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Title: The distribution of the non-indigenous invasive Old World climbing fern, Lygodium microphyllum, in southern Florida: The relationship to abiotic and biotic variables.
Creator: Stewart, Joy Elaine., Florida Atlantic University, Volin, John C.
Abstract/Description: 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...
Show moreOld 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.
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Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12890
Subject Headings: Ferns--Florida, Lygodium, Ecosystem management, Invasive plants--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Hydrologic and topographic gradient effects on woody vegetation of tree islands in the Everglades Wildlife Management Area.
Creator: Anderson, Michael Robert., Florida Atlantic University, Volin, John C.
Abstract/Description: Water management in the Everglades has been a challenge for managing agencies for quite some time. Presently, restoration efforts are underway to reestablish natural hydrological patterns such as flow, depth, and hydroperiod. Tree island health is of particular concern because of its importance to the functional integrity of the greater Everglades ecosystem. This study was designed to determine the effects of different hydrological patterns and elevations on native woody vegetation on tree...
Show moreWater management in the Everglades has been a challenge for managing agencies for quite some time. Presently, restoration efforts are underway to reestablish natural hydrological patterns such as flow, depth, and hydroperiod. Tree island health is of particular concern because of its importance to the functional integrity of the greater Everglades ecosystem. This study was designed to determine the effects of different hydrological patterns and elevations on native woody vegetation on tree islands. The study site was the Everglades Wildlife Management Area (EWMA) in the north central Everglades. The study site was broken up into two hydrological zones: dry zone and moderately wet zone. It was found that both hydrology and relative elevation were important predictors of woody species diversity and density. Average hydroperiod and ponding depth were the best sole predictors explaining up to 50% of the woody vegetation variability found within the tail and fringe community as well as the whole tree island.
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Date Issued: 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12709
Subject Headings: Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades, Woody plants--Florida--Everglades, Everglades Wildlife Management Area (Fla )
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Development of a remote sensing technique for woody vegetation in Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area.
Creator: Franklin, Sarah., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lacks a viable method for monitoring woody vegetation in expansive wetland communities, such as the Florida Everglades. This study used aerial photographs of Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Palm Beach County, Florida to develop techniques for remotely monitoring changes in woody vegetation. Imagery from 2006, 2008, and 2010 were classified into woody and non-woody categories using Adobe Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool....
Show moreThe Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission lacks a viable method for monitoring woody vegetation in expansive wetland communities, such as the Florida Everglades. This study used aerial photographs of Rotenberger Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Palm Beach County, Florida to develop techniques for remotely monitoring changes in woody vegetation. Imagery from 2006, 2008, and 2010 were classified into woody and non-woody categories using Adobe Photoshop's Magic Wand Tool. Selection was performed with a bias toward over classification, as project objectives required identifying as many trees as possible. Classified pixels in Time 1 within 4 feet (2 pixels) of classified pixels from Time 2 were considered the same canopy. Overall accuracy for the study was 98%.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3175018
Subject Headings: Environmental monitoring, Remote sensing, Vegetation dynamics, Ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A review of the colonization dynamics of the northern curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus Carinatus Armouri) in Florida.
Creator: Smith, Henry T., Engeman, Richard M.
Date Issued: 2004-09
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/11527
Subject Headings: Lizards--Florida, Lizards--Reproduction, Reptiles--Florida, Ecosystem management--Florida, Curlytail lizards
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Limitations on macroinvertebrate populations in South Florida weltands.
Creator: Knorp, Natalie E., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: It can be difficult to disentangle the factors that determine population success in freshwater systems, particularly for organisms with disturbance-resistant life stages like aquatic invertebrates. Nevertheless, the effects of environmental variation and habitat structure on animal population success in wetlands are important for understanding both trophic interactions and biodiversity. I performed two experiments to determine the factors limiting crayfish (Procambarus fallax) and dragonfly ...
Show moreIt can be difficult to disentangle the factors that determine population success in freshwater systems, particularly for organisms with disturbance-resistant life stages like aquatic invertebrates. Nevertheless, the effects of environmental variation and habitat structure on animal population success in wetlands are important for understanding both trophic interactions and biodiversity. I performed two experiments to determine the factors limiting crayfish (Procambarus fallax) and dragonfly (Family: Libellulidae) populations in wetland environments. A simulation of a dry-disturbance and subsequent sunfish (Family: Centrarchidae) re-colonization revealed that crayfish populations are sensitive to sunfish, while dragonfly naiads seemed to be limited by other drying-related factors. A second manipulation revealed that small-bodied fishes and habitat structure (submerged vegetation) shaped dragonfly communities primarily through postcolonization processes.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3362485
Subject Headings: Wetland ecology, Wildlife conservation, Freshwater invertebrates, Ecology, Predation (Biology), Marine ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Establishing Spatiotemporal Linkages Between Hydrological and Soil Physical Characteristics and Vegetation on an Ecological Preserve: Boca Raton, FL.
