• Topics: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | Main, Martin B | Allen, Ginger M | Florida's Environment series

Florida's Environment - Central West Region¹

Florida's Environment Series

Introduction

Central west Florida (Fig. 1) is a region characterized by numerous spring-fed rivers and streams that flow westward to the Gulf of Mexico. Large swamps and marshes associated with lakes form headwaters to many rivers in the region. Longleaf pine sandhill habitat was historically the region's major forest type, although intensely-managed pine plantations now predominate. Hardwood hammocks occur as scattered "islands" within pine flatwoods. DeSoto County harbors large tracts of dry prairie, scrubby flatwoods, rangeland, and sandhill communities.

Figure 1. 

Central west Florida region with counties.

Credit: UF/IFAS
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Despite rapid growth, conservation lands constitute roughly 20 percent of the central west region (Table 1) and include a variety of natural areas and parks for outdoor recreation and wildlife viewing.

This document summarizes major rivers, lakes and springs, featured natural areas, and cultural aspects of Florida's central west region. For information on other regions in Florida, refer to "The Florida Environment: An Overview" and the other seven regional profiles available online (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu).

Major West Rivers and Estuaries

The Alafia River originates in Polk County wetlands and empties into Hillsborough Bay. The Alafia's water quality ranges from good to poor as it flows through one of the world's richest phosphate deposits. Most of the Anclote River is derived from rainfall. The Anclote River has its beginnings in Pasco County wetlands and flows south to the northern part of Pinellas County. It also has three known bird rookeries.

Figure 2. 

Central west Florida major conservation lands.

Credit: UF/IFAS
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

The Little Manatee River is one of the least developed rivers in the Tampa area. From its origin in eastern Manatee and Hillsborough counties, this river flows 40 miles before it empties into Tampa Bay.

Calusa and Timucuan Indian sites are abundant along the Manatee River. The highly developed river begins its trek to Tampa Bay in the eastern Manatee County highlands and the flow is disrupted temporarily by the Manatee Dam.

The Myakka River flows 66 miles from Manatee County through Florida's largest state park, Myakka River State Park (Fig. 2). It continues its path through Sarasota County and empties into Charlotte Harbor. Like many of the rivers in the central region, the Myakka River is home to endangered manatees. The Heritage Trail region encompasses numerous bays and rivers and bordered by aquatic preserves - Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Terra Ceia Bay (Figure 2). The regional coastline is vegetated primarily with salt marsh to the north, and mangrove forests to the south.

Featured Natural Areas (see Table 2 for detailed list of Natural areas)

Jay B. Starkey Wildnerness Park supports pine flatwoods, sandhills, hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, freshwater marsh, river swamp, and wet prairie habitats. Nearly 150 species of birds have been reported in the park.

Oscar Scherer State Park consists of pine flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. The park is particularly well known for its Florida scrub jays.

Withlacoochee State Forest contains bottomland hardwoods and pine forest habitats. Fox squirrels are common in some areas.

Hillsborough River State Park includes 2,990 acres located along the Hillsborough River. The park includes river swamps, oak hammocks, and pine flatwoods. Located in a urban area, this park provides important habitat for resident and migratory wildlife.

Crystal River State Buffer Preserve stretches from the Withlacoochee River to the Homosassa River in coastal Citrus County, encompassing a wide variety of natural communities. These include scrub, flatwoods, upland mixed forest, and prairie hammocks.

Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental Area in Hernando County features sandhills, freshwater marshes and prairies, hardwood hammocks, and the second-largest contiguous tract of old growth longleaf pine in Florida. Gopher tortoises inhabit the sandhills areas, while many species of frogs and salamanders find refuge in Mays Prairie.

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge provides a place for approximately 250 species of birds, over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, and at least 25 different species of mammals. This refuge consists of marshlands, swamp lands, shallow bays, and tidal streams.

Tampa Bay National Estuary encompasses 400 square miles. Estuaries like Tampa Bay are nurseries for young fish, shrimp, and crabs. As many as 40,000 pairs of birds--from the familiar brown pelican to the colorful roseate spoonbill--nest in Tampa Bay every year.

Cultural History

Modern development has changed much of the waterways in central west Florida, as there is evidence of human inhabitants for over 10,000 years. Calusa and Timucuan Indians lived here in ancient times, leaving behind shell middens and burial mounds, and more recently, Seminole Indians resided here, naming the Hillsborough river Lockcha-popka-chiska meaning, “river where one crosses to eat acorns.”

