Is the Exotic Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius a Threat to Mangrove Ecosystems in Florida?
Donnelly MJ and Walters LJ. Is the Exotic Brazilian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius a Threat to Mangrove Ecosystems in Florida?. Dept of Biology, Univ of Central Florida. Orlando, FL
The purpose of this study is to examine life-history characteristics of Brazilian pepper that enable this exotic to invade mangrove systems. -The results from the buoyancy and dispersal trials suggest that at 36 ppt a Brazilian pepper seed can disperse between 7.3 and 44.3 km. -Brazilian pepper was found growing in soil salinities from 1.1 to 13.4 ppt. All three species of mangroves were also found growing in these same soil conditions. Higher soil salinities at sites without Brazilian pepper may only support halophytic plants. -The mean relative abundance of Brazillian pepper was 8.6% in intertidal areas of Mosquito Lagoon. Sites with Brazillian pepper had higher species richness than sties without this exotic. However, if Brazilian pepper continues to spread in these areas, species richness will likely decline.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Donnelly, Melinda; Walters, Linda
- Publisher
- Dept of Biology, Univ of Central Florida
- Units
- CANA
- Keywords
- Brazinian pepper Schinus terebinthifolius, Flora, Mangrove ecosystems