South Florida
Nature Trails
Naples and Sanibel Island
Corkscrew
Swamp Sanctuary
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Soon the Trail begins to lead you into the Pond Cypress Swamp. If you stop and look up, you get a feeling of being engulfed by the surrounding tall trees. |
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Here we can see the lush foliage and wet environment of the swamp. Air Plant are in almost every tree. The murky waters of the swamp are nutrient rich.
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The Cypress
knees are the roots of the Cypress trees. They rise above the water to
get oxygen. The water level of the swamp actually determines the root
height. Strap Ferns are seen growing on top of the roots. |
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Many different kinds of Air Plants, Mosses, and Lichens cover the trees in a Swamp. They provide cover for small animals and insects. They derive all the nutrients they need from falling rain water and do not hurt to host tree. |
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