Home		Projects by:	Title	Author	-Theme- -ASR -ATLSS -BIO-GEO CHEM -CERP Activities -Coastal Ecosystems -Ecohistory -Fed Coop Program -FLOWS -Mapping -Native Lands -SICS I -SICS II -SOFIA -TIME -Wetlands & Estuarine		Contacts		Links

There is a need to know the distribution of Old World climbing fern (a category I invasive exotic) on the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and throughout South Florida, what factors affect its spread, and the most effective strategies for its control. This project will provide a tool that will help with the control of this invasive exotic. The results of this study will provide core information needed for the control of Old World climbing fern on the refuge and throughout the South Florida Ecosystem. There will be three primary products from this project: 1) Basic information about the life history characteristics of Old World climbing fern and the factors that contribute to its spread and factors that may help to control it. These data will be used in the development of a model to predict which areas are at potential risk for colonization by Old World climbing fern. These data also can be used by other biologists to identify methods of control. 2) Current high resolution map (minimum mapping unit < 10 m2) map showing the distribution and densities of Old World climbing fern in the interior of A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR. This map (to be used by the refuge manager and staff) will help to identify the leading edge and outlying pockets for control efforts and will provide the base for the predictive model of Old World climbing fern spread. 3) Predictive model of the spread of Old World climbing fern that allows managers to run scenarios to test the effectiveness of different control strategies on the rate and location of spread and to examine the potential influences of alternative water level management on spread. This will allow the user to identify key areas for immediate treatment and follow up, thus maximizing the use of dollars available for treatment. A.R.M. Loxahatchee NWR will be the pilot site for model development. Ultimately the model will be applied throughout the South Florida ecosystem and will help to highlight potential at-risk natural areas.