 

by Needle-leaved-Evergreen-Forests (32%). Emergent wetlands account for less than 4% of 

the wetlands in the region. In the North Region, the Deciduous-Forest class is again the most 

common wetland (62%) but Emergent wetland area proportionally increased (13%). 

Evergreen-Forest classes (Broad and Needle-leaved together) account for 16% of wetlands in 

the region. In the Central Region, Emergent and Deciduous-Forest classes are equally 

represented, each about 40% of area wetlands. Evergreen-Forest wetlands decreased to about 

10% of the region’s wetlands. Shrub-Scrub classes in the Panhandle, North and Central 

Regions represent 7-9% of regional wetlands. In the South Florida Region, Emergent 

wetlands are prominent landscape features (61% of wetlands and 22% of landscape). 

Forested wetlands are less common (Deciduous and Evergreen-Forest classes account for 

16% and 5% of area wetlands, respectively). Shrub-Scrub wetlands are more common in

South Florida (17% of wetlands in the region). 

Based on regional differences in distribution and abundance of wetlands across Florida, 

modifiers and plant community descriptions should be used to generate greater resolution for 

prominent wetland classes in a landscape. In the Panhandle Region, water source and 

hydroperiod are likely to discriminate River Swamps into Bottomland and Floodplain 

Forests. In the South Region, modifiers are likely to discriminate Marshes into Seepage, 

Prairie or Emergent wetlands. Additional description to Palustrine Emergent Marshes may 

result from a partitioning of typical or mean annual flooding or water depth (e.g., Shallow 

and Deep-water). 

The 12 proposed wetland classes are compared with 5 classification networks to identify 

synonyms, generate descriptions and provide cross-reference (Table 23). Common 

nomenclature from the classification crosswalks includes: Bottomland, Floodplain, Dome, 

Basin, Wet Flatwoods, Strand, Slough, Seep, Marsh, Prairie and Bog. Dominant plant 

community associations commonly included in classifications are: cypress (needle-leaved 

deciduous), bay (broad-leaved evergreen), hardwood (mixed deciduous), and sawgrass. 

For forested wetlands, River Swamp had the greatest number of cross-references (21) and 

Seepage Swamp had the least (7). For Non-forested wetlands, River Marsh had the greatest 

number of cross-references (13); Wet Prairie and Seepage Bog each had 9. Groundwater 

influenced wetlands are unique enough communities to warrant specific consideration in all 

classifications. In general there is less conflict (greater certainty) among similar categories of 

Non-forested wetlands than for Forested wetlands (average number of cross-references 11 

and 15, respectively). Generally NWI and FLUCCS classifications generated the greatest 

number of cross-references for proposed classes due both to generality of nomenclature 

29 
Table 23. Classification cross-reference of proposed classes for biological assessment of inland 

freshwater wetlands in Florida. 

Forested wetlands:

 River Swamp 

FNAI: Bottomland Forest, Floodplain Forest, Floodplain Swamp, Freshwater Tidal Swamp, River 

Floodplain Swamp

FLUCCS: 613-Gum Swamp, 615-Stream and Lake Swamp (Bottomland), 617-Mixed Wetland 

Hardwood, 621-Cypress, 623-Atlantic White Cedar, 624-Cypress-Pine-Cabbage Palm

FWC: 12-Cypress, 13-Hardwood Swamp, 17-Bottomland Hardwood 

 NWI: PFO1-Palustrine Forested Broad-leaved Deciduous, PFO2-Palustrine Forested Needle-leaved

Deciduous, PFO6-Palustrine Forested Deciduous mixed, PFO7-Palustrine Forested Evergreen 

mixed 

SCS: 17-Cypress Swamp, 20-Bottomland Hardwood, 21-Swamp Hardwood

 Depression Swamp 

FNAI: Basin Swamp, Bog, Dome Swamp, Baygall

FLUCCS: 611-Bay Swamp, 613-Gum Swamp, 617-Mixed Wetland Hardwood, 621-Cypress 

FWC: 12-Cypress, 13-Hardwood Swamp, 14-Bay Swamp 

 NWI: PFO2-Palustrine Forested Needle-leaved Deciduous, PFO3-Palustrine Forested Broad-leaved

