APPENDIX V - ACCEPTABLE SITE INDEX.pdf

Appendix V is a document from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) listing acceptable site index tree species for the 2024-2025 South Florida Forest Inventory Project. The appendix provides a standardized reference for four pine tree species used in forest inventory assessments: Longleaf Pine (LL), Slash Pine (SA), Loblolly Pine (LP), and South Florida Slash Pine (SSL). Each species is documented with its scientific name, common name, and a corresponding three-letter code, which will likely be used in field data collection and reporting for the forest inventory project across Picayune Strand State Forest, Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest, and Babcock Ranch Preserve.

The tree species list is a critical technical component of the forest inventory project, enabling consistent species identification and classification during the systematic plot surveys. By establishing a predefined list of acceptable pine species, FDACS ensures standardized data collection methodology, which supports accurate timber stand assessment, forest management planning, and potentially informs future conservation and resource management strategies. The appendix reflects the project's focus on Florida's native pine ecosystems, with particular emphasis on variants specific to the South Florida region, such as the South Florida Slash Pine.