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Determining vegetative complexity, biodiversity and species richness on tree islands of the northern Everglades

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Date Issued:
2006
Summary:
Loss of species richness and vegetative biodiversity in the Greater Everglades Area is in large part due to human encroachment and compartmentalization causing altered hydroperiods, water levels and surface sheet flow. This study quantifies vegetative complexity, biodiversity and species richness on four tree islands within a near pristine area of the historical northern Everglades ecosystem. A Complexity Index (CI) was formulated by assessing multiple variables; high CI and low herbaceous species richness values are attributed to mature, late successional stage forests. There are structural and population differences on each of the tree islands studied with the more mature tree islands located in the south of the study area, the more disturbed, low CI valued sites to the north. Data from this study is to be used as a baseline study for the area, and will be used to test and track the effects of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Title: Determining vegetative complexity, biodiversity and species richness on tree islands of the northern Everglades.
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Name(s): Day, Irving M., IV.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Gallagher, Jacqueline, Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2006
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 180 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Loss of species richness and vegetative biodiversity in the Greater Everglades Area is in large part due to human encroachment and compartmentalization causing altered hydroperiods, water levels and surface sheet flow. This study quantifies vegetative complexity, biodiversity and species richness on four tree islands within a near pristine area of the historical northern Everglades ecosystem. A Complexity Index (CI) was formulated by assessing multiple variables; high CI and low herbaceous species richness values are attributed to mature, late successional stage forests. There are structural and population differences on each of the tree islands studied with the more mature tree islands located in the south of the study area, the more disturbed, low CI valued sites to the north. Data from this study is to be used as a baseline study for the area, and will be used to test and track the effects of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Identifier: 9780542576072 (isbn), 13332 (digitool), FADT13332 (IID), fau:10182 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Swamp ecology--Florida--Everglades
Tree islands--Florida--Everglades
Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades
Tree island ecology--Florida--Everglades
Plant ecology--Florida--Everglades
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13332
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.