Hydrologic Constraints on Establishment of Lygodium microphyllum
Philippi T and Richards J. 2007. Hydrologic Constraints on Establishment of Lygodium microphyllum. Critical Ecosystems Studies Initiative. RES04-3. Everglades National Park/South Natural Resources Center
Final Report. Lygodium microphyllum, is an invasive, nonnative plant that now covers an estimated 300,000 acres of natural areas in central and south Florida. This climbing fern can form a dense canopy which can smother entire forests of native organisms. Like other ferns, L. microphyllum spreads via minute spores. Aided by wind, a single spore can travel great distances and establish the plant in new areas. This CESI-funded investigation examines the relationship between the dispersal, germination and growth of this species relative to temperature and hydrology. In their final report Philippi & Richards suggest germination is most likely to occur in moist areas during periods of cooler temperatures. The survival of juveniles depends further on areas free from inundation. Monitoring these parameters in the field can help managers focus eradication efforts on those areas most likely to be invaded. Acosta, Charles A. and Sue A. Perry. 2002. Spatially explicit population responses of crayfish Procambarus alleni to potential shifts in vegetation distribution in the marl marshes of Everglades National Park, USA. Hydrobiologia 477:221-230. Acosta, Charles A. and Sue Perry. 2002. Spatio-temporal Variation in Crayfish Production in Disturbed marl Prairie Marshes of the Florida Everglades. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 17(4):641-650. Acosta, Charles A. and Sue A. Perry. 2001. Impact of hydropattern disturbance on crayfish population dynamics in the seasonal wetlands of Everglades National Park, USA. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 11:45-57.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Philippi, Thomas; Richards, Jennifer
- Date of Issue
- 2007-05
- Units
- EVER
- Keywords
- Assessment, CESI, everglades, Exotic Plants, Hydrology, Lygodium, Natural Resource Management, Old World Fern, Research, Response, Restoration, Vegetation
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants