Why do so many plant and animal species live only in Florida scrub?
The reason: this habitat has an unusual blend of challenges and opportunities, and some plants and animals are specialized to meet these challenges and take advantage of these opportunities. Life in Florida scrub is complicated, as it is everywhere else. However, the combination of scrub s distinctive features and history make it exceptional: First, sand is ideal for animals that dig. Many of these animals require deep, well-drained soil or are dependent on hosts that, in turn, depend on the characteristics of scrub soil. While sand provides opportunities for digging animals, their natural enemies also move easily through sand and are a constant threat. Second, while fires are a hazard for scrub plants and animals, they also provide opportunities for a new start in less crowded conditions. Most scrub plants are adapted to fire and can resprout or reseed. The sand can act as a bank, storing viable seeds, sometimes for decades, until the conditions are right for germination. Sometimes se
