Florida dry prairie

It was originally found on the plains near the Kissimmee River and Fisheating Creek connected to Lake Okeechobee, but conversion to agriculture and pasture have reduced its range.

[1][2] Dry prairie was once the dominant grassland endemic to central Florida, from the western shore of Lake Okeechobee and extending northeast into Osceola County.

[1] The increased settlement and growing population of Florida in the early 20th century came with expanded agriculture and the conversion of dry prairie to farmland.

[4] Historically, this system experienced fire intervals of 1-4 years, allowing fire-adapting vegetation to grow and maintaining the treeless landscape.

As the settlement of Florida expanded, fire suppression became common practice to prevent damage to homes and agriculture.