Creator: Leung, Tania, Root, Tara L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: In recent decades, ecohydrology has received renewed attention because of the impacts of groundwater withdrawal on ecosystems. Growing population and urban expansion in Palm Beach County, FL. place pressure to eradicate natural areas, such as Florida scrub habitats, and increase groundwater withdrawal. This study presents preliminary results of soil and hydrological characterization of an ecological preserve surrounded by changing land use. Soil moisture and water levels were monitored to...
Show moreIn recent decades, ecohydrology has received renewed attention because of the impacts of groundwater withdrawal on ecosystems. Growing population and urban expansion in Palm Beach County, FL. place pressure to eradicate natural areas, such as Florida scrub habitats, and increase groundwater withdrawal. This study presents preliminary results of soil and hydrological characterization of an ecological preserve surrounded by changing land use. Soil moisture and water levels were monitored to assess the effects of precipitation as influenced by plants and soil analysis determined the suitability of current soil conditions for hosting native vegetation habitats. Hydrologic and soil conditions on the preserve fall within values expected for native Florida scrub habitats. Hydrologic response to precipitation varied due to factors including antecedent conditions and vegetation types. These results provide a better understanding of the interactions between soil proper ties, hydrologic cycle, and plants, and assist with establishing a baseline to monitor changes over time.
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Date Issued: 2015
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004516
Subject Headings: Ecosystem management, Environmental geography -- Florida -- Boca Raton, Hydrodynamics, Wetland conservation -- Florida -- Boca Raton
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Conservation and Phylogeny of a Novel Family of Non‐Hox Genes of the Antp Class in Demospongiae (Porifera).
Creator: Richelle-Maurer, Evelyn, Boury-Esnault, Nicole, Itskovich, Valeria B., Manuel, Michael, Pomponi, Shirley A., Van de Vyver, Gisele, Borchiellini, Carole
Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2796095
Subject Headings: Demospongiae, Homeobox genes, Marine ecosystem management, Phylogeny, Sponges --Bahamas, Sponges --Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Ecosystem health and environmental influences on innate immune function in the loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtle.
Creator: Sposato, Patricia L., Milton, Sarah L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles recruit to nearshore environments as juveniles. These often degraded habitats are associated with emerging diseases such as green turtle fibropapillomatosis (GTFP), however there are few studies on immune function in sea turtles. The objective of this research was to quantify phagocytosis of the innate immune system by flow cytometry and compare levels between animals from a degraded habitat (the Indian River Lagoon, FL) to a...
Show moreLoggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles recruit to nearshore environments as juveniles. These often degraded habitats are associated with emerging diseases such as green turtle fibropapillomatosis (GTFP), however there are few studies on immune function in sea turtles. The objective of this research was to quantify phagocytosis of the innate immune system by flow cytometry and compare levels between animals from a degraded habitat (the Indian River Lagoon, FL) to a more pristine environment (the Trident Basin, Port Canaveral, FL), and across a range of temperatures. While in vitro temperatures did not alter rates of phagocytosis, it was higher in samples obtained in the summer than winter. Rates of phagocytosis in sea turtles with GTFP and from degraded environments with increased prevalence of GTFP were low compared to animals from the more pristine environment, suggesting that the environment can alter innate immunological function and thus contribute to the development of disease.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004333, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004333
Subject Headings: Developmental biology, Ecosystem management -- Florida, Loggerhead turtle -- Habitat -- Environmental aspects, Marine biodiversity conservation, Sea turtles -- Immunology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Phosphate-associated phenotype plasticity as a driver of cattail invasion in the sawgass-dominated Everglades.
Creator: Webb, James., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: In plants, phenotypic plasticity, the ability to morphologically adapt to new or broad environmental conditions, is a consequence of long-term evolutionary genetic processes. Thus, plants adapted to low phosphate (P) environments exhibit only limited plasticity to take advantage of nutrient enrichment, a global phenomenon in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In the face of anthropogenic P-enrichment, low nutrient adapted resident plant species are frequently displaced by species with high...
