Sandhills
The sandhill system is a forest ecosystem noted for dry, sandy soils that do not flood. These soils are well-drained, unlike the flatwoods. This forest experiences fire very frequently (1-15 years) and therefore does not have the dense shrubs typical of the scrub forest. Instead, grasses usually cover the ground. This forest once extended from Virginia to Florida and Texas. Excellent longleaf forests on sandhills can be seen at Blackwater River State Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, Wekiwa Springs State Park, Silver River State Park, Dead Lakes State Recreation Area, and Riverside Island in the Ocala National Forest. These have good places to hike, bike or ride horseback through well-maintained examples of the high pine community.
For the contest...
Each year the contest takes on two ecosystems on a four-year rotation. At this station, when Sandhill Forests is one of the featured ecosystems, contestants will
- ID 4 tree or shrub species that are commonly found in each ecosystem. The four tree and shrub species contestants should know from Sandhills are:
bluejack oak
sand post oak
rusty lyonia
woolly pawpaw - Answer multiple-choice questions about each ecosystem. To prepare, Juniors should read the Forest Story about adventures in each of their designated ecosystems. Intermediates should read the informative text about their designated ecosystems.