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Genius Reserve : Mesic Oak HammockBy Jeanne Lynn and Beth Ann Tucker
Objectives of summer research project include:
● Creating a nursery by propagatingfrom native vegetation on site forfuture restoration planting.
● Identifying Florida native plantspecies.
● Identifying exotic and invasivespecies.
● Identifying keystone (vegetativeand animal) species.
● Placement of donated materials.● Analysis of quantitative data
including; groundcover, understory, and canopy by means of bandtransect in nested plots through arange of designated land use areas.
GeniusPreserve is:
A national treasure surrounded bydense urbanization, representingan old Florida setting with a rhythmof its own.
Intermingled with Citrus,ornamental, and native floweringtrees.
A mixed Mesic hardwood forestthat contains a healthy seed bank.
A unique opportunity to preserveMesic Oak and hardwoodhammocks and restore a uniquenatural setting to its formersplendor.
A natural setting with pastoral qualities that invitesfurther investigation…
Humble Beginnings
● The former aviary isdesignated as thenursery area.
● The outer perimeteris cleared andplanted with natives.
● Coral honeysucklewill cover thestructure.
Ground Preparation
● A shed is built to serve as a storage andpotting area.
● Irrigation is provided to keep new cuttingsmoist.
● Weed mat is installed.
● Pine straw is used for mulch andpathways.
Takingshape
● Nativeplantings ofMagnolia,CoontiePalms,ChickasawPlum, CoralHoneysuckleandBeautyberry.
New plantings starting to grow
Making Cuttings
Cutting procedure
● Select plant for propagation.
● Take a 4” cutting from selected plant.
● Strip lower leaves and cut remaining leaves by 50% to stoptranspiration.
● Lightly coat base cut with rooting hormone.
● Insert cutting up to first node in light potting medium.
● Date and label cutting.
● Monitor growth and keep moist.
Cuttings propagated from Genius Preserve materials.
● Trays of Bougainvillea, Camellias,Coral honeysuckle, Wild Coffee, Anise,Simpson stopper, Dogwood andChickasaw Plum have been started.
● For the purpose of reintroducinghistorical and restorative species todisturbed areas.
Butterfly Orchid CuttingsNative Orchids are divided and attached to pieces of fallen Oak
limbs covered in Resurrection Fern.
Hickory seedling in 15 gallon pot to accommodate root system.
Typically Hickory transplants are unsuccessful past the dormantseason. This is an exception and shows signs of emerging growth.
Introducing the natives...
Live OakQuercus virginiana
● Live Oaksprovide thebackbone to theGenius propertyvegetativecollection.
● Majestic and longlived, this is oldFlorida at itsbest.
● A home forepiphytes, ferns,orchids, birds,insects andmammals.
Southern MagnoliaMagnolia grandiflora
● Large flowering treesfound naturally in richhammock soils and onthe border of riverswamps along with otherhardwoods.
● Magnolias are beingplanted as a beautifulbuffer by the WardHouse which is aeducational facility.
● New Magnolias create amagnificent setting forWindsong, the primaryresidence on theproperty.
Longleaf Pine Pinus palustris
● 12- 18 inch long needles.
● Can grow to 120' tall.
● Natural stands of theLongleaf Pine arebecoming scarce.
● It resembles a large tuft ofgrass while establishing it'sroot system.
● Historically the LongleafPine was dense enough toharvest in this area.
Pignut HickoryCarya glabra
● Alternate compound leaves. Pleasantlyscented. Top leaflets are the largest.
● Stump regeneration is important form ofspecies perpetuity on site as many treeswere felled during the 2004 hurricaneseason.
● Root is 300% bigger than leaves.
Hickory is the second most abundant
hardwood on the property
Red CedarJuniperus virginiana
● The Cedar grove isone of manysections receivingrestorationplantings.
● The native redCedar is used forbuffer/screeningplanting betweenGenius propertyand the rest of theworld.
Chickasaw PlumPrunus angustifolia
● Deciduous tree thatflowers white in thespring time and bearsedible fruit in mid-summer.
● Located in severalareas on-site. ThePlum serves man andanimal, aestheticallypleasing and a foodsource for wildlife.
Saw PalmettoSerenoa repens
● Evergreen,providing foodsource for wildlife.
● Grows in widelyvaried habitats andcreates a microhabitat.
● Saw Palmettos havebeen planted inCedar grove andnursery area tocreate a transitionbetween differenthabitat mosaics.