Show moreIn plants, phenotypic plasticity, the ability to morphologically adapt to new or broad environmental conditions, is a consequence of long-term evolutionary genetic processes. Thus, plants adapted to low phosphate (P) environments exhibit only limited plasticity to take advantage of nutrient enrichment, a global phenomenon in terrestrial and aquatic environments. In the face of anthropogenic P-enrichment, low nutrient adapted resident plant species are frequently displaced by species with high morphological and genetic plasticity. However, it remains unclear whether plasticity is systemically expressed across molecular, biochemical, physiological, and morphological processes that ultimately contribute to the root and shoot phenotypes of plants. In this study, we demonstrated high plasticity in root-borne traits of sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), the dominant plant species of the P-impoverished Everglades, and counter the idea of inflexibility in low P adapted species. However, sawgras s expressed inflexibility in processes contributing to shoot phenotypes, in contrast to cattail, which was highly plastic in shoot characteristics vii in response to P enrichment. In fact, plasticity in cattail shoots is likely a function of its growth response to P that was globally regulated by P-availability at the level of transcription. Plasticity and inflexibility in the growth of both species also diverged in their allocation of P to the chloroplast for growth in cattail versus the vacuole for P storage in sawgrass. In the Everglades, anthropogenic P-enrichment has changed the environment from a P-limited condition, where plasticity in root-borne traits of sawgrass was advantageous, to one of light-competition, where plasticity in shoot-borne traits drives competitive dominance by cattail., We hypothesize that these shifts in plasticity competitive advantage from root to shoots has been a major driver of cattail expansion in the Everglades ecosystem. Further, this understanding of how natural plant species adapt and shift in response to nutrient availability could also be used a model system to optimize agricultural systems to increase efficiencies in food production and protect low nutrient adapted natural systems from cultural eutrophication.
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Date Issued: 2010, 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2979377
Subject Headings: Ecosystem management, Vegatation dynamics, Phosphorous, Physiological transport, Biogeochemical cycles
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The cascading impacts of vegetation on peat soil properties and crayfish survival in the Florida everglades.
Creator: Chapman, Alexander, Benscoter, Brian, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Changes in vegetation may influence the quality and quantity of the underlying organic peat soils and have impacts on faunal populations. My goal was to determine whether shifts from native slough communities to invasive cattail in the Florida Everglades could affect peat characteristics that could cascade to impact the dry season survival of crayfish (Procambarus fallax). I contrasted peat soils from native slough and cattail-invaded sites as alternative dry-season burrowing substrates for...
Show moreChanges in vegetation may influence the quality and quantity of the underlying organic peat soils and have impacts on faunal populations. My goal was to determine whether shifts from native slough communities to invasive cattail in the Florida Everglades could affect peat characteristics that could cascade to impact the dry season survival of crayfish (Procambarus fallax). I contrasted peat soils from native slough and cattail-invaded sites as alternative dry-season burrowing substrates for crayfish. Cattail peat had higher average bulk density and inorganic content within the first ten centimeters of the soil profile. Crayfish showed marginally greater initial burrowing success in slough peat than in cattail peat but survival was equivalent in both peat soils and high overall. Understanding these indirect linkages between vegetation and crayfish populations in the Everglades can provide insight on the consequences of plant invasion on ecosystem trophic dynamics.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004091, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004091
Subject Headings: Crayfish (Ecology), Ecosystem management, Everglades National Park (Fla.), Vegetation dynamics -- Florida -- Everglades National Park
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Studies of specific gene expression of phosphate transporters in sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense crantz) and cattail (Typha domingensis pers.).
Creator: Lin, Li, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: In the Florida Everglades, sawgrass has been displaced by cattail, predominantly resulting from phosphate enrichment. It has been found that phosphate transporters and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play an important role in phosphate uptake in the plants. This study aimed to reveal the symbiosis between AM fungi and sawgrass and cattail and identify the phosphate transporters, especially AM-specific phosphate transporters in these two species. AM colonization was only found in sawgrass...
Show moreIn the Florida Everglades, sawgrass has been displaced by cattail, predominantly resulting from phosphate enrichment. It has been found that phosphate transporters and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play an important role in phosphate uptake in the plants. This study aimed to reveal the symbiosis between AM fungi and sawgrass and cattail and identify the phosphate transporters, especially AM-specific phosphate transporters in these two species. AM colonization was only found in sawgrass roots, not cattail, at low phosphate concentrations in lab and field samples by trypan blue staining. AM fungi could increase sawgrass growth and had little effect on cattail growth. Four phosphate transporters were identified in sawgrass. CjPT1, CjPT2 and CjPT3 were expressed in roots and shoots independent of AM fungi and phosphate availability, while CjPT4 appeared to be an AM regulated phosphate transporter gene and its expression was induced by AM fungi.