Evergreen, PFO6-Palustrine Forested Deciduous mixed 

SCS: 17-Cypress Swamp, 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 

 Lake Swamp 

FNAI: Swamp Lake, Basin Swamp, Bottomland Forest

FLUCCS: 613-Gum Swamp, 615-Lake Swamp (Bottomland), Mixed Wetland Hardwood, 621-

Cypress, 624-Cypress-Pine-Cabbage Palm

FWC: 12-Cypress Swamp, 13-Hardwood Swamp, 17-Bottomland Hardwood 

 NWI: PFO2-Palustrine Forested Needle-leaved Deciduous, PFO6-Palustrine Forested Deciduous 

mixed 

SCS: 17-Cypress Swamp, 21-Swamp Hardwoods 

 Strand Swamp 

 FNAI: Strand Swamp 

 FLUCCS: 614-Titi Swamp, 617-Mixed Wetland Hardwood, 618-Willow and Elderberry, 619-Exotic 

Wetland Hardwood, 621-Cypress, 631-Wetland Scrub

FWC: 12-Cypress Swamp, 13-Hardwood Swamp, 15-Shrub Swamp

 NWI: PFO2-Palustrine Forested Needle-leaved Deciduous, PFO6-Palustrine Forested Deciduous 

mixed 

SCS: 12-Wetland Hardwood Hammock, 16-Scrub Cypress, 17-Cypress Swamp 

Seepage Swamp 

 FNAI: Baygall

 FLUCCS: 611-Bay Swamp

 FWC: 14-Bay Swamp 

 NWI: PFO3-Palustrine Forested Broad-leaved Evergreen, PFO7-Palustrine Forested Evergreen mixed 

SCS: 10-Cutthroat Seep, 22-Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 

Flatland Swamp 

FNAI: Hydric Hammock, Wet Flatwoods 

 FLUCCS: 614-Titi Swamp, 616-Inland Ponds and Sloughs, 618-Willow and Elderberry, 619-Exotic 

Wetland Hardwood, 622-Pond Pine, 624-Cypress-Pine-Cabbage Palm, 625-Hydric Pine

Flatwoods, 626-Hydric Pine Savanna, 627-Slash Pine Swamp Forest

 FWC: 13-Hardwood Swamp, 3-Pinelands 

 NWI: PFO4-Palustrine Forested Needle-leaved Evergreen, PFO7-Palustrine Forested Evergreen mixed 

 SCS: 6/7-Flatwoods 

30
Table 23 – continued. Cross-reference of wetland types with proposed bioassessment classification. 

Non-forested wetlands: 

River Marsh 

 FNAI: Floodplain Marsh 

FLUCCS: 641-Freshwater Marsh, 644-Emergent Aquatic Vegetation 

FWC: 11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

NWI: R2AB-Riverine Lower Perennial Aquatic Bed, R2EM-Riverine Lower Perennial Emergent Nonpersistent, R3AB-Riverine Upper Perennial Aquatic Bed, R4SB-Riverine Intermittent Streambed,

PAB3-Palustrine Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular, PAB4-Palustrine Aquatic Bed Floating Vascular, 

PEM-Palustrine Emergent 

 SCS: 25-Freshwater Marsh 

Depression Marsh 

FNAI: Basin Marsh, Bog, Depression Marsh 

 FLUCCS: 641-Freshwater Marsh, 644-Emergent Aquatic Vegetation, 653-Intermittent Pond

FWC: 11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

NWI: PAB3-Palustrine Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular, PAB4-Palustrine Aquatic Bed Floating 

Vascular, PEM-Palustrine Emergent

SCS: 25-Freshwater Marsh, 24-Sawgrass Marsh 

Lake Marsh 

FNAI: Flatwoods/Prairie/Marsh Lake, Basin Marsh 

FLUCCS: 641-Freshwater Marsh, 644-Emergent Aquatic Vegetation, 645-Submergent Aquatic

Vegetation

FWC: 11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

NWI: L1AB-Lacustrine Limnetic Aquatic Bed, L2AB-Lacustrine Littoral Aquatic Bed, L2EMLacustrine Littoral Emergent non-persistent, PAB3- Palustrine Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular, 