BeautyberryCallicarpa americana
● Naturalizing shrub.
● Can reach 10' tall.
● Insignificant pink flowersin summer that turn intopurple berries in the fall.
● Berries last into winterand are a food source fora variety of birds.
Wiregrass Aristida stricta
● A favourite food ofthe Gopher Turtle -Gopher polyphemus,native Wiregrass isplanted near thenursery and in theCedar grove.
Coral HoneysuckleLonicera sempervirens
● Drought tolerant.
● Non-invasive vinewith bright redblooms.
● Songbird,Butterflyand Hummingbirdattractor.
● Cuttings readily growand flower.
Coontie PalmZamia pulmia
• “Coonties belong to anancient lineage of conebearing plants that oncewere the dominantvegetation on earth…that might be calledliving fossils.”
(Osorio 229 )
Florida Butterfly OrchidEncyclia tampensis
● Producing fragrantflowers mostly in Juneand July, large plantswere found flourishingin full bloom in LiveOak trees next to ournative nursery.
● Found in swamps,hammocks and moisthardwood forests.
Wild CoffeePsychotria nervosa
● The plant is utilized bymany butterfly and birdspecies, includingcardinals, mockingbirds,catbirds and spicebushswallowtail butterflies.
● Wild coffee grows in avariety of soils types, fromwet to dry. It is found innear-coastal hammocks,pinelands and shell ridges.
● Information provided byFlorida forest plants.
Long Lived Wildflowers
● “Florida has a vastassemblage of small,overlooked, often trodden-upon little plants that areusually derisivelydismissed as being only ofbotanical interest.However, many suchplants turn out to bediminutive treasures thatreward closer scrutiny andmerit more extensivecultivation.” (Osorio 111)
Animal wildlife
● A variety of species are present on theproperty.
● Tortoise, Turtles, Fox, Raccoons, Rabbits,Hawks, Water birds, Hummingbirds,Woodpeckers, Snakes and introducedPeacocks to name few…
● This array of wildlife attests to healthyecosystems capable of sustaining suchdiversity.
Yellow Rat SnakeElaphe obsoleta
● Nursery Visitor.
● Identification provided byFlorida Museum of NaturalHistory- Herpetology keyingonline.
● 4 brown to black longitudinalstripes.
● “Weakly keeled” scales do notreflect light.
● 40-70” long.
Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus
● Keystone species with severaldens on the property.
● A large Gopher Tortoise andand an active den isdiscovered on the west side ofthe packing plant under anuprooted Oak.
● The near proximity of theburrow to the native nurserypromoted the Wire grassplantings to encourage thisbig fellow to stay in thevicinity.
Unidentified discovery…
• Located just outside of thenative nursery, a clutch ofeggs were discovered in aground out tree stump.The grindings were hotand moist, the elevationwas higher than thesurrounding groundsurface. Our theoreticidentification leanstowards a water turtle. Thenest is being monitored.
RaccoonProcyon lotor
● Three babies and theirmother were seen in thetrees by the packing plant.
● Omnivorous, they eat nuts,grubs, some insects, andeggs.
● These little fellows wereprobably born in April orMay.
Eastern cottontailSylvilagus floridanus
● Range isstatewide.
● Herbivore● Nocturnal● Some have
beenintroducedon site toinfusespeciesdiversity.
Grey FoxUrocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus
• Two dens are located inthe large citrus grovebetween the nurseryand Windsong home.
• Nocturnal predator, onlytracks were observedduring summer project.
• Picture provided byTallahassee Museum ofHistory and NaturalScience.
Red-tailed HawkButeo jamaicensis
● Nesting begins in Februaryand continues though June.
● Three young hawks werenoted consistently in thedisturbed Mesic hardwoodhammock area.
● Enjoying the natural snagsand tall trees, they providethe service of keeping miceand rats in check.
Dens, Burrows, Prints & Bones...new activity noted everyday
Natural Disturbance Area2004 Hurricane – Mesic Hardwood Hammock
Restoration areas
● New Magnolias, Red Cedar,Live Oaks, Plums andDogwoods are planted in theOak hammock.
Live oak hammock (hammock is Indian for "shadyplace")— This is a unique land form and vegetation typerestricted to the south-eastern portion of North America,
especially Florida.
Mesic hammock assessmentinclude identifying troublesomeinvasives to be removed
● Air Potato-Dioscorea bulbifera – cangrow to 60 feet and take over canopytrees – aerial tubers look like potatoes.
