A cypress dome is a type of freshwater forested wetland, or a swamp, found in the southeastern part of the United States. They are dominated by the Taxodium spp., either the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), or pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens). The name comes from the dome-like shape of treetops, formed by smaller trees growing on the edge where the water is shallow while taller trees grow at the center in deeper water. They usually appear as circular, but if the center is too deep, they form a “doughnut” shape when viewed from above.[1][2] Cypress domes are characteristically small compared to other swamps, however they can occur at a range of sizes, dependent on the depth.
Cypress domes form when pond cypress grow in shallow standing water. The ground level in the center of the dome may be several inches to a few feet lower than at the edge of the dome, but tree growth is more vigorous at the center of the dome.[3] Thus, the treetops are higher at the center than at the edge of the dome.[4][2]
- ^ "Comprehensive Report Ecological System - South Florida Cypress Dome". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 2018-12-06.
- ^ a b "Dome Swamp" (PDF). Florida Natural Areas Inventory. June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13.
- ^ Korhnak, Larry V.; Riekerk, Hans (2000-09-01). "The hydrology of cypress wetlands in Florida pine flatwoods". Wetlands. 20 (3): 448–460. doi:10.1672/0277-5212(2000)020[0448:THOCWI]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1943-6246. S2CID 1609355.
- ^ "Types of Florida Swamps". University of Florida. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2009-05-19.