The charred remains of scrub oaks, saw palmetto and other shrubby plants mark this part of Seabranch. An occasional fire is essential to the health of most habitats as it clears out the old and makes room for the new. In nature, lighting provides the spark, so to speak, but in a smaller park like Seabranch Preserve, counting on Mother Nature isn't practical, so managers turn to prescribed burns. Even that is difficult in a small, fairly urban setting like Seabranch, but park managers were able to do it here. Most of these plants are adapted to fire and will grow back over time, protected by their deep roots.
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