● Camphor - Cinnamomum camphora- trees produce numerous seeds andgrow like weeds.They have fewenemies or diseases.
● African Ear Tree – Enterolobium –vigorous re-sprouting below girdleline, ear shaped seed pods distributewith wild abandon.
Donations to Rollins include:Live Oak -Quercus virginiania donated by J & W Tree Farms
● This Live Oak willhelp to create thecanopy in the bufferarea between theGenius Preserve andthe new homesabutting the property.
● This area lostseveral trees due tothe 2004 hurricanes.
Laurel Oak- Quercus laurifoliadonated by Beckle Tree Farms
● This tree is planted alonga transition zone from theroad to the Windsonghome.
● Invasive materials havebeen extensivelyremoved in this area. Thedisturbed sections havebeen planted with Oaksand Magnolias.
Pink Tabebuia Tabebuia heterophylladonated by Four B's
Nursery
● Pink Tabebuia is anideal choice forsensational seasonalcolor on the main drive.
● The pink springblossoms are quiteshowy. The tree itself isnon-invasive and hasno pest or diseaseproblems and isdrought and coldtolerant.
Dogwood Cornus floridaand Live Oaks Quercusvirginiania donated by
Garden Palette
These trees areall planted nearthe new native
nursery.
Live Oaks donated byCooks Tree Farm
Quercusvirginianiaare used inopen areas
and near theroad to
create futureshade,
ambianceand
screening.
Stump grindinggenerously providedby Charlie Theurer of
ArboriculturalServices
Creating a handshake over the fence
● Dr. Bruce Stephensonand Alan from theRollins Greenhouselook at the buffer zonebetween the newhomes in Windsongsubdivision and theGenius property.
● The careful placementof Oaks, Cedars, andMagnolia trees createsa win-win situation forthe homeowners andthe Genius Preserve.
Band transect project:250' from Glenridge gate to Lake Virginia
● Vegetativedelineation based
on aerial withpolygons
designatingspecific land usescompiled by Dr.Bill Grey, Spring
2005● At eachmonument
vegetative data isgathered using
nested plotsampling.
Selected Study Area● 4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with
some Disturbed Groundcover
● 4392 – Mixed Hardwood Canopy withdense Native Under story
● 4393 – Mixed Hardwood Canopy withFern Groundcover
● 630 - Wetland Forest – Mixed
● 641 – Freshwater Marsh – Cattail
● 6445 – Water Lily
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
01 0 20
3 0 40
M o n u m e n t 1
6 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
g r o u n d c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of cover
● Virginia creeper andCaesar weed are thepredominantherbaceous groundcovers.
● Common leaf litter andsalt and pepper (50%sand and 50% organicmatter) soil are equallydistributed.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with some Disturbed Groundcover
C h e r r y L a u r e l
Pokeweed
P a r r o t G r a s s
Rubarb
S u m a c
01 2
3 45 6
M o n u m e n t 1
1 5 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
s u b - c a n o p y
# o f S p e c i e s
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# o f S p e c i e s
● In this hurricanedisturbed area ofthe property,succession plantssuch as sumac arepresent along withlarge weedyrhubarb and parrotgrasses that growunimpeded fromlack of canopy ornatives.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
C h e r r y L a u r e l
Pignut Hickory
0 12 3
4 56
Monument 130 foot diameter plot
canopy
C a l i p e r I n c h
Caliper Inch
● Two saplingtrees were thesole canopysurvivors in thisdata study area.
● These twospecies provideapproximately2% canopydensity.
● Most commonspecies in thisplot is theCherry laurel.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
01 0 20
3 0 40
M o n u m e n t 2
6 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
g r o u n d c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of cover
• Stink vine, grape vine,grasses and assortedweeds make up thevegetation in thisarea.
• Highly disturbed areawith ground fungusnoted.
• Soil and Leaf litterwere in equaldistribution.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
C h e r r y L a u r e l
Elderberry
C a m p h o r
Beautyberry
R h u b a r b
Casearweed
0 24 6
8
Monument 215 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● We were encouragedto see Beautyberrycompeting withCherry laurel fornumber of species inthis data set.
● Nuisance weedswere present but notdominant.