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Date Issued: 2010
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1930493
Subject Headings: Phosphorus, Physiological transport, Soil stabilization, Vegetation dynamics, Ecosystem management, Soil mineralogy, Plant physiology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Mangrove Morphological Change Across an Environmental Gradients: Implications for Competitive Ability in a Changing Climate.
Creator: Standish, Hilary, Proffitt, C. Edward, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: In Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species...
Show moreIn Florida, mangroves have responded to climate change by slowly migrating northward into traditional salt marsh habitat. However, little is understood about the relationships among mangrove growth form plasticity and environmental conditions. In addition, the effects of the mangrove northward expansion on pre-existing salt marsh communities are unknown, especially any influences of differences in tree morphology. The size, canopy structure, and root structure of the three mangrove species Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa were measured at six sites along the east coast of Florida. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the multivariate relationships between environmental and biotic variables. Mangrove growth form varied widely with environmental variables. The results of this study suggest that R. mangle expansion into salt marsh may rely on interactions with salt marsh and shading as well as on climatic variables, which has implications for future mangrove expansion northward in Florida.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004759
Subject Headings: Mangrove forests--Florida., Mangrove management., Mangrove ecology., Mangrove conservation., Marine ecosystem management--Florida., Coastal zone management--Florida., Forest ecology., Climatic changes--Florida.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The combined effects of low salinity and Dermo on oysters from the St. Lucie Estuary.
Creator: Baird, Krystal D., Florida Atlantic University, Roesijadi, Guritno
Abstract/Description: The viability of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is designated as an ecological performance measure for the management of freshwater inflows to the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida. Thus, oysters derived from the St. Lucie Estuary were tested for their physiological response to stress, measured as altered condition index and RNA/DNA ratios, resulting from changes in salinity and infection by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus, the agent of Dermo, a common oyster disease. Pilot...
Show moreThe viability of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is designated as an ecological performance measure for the management of freshwater inflows to the St. Lucie Estuary, Florida. Thus, oysters derived from the St. Lucie Estuary were tested for their physiological response to stress, measured as altered condition index and RNA/DNA ratios, resulting from changes in salinity and infection by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus, the agent of Dermo, a common oyster disease. Pilot studies consisted of the development of a real-time PCR-based assay for P. marinus infection, procedures to infect oysters with the pathogen by injection method and procedures for the measurement of RNA/DNA ratios. The general experimental design was to assess the response of non-injected and injected C. virginica to low salinity challenges. Two scenarios for salinity stress were tested: one in which oysters were subjected to a single reduction in salinity and one in which an initial reduction in salinity was followed by a recovery phase and then subjected to a second challenge of reduced salinity. Condition index was more responsive to changes in salinity regimes than to P. marinus infection. Changes in the RNA/DNA ratio were responsive to the infection status, but not changes in salinity; the pattern of change in the RNA/DNA ratio generally followed changes in the measured levels of infection. The lack of mortalities showed that these oysters were able to tolerate short periods of reduced salinity.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13335
Subject Headings: Freshwater ecology, Ecosystem management, Water quality management, American oyster--Florida, Saint Lucie River Estuary (Fla ), Salinity--Physiological effect
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The effects of systemic herbicide used for invasive species management on a native Florida scrub seed bank.
Creator: Ryan, Kathleen S., Florida Atlantic University, Violin, John
Abstract/Description: This study focused on whether use of ArsenalRTM to control an invasive, non-indigenous tree, Schinus terebinthifolius, would either negatively affect the seed bank in treatment areas of the study site or seeds in litter, 0-5 cm or 5-15 cm layers of the bank. Neither examining the whole site nor the two habitats produced conclusive results, but examining the three layers did. The litter layer appeared to be most sensitive to herbicide treatment with a 47% (p=0.03) reduction in seedling...
