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distribution of the non-indigenous invasive Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in southern Florida: The relationship to abiotic and biotic variables

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Date Issued:
2002
Summary:
Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium microphyllum is an aggressive nonindigenous plant that is on the verge of becoming a major ecological threat in South Florida. Currently, specific habitat characteristics that contribute to success or failure of its establishment are unknown. I studied the pattern of distribution of the fern in Florida's Big Cypress Swamp. Two similar forested wetland sites with high incidence of L. microphyllum infestation were assessed in order to identify broad-scale hydrological and physiographic conditions that may favor high susceptibility to L. microphyllum invasion. On each site, species richness, abundance and distribution of herbs, shrubs and trees were characterized. In addition, several parameters including elevation, substrate depth, percentage substrate water content, percentage substrate organic content, substrate texture, and photosynthetically active radiation were quantified. The patterns of distribution of L. microphyfum indicated that presence of the fern was dependent on relatively low elevation, relatively deep substrate and moderately high substrate water content.
Title: The distribution of the non-indigenous invasive Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in southern Florida: The relationship to abiotic and biotic variables.
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Name(s): Stewart, Joy Elaine.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Volin, John C., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2002
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 62 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium microphyllum is an aggressive nonindigenous plant that is on the verge of becoming a major ecological threat in South Florida. Currently, specific habitat characteristics that contribute to success or failure of its establishment are unknown. I studied the pattern of distribution of the fern in Florida's Big Cypress Swamp. Two similar forested wetland sites with high incidence of L. microphyllum infestation were assessed in order to identify broad-scale hydrological and physiographic conditions that may favor high susceptibility to L. microphyllum invasion. On each site, species richness, abundance and distribution of herbs, shrubs and trees were characterized. In addition, several parameters including elevation, substrate depth, percentage substrate water content, percentage substrate organic content, substrate texture, and photosynthetically active radiation were quantified. The patterns of distribution of L. microphyfum indicated that presence of the fern was dependent on relatively low elevation, relatively deep substrate and moderately high substrate water content.
Identifier: 9780493547503 (isbn), 12890 (digitool), FADT12890 (IID), fau:9764 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2002.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Ferns--Florida
Lygodium
Ecosystem management
Invasive plants--Florida
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12890
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.