PAB4- Palustrine Aquatic Bed Floating Vascular, PEM-Palustrine Emergent

 SCS: 25-Freshwater Marsh 

Seepage Bog 

 FNAI: Swale, Slough, Seepage Slope 

FLUCCS: 641-Freshwater Marsh, 643-Wet Prairie 

FWC: 11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

 NWI: PEM-Palustrine Emergent

SCS: 10-Cutthroat Seep, 23-Pitcher Plant Bog 

Wetland Prairie 

FNAI: Wet Prairie, Marl Prairie 

FLUCCS: 643-Wet Prairie, 646-Treeles Hydric Savanna

FWC: 11-Freshwater Marsh and Wet Prairie 

 NWI: PEM-Palustrine Emergent

SCS: 25-Freshwater Marsh, 26-Slough, 24-Sawgrass Marsh 

 Shrub Scrub 

FNAI: Seepage Slope, Bog, Slough 

 FLUCCS: 631-Wetland Scrub, 614-Titi Swamp, 616-Inland Pond and Slough, 618-Willow and 

Elderberry, 619-Exotic Wetland Hardwood 

 FWC: 15-Shrub Swamp 

 NWI: PSS-Palustrine Scrub Shrub 

SCS: Shrub Bog/Bay Swamp 

31
(NWI) and to different organizing foundations (FLUCCS). Approaches utilizing a 

combination of factors (hydrology, geomorphology and biology) result in descriptive and 

more consistent classifications than those developed for technological application. 

FNAI provides the most comprehensive descriptions for its communities, using species lists 

and typical hydroperiods (and other information) to classify biologically distinct wetlands 

organized by landscape position. SCS also provides ecosystem attributes but does not include 

hydrology or geomorphology as keying characters, resulting in less distinct community 

types. FLUCCS is not organized by landscape features, rather by dominant vegetation readily 

identifiable through remote sensing, resulting in nomenclature that is not descriptive for 

biological assessment. The NWI system first divides wetlands by landscape features followed 

by dominant vegetative form, but classification, while hierarchical, often lacks resolution for 

assessing biological condition and the nomenclature is not conducive to localities. FWC 

habitats were chosen based on imaging criteria and with only 7 wetland habitats is too 

aggregated for biological description. 

The wetland classification approach proposed here is a preliminary effort to group similar 

wetlands together for purposes of detecting biological condition. Considerations have 

been made to keep the system simple and user-friendly, but robust enough to generate a 

consistent wetland typology. Field studies are needed to test differences between 12 wetland 

classes in 4 regions across the State. Proposed classes and regions should be peer reviewed 

by agency personnel involved in past efforts and current programs. 

Literature Cited 

Brinson (1993) A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands. Technical Report WRP-DE-4, U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experimental Station, Vicksburg, MS. 

Brown, M.T. and E.M. Starnes. 1983. A wetlands study of Seminole County: Identification, 

evaluation, and preparation of development standards and guidelines. University of Florida 

Center for Wetlands Technical Report 41, Seminole County and Florida Department of 

Community Affairs. 284 pp. 

Brooks, R.P., C.A. Cole, D.H. Wardrop, L. Bishel-Machung, D.J. Prosser, D.A.Campbell, and M.T. 

Gaudette. 1996. Wetlands, Wildlife, and Watershed Assessment Techniques for Evaluation and 

Restoration. Vol. 1: Evaluating and implementing watershed approaches for protecting 

Pennsylvania’s wetlands. 

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. Laroe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and 

Deepwater Habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / 

Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 103 pp.

Florida Department of Transportation. 1976/1985. Florida Land Use, Cover and Forms 

Classification System. 2nd edition, Procedure no. 550-010-001-a. State Topographic Bureau, 

Thematic Mapping Section. 

32 
Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 1990. Guide to the natural communities of Florida. Prepared by

FNAI and Florida Department of Natural Resources, Tallahassee FL. 111 pp. 

Karr, J.R. and E.W. Chu. 1999. Restoring life in running waters – better biological monitoring. Island 

Press. 206 pp. 

Lake County Water Authority. Our Vital Wetlands. Informational brochure made in conjunction with 

St. Johns River Water Management District, Taveres, FL. 28 pp. 

Mitsch, W.J. and J.G. Gosselink. 1993. Wetlands, 2nd ed. Van Nostrand Reinhold, NY. 722 pp. 

The Nature Conservancy. 1997. An alliance level classification of the vegetation of the Southeastern 

United States. Report to Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and the National Gap

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Trott, K.L., M.M. Davis, L.M. Grant, J.W. Beever, R.K. Evans, B.E. Gunsalus, S.L. Krupa, C.V. 

Noble and K.J. Liudahl. 1997. DRAFT Technical Report WRP-DE-XX. Peninsular Florida 

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 

33