Reflecting the history of the region, many of Florida's rivers hold names of Indian or Spanish origin. The Indian translation for Withlacoochee means “great little water” and the Myakka translates as “big water.” Central west Florida was one of the first places explored by Spanish conquistadors. In 1539 Hernando de Soto arrived on Florida's southwest coast with 600 soldiers, sent by the King of Spain to explore, colonize, and conquer the Indians in the area which was then known as “La Florida.” The resultant four-year, 4,000 mile journey was the first large-scale European mission into the interior of North America. Bradenton's De Soto National Monument is a testimonial to de Soto's mission and to his efforts in the name of Spain.

Modern historical landmarks also occur along the waterways. The Hillsborough River has over 246 historical structures, most found along Tampa's Historic District. Historical sites emphasize the importance of central west Florida's rivers to humans throughout history.

Additional Information

Published Resources

Allen, G.M. and M.B. Main. 2005. Florida's Geological History. Fact Sheet WEC 189, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Carter, E. F., L. Glaros, and D. Sphar 1985. A Canoeing And Kayaking Guide To The Streams Of Florida, Volume II, Central And South Peninsula. Menasha Ridge Press, Birmingham, Alabama.

Cerulean, S. and A. Morrow. 1998.Florida Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon Publishing. Helena, MT.

Fernald, E. A. and E. D. Prudum, eds. 1998. Water Resources Atlas of Florida. Institute of Science and Public Affairs. Tallahassee, FL.

Florida Department of Natural Resources. 1989. Florida Rivers Assessment. Florida Department of Natural Resources. Tallahassee, FL.

Gannon, M., ed. 1996. The New History of Florida. Univ. Press of Florida. Gainesville, FL.

Karim, A. and M.B. Main. 2004. Tropical Hardwood Hammocks in Florida. Fact Sheet WEC 181, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Kavanagh, J. ed. 1997. The Nature of Florida : An Introduction to Common Plants & Animals & Natural Attractions (Field Guides Series) Waterford Press, Phoenix, AZ.

Kleinberg, E. 1997. Historical Traveler's Guide to Florida. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL.

Laurie M., and D. Bardon. 1998. Florida's Museums and Cultural Attractions. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL.

Main M.B., and G.M. Allen. 2005. Florida State Symbols. Circular 1467, Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Main M.B. , M.E. Swisher, J. Mullahey, W. DeBusk, A. J. Shriar, G. W. Tanner, J. Selph, P. Hogue, P. Bohlen and G. M. Allen. 2004. The Ecology and Economics of Florida's Ranches. Fact Sheet WEC 187, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu

Main M.B., and G.W. Tanner. 1999. Effects of Fire on Florida's Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat. Fact Sheet WEC 137, Department of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

Meyers, Ronald L. & John J. Ewel, eds. 1990. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press. Orlando, FL.

Milanich, J. T. 1998. Florida Indians from Ancient Times to the Present. University of Florida Press. Gainesville, FL.

Milanich, Jerald T. 1995. Florida Indians and the Invasion from Europe. University of Florida Press. Gainesville, FL.

Ohr, T. 1998. Florida's Fabulous Natural Places. World Publications, Tampa, FL.

Perry, I. M. 1998. Indian Mounds You Can Visit: 165 Aboriginal Sites on Florida's West Coast. Great Outdoors Pub Co., St. Petersburg, FL.

Perry J., and J. G. Perry 1992. The Sierra Club Guide to the Natural Areas of Florida. Sierra Club Books, San Francisco, CA.

Ripple, J. 1997. Florida: The Natural Wonders. Voyageur Press, Osceola, WI.

Stamm D., and D. R. Stamm. 1998. The Springs of Florida. Pineapple Press, Sarasota, FL.

Walton, C. K., and J. Kohl. 2000. Adventure Guide to Tampa Bay & Florida's West Coast Hunter Publishing, Walpole, ME.

Winsberg, M. D. 1997. Florida's History Through Its Places: Properties in the National Register of Historic Places, University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.

Online Resources

Central Gulf Coast Archeological Society, http://www.cgcas.org/

Florida Division of Historical Resources, http://www.flheritage.com/

Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission Wildlife Viewing Sites, http://www.myfwc.com/recreation/View_index.htm

Florida's Historic Places, http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/florida/lessons/places.htm

Florida's Museum of Natural History, http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/

Florida Natural Areas Inventory, http://www.fnai.org

Florida's Scenic Highways, http://www.floridascenichighways.com/

Florida State Parks, http://www.floridastateparks.org/

Florida Water Management Districts, http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/fgils/wmd.html

P.K. Yonge Library of Florida History, http://web.uflib.ufl.edu/spec/pkyonge/index.html

Taino Timucua Tribal Web Page, http://www.hartford-hwp.com/Timucua/index.html

Touring the Georgia-Florida Coast, http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/geo-flor/g-fintro.htm

Visit Florida, http://www.visitflorida.com

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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