Cypress dome facts for kids

A cypress dome is a special kind of swamp found in the southeastern United States. It's a freshwater wetland covered in trees. These areas are mostly filled with bald cypress and pond cypress trees.

The name "cypress dome" comes from how the treetops look. Smaller trees grow at the edges where the water is shallow. Taller trees grow in the middle where the water is deeper. This creates a dome shape when you look at them from afar. Most cypress domes look like a circle from above. But if the center is very deep, they might look like a donut! Cypress domes are usually smaller than other swamps. Their size depends on how deep the water is.

A cypress dome in the background

Cypress domes form when pond cypress trees grow in shallow standing water. The ground in the middle of the dome is often lower than at the edges. But the trees grow much better in the center. This makes the treetops higher in the middle than at the edges.

Where are Cypress Domes Found?

Cypress domes are found in the southeastern part of the United States. They grow in flat areas called the Gulf coastal plain and southern Atlantic coastal plain. You can find them in states like Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

These domes are the most common type of swamp in Florida. They are very common in Central Florida. You can also find them in other parts of Florida north of the Florida Keys. Some cypress domes in South Florida, especially near the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, have different kinds of tropical plants growing beneath the trees.

How Water Moves in Cypress Domes

The water levels in dome swamps change naturally. They depend on how much rain falls each season. Most of their water comes from rain running off the land around them. Sometimes, water from underground, called groundwater, also affects them. Groundwater is especially important during dry times.

Cypress domes can also help refill underground water sources. They act like natural water storage tanks. Water usually stays in a dome swamp for about 180 to 270 days each year. The water is deepest and stays the longest in the center of the dome. Long periods of dry or wet weather greatly affect how new cypress trees grow. Adult cypress trees can handle being underwater for a long time. However, their seeds cannot sprout underwater and might not survive.

Why Fire is Important for Cypress Domes

Cypress swamps are part of natural areas that need fire to stay healthy. Fire is very important for keeping these communities strong and diverse. Without regular fires, cypress trees might not be the main type of tree anymore.

Cypress trees can survive small fires because they have thick bark that resists fire. These small fires help clear out other plants that can't handle fire. This makes more room for cypress trees to grow. But very big fires that burn deep into the ground can harm cypress trees. This is especially true if there haven't been fires for a long time.

Catastrophic wildfires can change the ground and turn a dome swamp into a different type of wetland. For example, it could become a wet grassland or a shrub bog. Fires happen most often along the edges of the dome. They happen less often closer to the center. At the edge, fires might occur every three to five years. In the center, it could be 100 to 150 years between fires. Cypress domes tend to have more natural fires than larger cypress forests. This is because their water levels change more often. Fire patterns affect how well cypress domes provide important services. These services include storing carbon and holding water.

Plants and Animals in Cypress Domes

Plants

Many different plant species live in cypress domes. Here are some of them:

Animals

Dome swamps are important places for many animals to live and have their babies. Some rare animals, like flatwoods salamanders, white ibis, and wood storks, breed here. Other animals you might find include:

• Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus)
• Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi)
• Florida sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis pratensis)
• American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
• Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)
• Striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus)
• Carolina gopher frog (Lithobates capito)
• Ornate chorus frog (Pseudacris ornata)
• Similar cebrionid beetle (Selonodon similis)

Threats to Cypress Domes

The biggest threats to cypress swamps come from people. Human activities can harm these areas in many ways. These include changing how water flows, cutting down too many trees, adding too many nutrients, pollution from farms, and the spread of invasive species.

When land around cypress domes is turned into cities, farms, or pastures, it can stop natural fires from happening. It also changes how water moves in the domes. Changing the water levels can make it hard for native plants and animals to reproduce. It can also make it easier for invasive species to take over. Invasive species are plants and animals that are not native to the area. They can harm native species by competing for sunlight, food, and space.

People have been cutting down cypress trees for timber since the late 1800s. Cutting down trees too quickly makes it hard for new trees to grow back. This makes cypress domes very vulnerable.

Also, some dome swamps are used to treat wastewater. This can add extra nutrients, organic matter, and minerals to the swamp. This can cause too many water plants to grow. It can also lower the oxygen in the water and harm native animal populations. Dome swamps that get sewage might have higher water levels and more plant litter.

Images for kids

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  Cypress dome with Alligator - G.Gardner