● Part of thedisturbance in thisplot include fallenlogs and branches.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
H i c k o r y 1
Hickory 2
C a b b a g e P a l m
Wild Citrus
0 2.55 7.5
1 0 12.51 5
Monument 230 foot diameter plot
canopy
C a l i p e r I n c h
Caliper InchC a l i p e r I n c h
Caliper Inch
● Citrus is in highsubcanopy. Was worthnoting, not for caliperinch, but forcontribution to canopydensity.
● Density cover for thisplot was 35%.
● Red, white and orangelichens as well asspanish moss werefound on Hickory #2.
● Three Juvenile RedTailed Hawks wereactive in this plot.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
Fallen Tree
0 102 0 30
4 0 506 0
Monument 2A6 foot diameter plot
ground cover
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of coverP e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of cover
• The distance betweenmonuments 2 and 3 is sogreat that an edge wastangibly felt and it wasdecided to add a monument“2A” to document vegetationchanges.
• A den was noted under thefallen tree that is part of thegroundcover.
• Six inch soil samplerevealed 50/50 salt andpepper composition.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
C h e r r y L a u r e l
Bay
P a l m e t t o
Beautyberry
R h u b a r b
Grapevine
0 12 3
4 56
Monument 2A15 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● Transistion edge isnoted fromintroduction ofPalmetto and Bay.
● Decrease in noxiousweeds.
● Most of sub-canopycount is from saplingtrees.
● None of the speciesin the sub-canopywere of anysiginifcant size.
4391- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Some Disturbed Groundcover
M a g n o l i a
Oak
F a l l e n T r e e
05 10
1 5 20
M o n u m e n t 2 A
3 0 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
c a n o p y
C a l i p e r I n c h
C a l i p e r I n c h
Caliper Inch
● Estimated canopydensity is 20%.
● The caliper inch of thetrunk of the oak wasnot consistent with thecanopy coverage. Oakhad significant crownloss.
● Fallen tree is noted forcanopy losscomparision fromnatural disturbance, i.e.2004 hurricane season.
4392- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Dense Native Understory
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
01 0 20
3 0 405 0 60
M o n u m e n t 3
6 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
g r o u n d c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of cover
● No exposed soil in thisdata plot.
● Herbaceous speciesinclude various vinesincluding grape.
● Surface condition isnotably moist.
4392- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Dense Native Understory
C h e r r y L a u r e l
Coral Bean
F e r n
Palmetto
B e a u t y b e r r y
Myrtle
O a k
Unknown
0 51 0 15
2 0
Monument 315 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● Fern is the dominantunderstory species,which is consistentwith the soil moistureincrease.
● White fungi or conkswere noted attachedto a large fallen treetrunk indicating thedecompositionprocess taking place.
● Wildlife note: EasternCottontail Rabbitpresent.
4392- Mixed Hardwood Canopy with Dense Native Understory
F a l l e n T r e e
00 . 2 5 0.5
0 . 7 5 1
M o n u m e n t 3
3 0 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
c a n o p y
C a l i p e r I n c h
● Estimated canopydensity is 0%.
● Inches from theperimeter of this plot isan 11.25 caliper inchBay tree. This treeprovides canopy coverfor our plot, but cannotbe includedquantitatively as thetruck is outside the 30foot diameter.
4393 – Mixed Hardwood / Fern Groundcover
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
0 1 0 203 0 40
5 0 607 0
Monument 46 foot diameter plot
ground cover
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of coverP e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
● 7” deep soil sample withtop 1/2” is organicmaterial. The balance ofthe sample was 60/40salt/pepper, moist, muckytexture.
● Surface of soil is moist tothe touch.
● Herbaceous species inseedling form under 12”are Hickory, Oak, Bay,Cherry Laurel, VirginiaCreeper, Fern, PoisonOak and weeds.
4393 – Mixed Hardwood / Fern Groundcover
F e r n
Cabbage Palm
P a l m e t t o
Beautyberry
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 0
Monument 415 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● Fern and Palmettoare the dominantunderstory species.
● Numbers are greaterthan 10 for Fern andPalmetto counts andappear to be in equaldistribution.
● Elevation is droppingfrom the lastmonument, which isconsistent with thisvegetative speciestype.
4393 – Mixed Hardwood / Fern Groundcover
B a y 1
Bay 2
O a k
05 10
1 5 202 5
Monument 430 foot diameter plot
canopy
c a l i p e r i n c h
caliper inchc a l i p e r i n c h
● Cabbage palms wereconsidered to be part ofsub-canopy as a caliperinch measurement(diameter at breastheight) did not apply.Fronds from base of plantwere 9' tall, yet palmshave not yet obtaineddiameter.
