Florida scrub

Coordinates: 28°00′N 81°45′W / 28°N 81.75°W / 28; -81.75

Florida scrub is an endangered subtropical forest ecoregion found in northern Florida in the United States. It is found on coastal and inland sand ridges and is characterized by a evergreen xeromorphic plant community dominated by shrubs and dwarf oaks. Because the low-nutrient sandy soils do not retain moisture, the ecosystem is effectively an arid one. Wildfires infrequently occur in the Florida scrub. Most of the annual rainfall (about 135 cm or 53 in) falls in summer. It is endangered by residential, commercial and agricultural development, with the largest remaining block in and around the Ocala National Forest. Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge also holds a high proportion of remaining scrub habitat, while the Archbold Biological Station near Lake Placid contains about 20 km² (7.7 sq mi) of scrub habitat and sponsors biological research on it.

Plant communities

There is a high level of endemism in the flora and fauna, including an estimated 40 species of plants, 4 vertebrates and at least 46 species of arthropod found nowhere else.

Florida scrub jay

The Florida scrub jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is one of the species of scrub jay native to North America. It is the only species of bird endemic to the U.S. state of Florida and one of only 15 species endemic to the continental United States. Because of this, it is heavily sought by birders who travel from across the country to observe this unique species. It is known to have been present in Florida as a distinct species for at least 2 million years, and is possibly derived from the ancestors of Woodhouse's scrub jay, the inland forms of the western scrub jay.

It measures 23 to 28 cm (9.1 to 11.0 in) in length, and weighs from 66 to 92 g (2.3 to 3.2 oz), with an average 80.2 g (2.83 oz). The wingspan of the jay is 33–36 cm (13–14 in). It has a strong black bill, blue head and nape without a crest, a whitish forehead and supercilium, blue bib, blue wings, grayish underparts, gray back, long blue tail, black legs and feet.

Ecology

The Florida scrub jay is found only in Florida scrub habitat, an ecosystem that exists only in central Florida and is characterized by nutrient-poor soil, occasional drought, and frequent wildfires. Because of its somewhat harsh weather pattern, this habitat is host to a small assortment of very specific plants, including sand pine, sand live oak, myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, sandhill oak, Florida rosemary and various other hardy plants such as Eastern prickly pear.

Florida

Florida ⁱ/ˈflɒrɪdə/ (Spanish for "flowery land") is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. The state is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south by the Straits of Florida and the country of Cuba. Florida is the 22nd most extensive, the 3rd most populous, and the 8th most densely populated of the United States. Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. The Miami metropolitan area is the eighth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Tallahassee is the state capital.

A peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida, it has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km), and is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the state is at or near sea level and is characterized by sedimentary soil. The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. The American alligator, American crocodile, Florida panther, and manatee can be found in the Everglades National Park.

Florida, Buenos Aires

Florida (officially Florida Este) is a mostly residential barrio of the Vicente López Partido in the northern suburbs of Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is principally a middle-class neighbourhood and is located between the barrios of Olivos and Vicente López, also in the same partido (department).

Location

The city is located between The Autopista Pascual Palazzo (mostly known as "Panamericana" or "Acceso Norte") highway and the Maipú Avenue. The Acceso Norte splits the district into two neighborhoods: Florida Este (from Panamericana to Maipú Avenue) and Florida Oeste (from Panamericana to De los Constituyentes Avenue).

Florida is served by the Mitre Line, which provides easy access to the city of Buenos Aires. Due to the railway lines, Este and Oeste neighborhoods are also called "Florida Mitre" or "Florida Belgrano". Its main commercial area is centered on General San Martín avenue.

History

Florida was founded in 1891 when the Buenos Aires and Rosario Railway opened a station in the section from Belgrano that then reached Bartolomé Mitre, Borges and San Isidro. Some versions state that the station (and subsequently the village) was named "Florida" to commemorate a victory over Spanish army in the Paraje La Florida of Alto Perú on May 25, 1814, during the War of Independence.

Florida (Barcelona Metro)

Florida (Catalan pronunciation: [fɫuˈɾiðə]) is a Barcelona Metro station, in the L'Hospitalet de Llobregat municipality of the Barcelona metropolitan area, and named after the nearby La Florida neighbourhood. The station is served by line L1.

The station is located below the Avinguda Catalunya, between the Carrer Ceravalls and Carrer Mimoses. It has two entrances, from the Placa Blocs Florida and the Avinguda Masnou, which serve an underground ticket hall. The two 98-metre (322 ft) long side platforms are at a lower level.

The station opened in 1987, when line L1 was extended from Torrassa station to Avinguda Carrilet station.

See also

References

External links

Media related to Florida metro station at Wikimedia Commons