Show moreThis study focused on whether use of ArsenalRTM to control an invasive, non-indigenous tree, Schinus terebinthifolius, would either negatively affect the seed bank in treatment areas of the study site or seeds in litter, 0-5 cm or 5-15 cm layers of the bank. Neither examining the whole site nor the two habitats produced conclusive results, but examining the three layers did. The litter layer appeared to be most sensitive to herbicide treatment with a 47% (p=0.03) reduction in seedling emergence after treatment. Analysis of herbicide effect therefore required studying depth, habitat and study site. The litter layer, seldom considered in seed bank studies, produced 33% of emerging seedlings in this study. It is an extremely important component as it is the first place seeds are deposited before they percolate down into the soil. Damage to this layer will not only affect current seedling emergence, but future content of the seed bank below the surface.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13301
Subject Headings: Soil seed banks--Florida, Soil absorption and adsorption--Florida, Soil remediation--Florida, Ecosystem management--Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Population distribution of Liguus fasciatus solidus in Long Pine Key of Everglades National Park.
Creator: Fadely, Jason R., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: The study examined the past and present spatial distribution of the Florida tree snail, L. fasciatus solidus, in the Long Pine Key area of the Everglades National Park. Remote sensing and mobile GIS were used to create a GIS database of the field research results. Collection and survey-based data were used to create a current spatial distribution map of L. fasciatus solidus throughout the Long Pine Key area. The data collected during the 2006 survey were compared to a 1931 survey of the same...
Show moreThe study examined the past and present spatial distribution of the Florida tree snail, L. fasciatus solidus, in the Long Pine Key area of the Everglades National Park. Remote sensing and mobile GIS were used to create a GIS database of the field research results. Collection and survey-based data were used to create a current spatial distribution map of L. fasciatus solidus throughout the Long Pine Key area. The data collected during the 2006 survey were compared to a 1931 survey of the same study area conducted by Dr. William Clench of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) of Harvard University. The data was used to determine the success of L. fasciatus solidus from 1931 to 2006, to evaluate a correlation between hammock size and the number of color forms, and to detect migration patterns of L. fasciatus solidus within the Long Pine Key area of Everglades National Park. Based on the average success rate for the seven color forms and the hammocks, the L. fasciatus solidus population in the Long Pine Key area exemplifies one of a stable community. Each color form used for the analysis had a success rate between 67% and 100%. These percentages can only be the worst case scenario based on the fact that many Liguus were not observed, and any others that would have been observed, would only increase the success rate.
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Date Issued: 2009
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/187209
Subject Headings: Mollusks, Habitat, Animal ecology, Ecosystem management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Can rewatering reverse the effects of regional drainage on forest communities of the Big Cypress Swamp?.
Creator: Park, Scott Michael T., Florida Atlantic University, Volin, John C.
Abstract/Description: The impact of five years of rewatering on a desiccated forested wetland within the Everglades Big Cypress Swamp was investigated. It was found that rewatering generally resulted in a shift in species composition along a hydrological gradient. This was particularly evident in the seedling and herbaceous layer of the cypress domes, the most hydric community studied, where obligate and facultative wetland species had their highest species richness. Overall there were no detectable differences in...
Show moreThe impact of five years of rewatering on a desiccated forested wetland within the Everglades Big Cypress Swamp was investigated. It was found that rewatering generally resulted in a shift in species composition along a hydrological gradient. This was particularly evident in the seedling and herbaceous layer of the cypress domes, the most hydric community studied, where obligate and facultative wetland species had their highest species richness. Overall there were no detectable differences in the number of non-indigenous species in rewatered compared to reference sites. Results from this short-term study showed that rewatering may potentially reverse the trend of increasing coverage by non-obligate wetland plants that have established in the past century as a result of regional desiccation.
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Date Issued: 2002
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12887
Subject Headings: Forested wetlands--Florida--Big Cypress Swamp, Hydrology--Florida--Big Cypress Swamp, Ecosystem management--Florida--Big Cypress Swamp
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Using a Groundwater Influenced Sea Level Rise Model to Assess the Costs Due to Sea-Level Rise on a Coastal Community’s Stormwater Infrastructure Using Limited Groundwater Data.
Creator: Wood, Michael Burton Jr, Bloetscher, Frederick, Florida Atlantic University, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
Abstract/Description: A confounding factor for sea level rise (SLR) is that it has a slow, steady creep, which provides a false sense for coastal communities. Stresses caused by SLR at today’s rate are more pronounced in southeastern Florida and as the rate of SLR accelerates, the exposure areas will increase to a point where nearly all the state’s coastal infrastructure will be challenged. The research was conducted to develop a method for measuring the impact of SLR on the City of West Palm Beach (City), assess...
