Gopher Tortoise: Keystone Species

The Gopher Tortoise

Can a tortoise save hundreds of species living in an ecosystem?

• Longleaf pine scrubland is adapted to fire.
• Without fire, the major tree species can't form pine cones.
• Fire burns off invasive plants and grasses.
• Native plants and animals have evolved to survive fire.
• Without fire, the ecosystem would be destroyed.

• Large animals outrun the fires, but small animals can't.

• They depend on the burrowing gopher tortoise to keep them safe.

Tortoise burrows

The tortoise digs an extensive system of tunnels and burrows where it hides from fire.More than 350 other species of animals also depend on the burrows to survie the fires.

controlled burns

People live in this ecosystem now, and wildfires are prevented to save their homes. To keep the land healthy while protecting people, the fires are intentionally set and controlled by the State Forest Service.

Before the burn

Leaves, needles, dry wood, and nonnative plants begin to build up and crowd out the native species.

Photos taken by Miss Edgerton on the state land next to her home in Florida.

It looks as though the plants and trees are destroyed.

After the Burn

Photos taken by Miss Edgerton on the state land next to her home in Florida.

Ina few months, the vegetation and ecosystem looks fully recovered.

A new Ecosystem

Photos taken by Miss Edgerton on the state land next to her home in Florida.

This keystone species ensures the survival of this biodiverse ecosystem.