In some areas, such as in Florida, 40 to 60 percent of the plant and animal species are native to or characteristic of the scrub forest. As a result, concerted efforts are underway to preserve the scrub regions. Studies have shown that some scrub areas enjoy the highest density of transient avian migrants. These regions are thus very valuable as "hotels" and "motels" for birds as they migrate. The Seminole State Forest in Florida contains over 1,700 acres of sand pine scrub. This rapidly vanishing natural resource once covered much of Florida. Islands of sand pine scrub are the habitats for threatened species such as the Florida black bear, eastern indigo snake and scrub jay. Several tree species are endemic to California's chaparral region. These are the Monterey cypress, Torrey pine, Monterey pine and Bishop pine.
Hiking and backpacking trails often allow visitors to enjoy vanishing scrub forest areas and see the birds and wildlife without harming the habitat. In addition to hiking and backpacking trails, Florida's Seminole State Forest 27,000 acre site has primitive campsites for hikes only as well as bike trails and horse trails. The endangered Florida Scrub Jay has been spotted in this forest. Northern Florida is the home of the Ocala National Forest, located between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns rivers. This national forest of about 383,000 acres protects the largest contiguous sand scrub forest in the country. Included in this forest are four major natural crystal springs where the water is always 72 degrees. California claims over 4.5 million acres of chaparral where the recreational usage is similar to Florida's.
Scrub forest has been destroyed in much of Florida and in California as well, because the same climate that produces scrub forest is well suited for growing citrus, grapes, avocados, almonds, walnuts and deciduous fruits. In some cases scrub forest can be used as grazing area, as long as the amount of livestock is carefully controlled to prevent overgrazing and destruction of scrub forest through erosion.
Scrub forest yields some forest products. The nature of scrub forests means the trees often will not be valuable for lumber. The trees are often small and twisted, but can be harvested for pulpwood. This is true of the Ocala National Forest in Florida where some 250,000 acres of sand pine (scrub pine) are managed. Some sand pine that are relatively straight are grown for Christmas trees.
