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Note: Session titles beginning with an asterisk (*) have student presenters.
AUTHORS: Alyssa Jordan, Tyler Beck – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
ABSTRACT: Six islands were created in the northwest marsh of Lake Okeechobee, Florida in 2001 and 2008 to remove a ridge of organic sediment that had formed during a period of high water, effectively blocking the flow of water into the interior marsh. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working to “rehabilitate” these spoil islands, planting roughly 9,000 trees and shrubs from over forty-five native species. Plantings prevent erosion and results in structure that provides nesting and foraging opportunities for wildlife such as birds, alligators, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects. One project captured and banded thirty-five bird species and documented another thirty-four species over two years. Multiple birds have been recaptured more than one year after initial banding. In addition to the islands, a bald cypress fringe is being re-established. In the early 1900’s, there were records of a band of bald cypress, but due to logging, wildfires, hydrologic changes and cattle grazing, those trees had disappeared. Over 5,000 15-gallon bald cypress trees and over 1,600 7-gallon trees from twelve different wetland species have been planted. This area may be beneficial to wildlife as a corridor between central Florida and the Everglades when human population expands. The endangered Everglade snail kite has already been documented foraging and roosting in the area, and nesting could occur when trees are larger. Through this work, we have shown that targeted plantings within a wetland system can prove beneficial to a wide range of wildlife, but especially birds.
Tuesday October 31, 2017 2:00pm - 2:20pm EDT
Carroll Ford