Current Search: FAU Graduate Student Research (x) » Benscoter, Brian (x)
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- Title
- The implications of willow invasion in a sawgrass community.
- Creator
- Budny, Michelle L., Benscoter, Brian, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
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Purpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers...
Show morePurpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers, which moderates flooding, protects water quality, and reduces the amount of freshwater diverted to the Indian River Lagoon. Plant transpiration and CO2 exchange will be measured on fully expanded, non-damaged leaves of sawgrass and willow using a portable infrared gas analyzer LI-6400, LI-COR, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A.. Plant community composition in both habitats will be surveyed along with measurements of microhabitat conditions and water quality. Results: The results obtained from this study will provide a better understanding of physiological responses and community changes that may occur in sawgrass habitats as a result of willow encroachment. It is anticipated that there will be differences in transpiration rates between the two species as well as changes to community structure and water quality. Measuring plant level physiological responses will help improve landscape level models of water exchange as well as inform water management decisions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005806
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Post-fire succession and carbon storage in the northern Everglades.
- Creator
- Reger, Lisa Marie, Benscoter, Brian, Graduate College
- Abstract/Description
-
This research will provide documentation of the trajectory of plant community succession and carbon accumulation post-fire as well as a comparison between the effects of natural versus prescribed fires on recovery trajectory. This study will take place in the A.R.M Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Historical fire records will be used to select sites along a chronosequence of time since the most recent occurrence of fire as well as sites differing in the source of ignition naturally...
Show moreThis research will provide documentation of the trajectory of plant community succession and carbon accumulation post-fire as well as a comparison between the effects of natural versus prescribed fires on recovery trajectory. This study will take place in the A.R.M Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Historical fire records will be used to select sites along a chronosequence of time since the most recent occurrence of fire as well as sites differing in the source of ignition naturally ignited vs. prescribed burns. Vegetation surveys will be performed to assess the pattern of community change through succession. Aboveground plant biomass will be estimated non-destructively at each site and soil cores from each plot will be used to quantify soil accretion and soil quality across the chronosequence. Additionally, monitoring control points will be established within both historically burned and new prescribed burned sites in the Refuge. These control points will be revisited in subsequent intervals to document short-term vegetation recovery. Results of this study will provide quantification of the effectiveness of fire management practices in the maintenance and restoration of quality habitat in the northern Everglades as well as provide further insight into how fire severity affects the trajectory of habitat recovery.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005850
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Invasion-mediated recovery following managed disturbance in the northern Everglades.
- Creator
- Lange, James J., Benscoter, Brian, Graduate College
- Date Issued
- 2013-04-12
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361942
- Subject Headings
- Melaleuca quinquenervia, Invasive plants, Wetland management, Wetland ecology, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (Fla.)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Cascading effects of vegetation on peat soil properties and crayfish survival in the Florida Everglades.
- Creator
- Chapman, Alexander, Benscoter, Brian, Dorn, Nathan, Graduate College
- Date Issued
- 2013-04-12
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361281
- Subject Headings
- Everglades (Fla.), Peat soils, Crayfish, Cattails, Multitrophic interactions (Ecology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)