● Fronds are providingcanopy coverage for fernsand groundcover.
● Top of Bay #1 has crowndamage. Re-generation ispresent below thedamage.
630 - Wetland Forest – Mixed
● 7” soil sample taken.Top 1” = 50/50salt/pepper. Balanceof sample = 80/20salt/pepper withmucky texture.
● Herbaceous speciesinclude Fern,Grapevine,Casearweed andunidentified vinespecies.
● Leaf litter includedfallen branches.
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
02 0 40
6 0 801 0 0
Monument 56 foot diameter plot
ground cover
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of coverP e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
630 - Wetland Forest – Mixed
F e r n
Hickory
P a l m e t t o
Casearweed
0 51 0 15
2 0 253 0
Monument 515 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● Fern are numerousand count greaterthan 30.
● A trail edge iseastern perimeter ofthis plot.
● In sub-canopyoutside perimeter ofcollection area, turkscap and beauty berryare noted.
630 - Wetland Forest – Mixed
O a k 1
Oak 2
C y p r e s s
05 10
1 5 20
M o n u m e n t 5
3 0 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
c a n o p y
c a l i p e r i n c h
c a l i p e r i n c h
caliper inch
● Estimated canopydensity is 75%.
● Both Oak treeshave spatulateshaped leaves.
● Cypress is a newspecies and isconsistent withmoist soil contentand proximity tolake edge.
641 – Freshwater Marsh/ Cattail
● 7” soil sample taken.100% humus, to theunaided eye, withmuck texture.
● Water edge is 9'from monumentstake.
● Elevation continuesto drop.
V e g e t a t i o n
Leaf Litter
S o i l
02 0 40
6 0 80
M o n u m e n t 6
6 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
g r o u n d c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
P e r c e n t o f
c o v e r
Percent of cover
641 – Freshwater Marsh/ Cattail
F e r n
Bay
O a k
Grapevine
0 102 0 30
4 0
Monument 615 foot diameter plot
sub-canopy
# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species# o f S p e c i e s
# of Species
● Hickory saplingswere notedoutside theperimeter of thedata plot.
● Fern continues tobe the dominentspecies with thenumbers of plantsin the communityincreasing.
641 – Freshwater Marsh/ Cattail
B a y 1
Bay 2
C a m p h o r
Oak
S n a g
05 10
1 5 20
M o n u m e n t 6
3 0 f o o t d i a m e t e r p l o t
c a n o p y
c a l i p e r i n c h
c a l i p e r i n c h
caliper inchc a l i p e r i n c h
c a l i p e r i n c h
● Estimated canopydensity is 80%.
● Snag is noted forsignificant size andpotential wildlifehabitat near watersedge.
● Noted increase inBay species.
● Littoral emergentvegetative speciesinclude Taro, Cattail,Pickeral andGrasses.
6445 – Water Lily
● Access to this pointwas limited tophotos only.
● The Bay tree in thebackground wasmarked for siteidentification.
● Photos obtained byjet ski. This is a nowake zone
● Water Lily notpresent at this site.
SumacRhus glabra
• Transition speciesthat occurs in drysoil.
• Pioneer shrubsthat invadedisturbed areas.
• Sumac growsquickly andprovides food andcover for a varietyof wildlife.
A hip chain withbiodegradable string is
used to measure distancesbetween monuments.
The dreaded pink stringhas knots tied in it's lengthto designate the 6', 15' and
30' diametermeasurements for canopy
assessment.
We spent a lot of timegetting untangled. Our
moods improved once outof the woods.
We have decided to addthe Pink String to ourgraduation caps as a
tassel.
2005 or 1905?
Works Cited
Florida Forest Plants. http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Wild_coffee/wildcoff.htm
Florida Naturehttp://www.floridanature.org/species.asp?species=Urocyon_cinereoargenteus_floridanusincludes photo credit for Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science.
Haehle, Robert and Brookwell, Joan. Eds. Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing. Lanham.Maryland. 1999.
Luer, Carlyle A. Native Orchids of Florida. New York Botanical Gardens. 1972.
Nelson, Gil. Trees of Florida. Pineapple Press. Sarasota. FL 1994.
Osorio, Rufino. A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida.Gainesville. FL. 2001
The Biotech Dictionary http://www.thebiotechdictionary.com/term/mesic
The End
● Natural Disturbance Areas
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