Effects of Hurricane Andrew on Coastal and Interior Forests of Southern Florida: Overview and Synthesis

Abstract

ARMENTANO. T.V.; DOREN, R.F.; PLATT, W.J., and MULLINS, T., 1995. Effects of Hurricane Andrew on coastal and interior forests of southern Florida: Overview and synthesis. Journal of Coastal Research, SI No. 21, pp. 111-144. Fort Lauderdale (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The effects of Hurrican Andrew upn the forests of south Florida as of early 1994 are summarized from studies conducted at sites located within the track of the storm as it passed across the peninsula. Updated information on the storm's track and eyewall configuration also is provided. Effects on slash pine savannas, hardwood hammocks, cypress domes and mangroves varied markedly but with some trends apparent. Severe damage and mortality of trees was greatest in mangrove forests where 59 to 85% of trees were killed, but vigorous seedling recruitment of red mangrove and sprouting of surviving black and white mangroves is now well underway. Severe effects in cypress domes was quite low, with only 4% mortality. In slash pine stands, over 80% of the trees were damaged, and mortality pattern was related to prior condition of the stands. Mortality in large, vigorous stands ranged from 17 to 24% but approached 100% in small remnant Miami rockridge pinelands located in developed eastern coastal areas. Tropical hardwood hammocks suffered extensive damage but only averaged 11.5% mortality and regrowth has been vigorous but not necessarily of the same species characterizing the pre-storm community. Overall mortality and damage increased with tree size except in hammocks where small trees were damaged or killed by limbs and crowns of larger trees. The extensive stands of exotic tree species were damaged but recovered quickly and vigorously. The potential of the expansion into hurricane-damaged habitats is one of several long-term concerns under investigation.