Tropical Hardwood Hammock

FIURolando · 9. Tropical Hardwood Hammocks Are

The Tropical Hardwood Hammock is a hardwood forest dominated by evergreen, semi-deciduous trees and shrubs. Hardwood trees create a closed, dense canopy that provides a lot of shade and cooler temperatures with more humidity. The forest floor is largely composed of fallen leaf litter from the trees, which provides nutrients for the soil after they have decomposed. Native flora that populates the hardwood hammock includes the Live Oak, Gumbo-Limbo, Strangler Fig, and Silver Buttonwood. A diverse array of small wildlife present includes foxes, blue jays, squirrels, hummingbirds, spiders, cardinals, and the rare eastern indigo snake. Larger wildlife like the key deer may also reside in hardwood hammocks.