The Station contains excellent examples of all the original upland habitats of the Lake Wales Ridge. Southern Ridge Sandhill. The best remaining example of this unique association occurs on Archbold property. Sand Pine Scrub. One of the most distinctive plant communities in the United States, this shrubby formation harbors an exceptionally high density of locally endemic, endangered plant species .
Sharp boundaries result from periodic encroachment of fire from surrounding scrubs.
Swales and Seasonal Ponds . These grassy depressions occur where drainage is poor. Many are inundated during the summer rainy season and in wet winters. More than 350 seasonal ponds exist at Archbold. Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida, Sixth Edition.