ABSTRACT
In Florida, agriculture is a main part of the economy, with different crops in different soils and climatic zones. Because of the easily leached sandy soils in much of north and central Florida, tree crops and pastures for cattle are more effective than row crops in holding soils. An agroecosystem is a domesticated ecosystem in which humans operate as managers and consumers, replacing the animals that consume and manage in the wild ecosystems. In central Florida, south of the worst killing frosts and centered among the many lakes and sandy hillsides, are the extensive orange and grapefruit groves that produce Florida's major export crop. Sugarcane is grown along the south shore of Lake Okeechobee on wet peatlands which were drained. Cattle ranching have been important for a hundred years in Florida, which is now second only to Texas in the number of ranches. Ranch cattle are moved to feed lots for fattening on grain to generate high-priced luxury meat cuts.
