Southeast Domain

The NEON Southeast Domain contains the southern portions of the Gulf Coast states, half of South Carolina, and all of Florida except for the southern tip. The candidate core site for Domain 3 is hosted at the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station in north-central Florida. The research focus for the domain is land use, and Ordway-Swisher anchors the southeastern point in the NEON forest management research gradient (which also includes companion sites in the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest). Ordway-Swisher features diverse natural forests, small pine plantations, a range of wildlife species that reflects the area’s ecological communities, and a 75-year history of low human impact. Its lakes, ponds, and water systems will also support NEON hydrologic studies.

Domain: Southeast (Domain #3)

Science Focus: Land use.

Candidate Core Site Name: Ordway-Swisher Biological Station

Representativeness: The site is situated about midway between the northern-most and southern-most points in Domain 3. It contains a rich array of biological communities, including a diversity of natural forests and small pine plantations, and wildlife species characteristic of the different ecological communities in the region.

Location: Gainesville, FL; Latitude: 29.690; Longitude: -81.994.

Existing Infrastructure: Housing and laboratory facilities; utilities and power; direct road access from the Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando areas.