Applied Conservation Science: Current projects

Everglades National Park vegetation monitoring and baseline data collection on species of management concern.

IRC is conducting research in Everglades National Park to determine changes in plant species composition through time in relation to hydrology and phosphorous levels. This project monitors long term plots along a North-South gradient. Additionally, baseline data were collected on plant species of management concern within Everglades National Park. The data and management recommendations will enable managers to make informed decision related to conserving these species in the context of restoration activities and sea level rise. Final Report.

USFWS South Florida Endangered Species Program - Delineation of Suitable Habitat for the Florida Bristle Fern ( Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum) in Withlacoochee State Forest, Sumter County.

This project is an extension and modification of the previous project completed in 2013 to assess candidate species. The current study will identify and delineate suitable habitat for Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum within Withlacoochee State Forest and surrounding areas. Suitable habitat will be identified with a series of previously determined characteristics existing within mesic hammock habitat with exposed limestone substrate. Agreement # F11AO00625, $61,767.53 with the USFWS.

Predicting Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Rare Plants and Coastal Habitats of the Everglades.

To understand how sea level rise influences the integrity of coastal forest ecosystems in Everglades National Park, IRC is conducting field and experimental studies. The aim of the studies are to understand how changes in salinity regimes, resulting from sea level rise, would influence coastal forests. The empirical study examines the growth and physiological responses of five species from coastal buttonwood and hardwood hammocks to three treatments of salinity. Report in press. Abstract.

Survey of candidate species.

IRC is conducting status surveys on the Federal candidate species sand flax ( Linum arenicola ), Carter’s small-flowered flax ( Linum carteri var. carteri ), and Florida bristle Fern ( Trichomanes punctatum ssp. floridanum ) in Miami Dade and Sumter counties. The information gained will fill data gaps and provide knowledge necessary to inform conservation decisions and possible action to list these species as federally endangered or threatened.

Demography of one threatened and two candidate plant species found in pine rockland communities on the Florida Keys

With funds from US Fish and Wildlife through the Endangered Species Act, IRC is conducting a study to determine life history characteristics and demography of three pine rockland plant species; sand flax ( Linum arenicola ), wedge spurge ( Chamaesyce deltoidae serpyllum ), and Garber’s spurge ( Chamaesyce garberi ). Additionally, IRC is resurveying study plots, last monitored in 2005 and in 2008, to search for rare and endangered plant species. Resulting data will be synthesized into existing vegetation, elevation, and fire history data to develop a strategic habitat conservation plan for the three target species and their pine rockland habitat.

Big Cypress Candidate Plant Surveys.

IRC is conducting a status survey of Everglades bully ( Sideroxylon reclinatium subsp. austrofloridense ) and Florida pineland crabgrass ( Digitaria pauciflora ) in Big Cypress National Preserve. The objectives are to determine the ranges and population sizes of the two species within Big Cypress, to assess threats to the species and their habitat, and make management recommendations.

US Fish and Wildlife, National Key Deer Refuge

2009-present. Agreement # 40189G472. IRC is determining densities of rare plant populations and documenting changes in vegetation structure and composition in the freshwater and saltwater marsh communities in the National Key Deer Refuge. The objective is to use data on rare plants in relation to time since fire and storm events in order to make decisions on applying prescribed fire to benefit rare and endangered wildlife species. Selected vegetation plots originally sampled by Folk and Barrett are being resampled and management recommendations will be provided to the National Key Deer Refuge. $37,000 agreement with USFWS.

US Fish and Wildlife. Miami-Dade County.

2011-present. Agreement #401817G107. IRC, under contract with USFWS, is controlling exotic plants on several pine rockland properties to prepare for the reintroduction of several candidate plant species, specifically for Blodgett’s silverbrush ( Argythamnia blodgettii ), Florida brickell-bush ( Brickellia mosieri ), Carter’s small-flowered flax ( Linum carteri ), deltoid spurge ( Chamaesyce deltoidea spp. ) and sand flax ( Linum arenicola ). In addition, IRC has collected germplasm in an attempt to propagate new individuals of the target species for reintroduction onto the properties. The final modification of the project included funds to conduct 2-4 prescribed burns on Pine Rockland properties for the purpose of management of the target species. $100,000 agreement with USFWS.

Strap Fern Reintroduction.

2012-present. IRC, in partnership with Marie Selby Botanical Garden, Miami-Dade County Natural Areas Management and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, is propagating and reintroducing two species of strap fern, Campyloneurum angustifolium and Campyloneurum costatum , both of which had previously been considered regionally extinct. $2,500 from the Florida Native Plant Society.

Predicting Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Rare Plants and Coastal Habitats of the Everglades.

2010-present. To understand how sea level rise influences the integrity of coastal forest ecosystems in Everglades National Park, IRC is conducting field and experimental studies. The aim of the studies are to understand how changes in salinity regimes, resulting from sea level rise, would influence coastal forests. The empirical study examines the growth and physiological responses of five species from coastal buttonwood and hardwood hammocks to three treatments of salinity. Task Agreement #J5298100012. $117,000 agreement with Everglades National Park.

Everglades National Park Vegetation Monitoring.

2008-present. IRC is conducting research in Everglades National Park to determine changes in plant species composition through time in relation to hydrology and phosphorous levels. This project monitors long term plots along a North-South gradient. Additionally, baseline data were collected on plant species of management concern within Everglades National Park. The data and management recommendations will enable managers to make informed decision related to conserving these species in the context of restoration activities and sea level rise. Agreement #'s P11AT003101 and J5284080020. $222,000 agreement with the National Park Service.

For a complete list of past projects click here.