Show moreA confounding factor for sea level rise (SLR) is that it has a slow, steady creep, which provides a false sense for coastal communities. Stresses caused by SLR at today’s rate are more pronounced in southeastern Florida and as the rate of SLR accelerates, the exposure areas will increase to a point where nearly all the state’s coastal infrastructure will be challenged. The research was conducted to develop a method for measuring the impact of SLR on the City of West Palm Beach (City), assess its impact on the stormwater system, identify vulnerable areas in the City, provide an estimate of long-term costs of improvements, and provide a toolbox or strategies to employ at the appropriate time. The assessment was conducted by importing tidal, groundwater, topographic LiDAR and infrastructure improvements into geographic modeling software and performing analysis based on current data. The data revealed that over $400 million in current dollars might be needed to address stormwater issues arising from SLR before 2100.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004798, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004798
Subject Headings: Climatic changes., Coastal zone management., Ecosystem management., Sea level--Climatic factors--Florida--West Palm Beach., Water--Environmental aspects.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Interpretation of seafloor topologies based on IKONOS satellite imagery of a shallow-marine carbonate platform: Florida Bay to the Florida Reef Tract.
Creator: Steinle, Jacob Thomas., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: A benthic environments classification system is devised from digital interpretations of multi-spectral IKONOS satellite imagery for 1,360 km2 of the carbonate platform and presented in a comprehensive digitized map. The classification scheme is designed as a 7th order hierarchical structure that integrates 5 Physiographic Realms, 24 Morphodynamic Zones, 11 Geoforms, 39 Landforms, 6 dominant surface sediment types, 9 dominant biological covers and 3 densities of biological covers for the...
Show moreA benthic environments classification system is devised from digital interpretations of multi-spectral IKONOS satellite imagery for 1,360 km2 of the carbonate platform and presented in a comprehensive digitized map. The classification scheme is designed as a 7th order hierarchical structure that integrates 5 Physiographic Realms, 24 Morphodynamic Zones, 11 Geoforms, 39 Landforms, 6 dominant surface sediment types, 9 dominant biological covers and 3 densities of biological covers for the description of benthic environments. Digital analysis of the high-resolution (4 m) IKONOS imagery employed ESRI's ArcMap to manually digitize 412 mapping units at a scale of 1:6,000 differentiated by spectral reflectance, color tones, and textures of seafloor topologies. The context of each morphodynamic zone is characterized by the content and areal distribution (in km2) of geomorphic forms and biological covers. Over 58% of the mapping area is occupied by sediment flats, and seagrasses are colonized in almost 80% of the topologies.
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Date Issued: 2011
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3174075
Subject Headings: Submarine topography, Marine sediments, Remote sensing, Marine ecosystem management, Ocean bottom, Sampling, Ocean bottom, Sampling, Coral reef ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Resource use, competition, grazing behavior, and ecosystem invasion impacts of Pomacea maculata.
Creator: Monette, Dean J., Markwith, Scott, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description: Invasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities,...
Show moreInvasion of exotic species is a global threat to native species, biological diversity, and ecological restoration projects. Pomacea maculata is a macrophyte herbivore often misidentified with one of the world’s most invasive and destructive exotic snail, Pomacea canaliculata, but has a broader geographical distribution and climate tolerance, and greater egg production. This research examines whether the exotic P. maculata and native Pomacea paludosa occupy identical vegetation communities, mechanisms of interference competition, grazing impact differences on Vallisneria americana and to develop an exploratory agent based model. This model uses historical and present data to project how differences between species in life history and grazing patterns can potentially impact South Florida ecosystems. This model examined how P. maculate invasion of South Florida could affect two of the Central Everglades Planning Project’s main environmental restoration goals: function of key vegetative communities and conservation of endangered or threatened species.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004309
Subject Headings: Competition (Biology), Ecosystem management -- Florida, Florida applesnail -- Ecology, Florida applesnail -- Environmental aspects, Florida applesnail -- Habitat, Pomacea maculata -- Florida, Wildlife conservation -- Florida
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Determining vegetative complexity, biodiversity and species richness on tree islands of the northern Everglades.
Creator: Day, Irving M., IV., Florida Atlantic University, Gallagher, Jacqueline
Abstract/Description: 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...
Show moreLoss 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.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13332
Subject Headings: Swamp ecology--Florida--Everglades, Tree islands--Florida--Everglades, Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades, Tree island ecology--Florida--Everglades, Plant ecology--Florida--Everglades
Format: Document (PDF)

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