Conservation Jeopardy

Thomas Becker, FFL Program Assistant Charlotte County Extension Service 10-20-15 What’s Missing in this picture Goal: Learn innumerable benefits of mangrove and proper maintenance Objectives

• Demonstrate ‘How to’ apply a ppt./2010 jeopardy board template to a presentation • Adopt accepted norms relating to mangrove ecology, preservation, restoration and care • Understand the role and values of • Learn how to identify the differences between three mangrove species and those plants that often grow nearby

Mangrove – red, black & white

Constructed Canal Lot

Forest, Eco- System, Fringe, Buffer, Back-bay Border, Swamps Wildlife Corridors, Tunnels, Remnants, Tree Islands, Aquatic Estuary Natural Mangrove along Gasparilla Island

World Mangrove Distribution

*National Geographic Magazine Charlotte Harbor Myakka River Peace River

Pt Charlotte

Lemon Bay Punta Gorda

18 Miles To Caloosahatchee Boca Grande Gulf River

Cape Coral Captiva

Ft Myers Sanibel

Estero Bay What is an Estuary? Where fresh water meets salt water supporting GREAT plant and wildlife bio-diversity. Kidneys for the watershed improving water quality before going into the Gulf of Mexico. Charlotte Harbor estuary Shallow Water High biological diversity

• Rivers • Barrier islands • Open water • Inlets • Salt marshes • Submerged • Oyster bars • Mud flats seagrass beds Species Living in SWFL Estuary

Osprey Inshore lizardfish

• 227 species of birds • 225 species of fish

• 22 native species of • 468 native species of plants mammals including 84 non-natives Mangrove Forests in Florida (7 major estuaries w/mangrove)

–Tampa Bay –Charlotte Harbor –Ten Thousand Islands & Rookery Bay –Florida Bay –Biscayne Bay –Lake Worth Lagoon –Indian River Lagoon

60,000 acres of submerged Charlotte lands Harbor Aquatic Preserve Mangrove Distribution in Charlotte Harbor*

• 26% historic loss • 3% recent loss • 34% shoreline degraded

Mangroves need thought of as part of the natural rather then constructed landscape

*Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program Draft 7 County Watershed Report Signs of a Healthy Estuary Mangroves line the shoreline with red, white and black mangrove

Distinguishing between Fresh (water), Estuarine and Marine systems is often subtle

Backyards are transition zones from the natural areas to yards. Plant Natives between home, yard, property border and mangrove Be In the Know – Protecting Mangrove • Three mangroves species grow along saline, tidally - influenced shores of the tropics/subtropics • Mangroves are preserved and protected as forested areas in Florida • Under FL law, only native plants can be planted along a shoreline • All mangroves species are cold-sensitive trees • Mangroves require NO watering • Of the three species, red mangrove does not survive severe pruning, nor the coldest temperatures for an extended period

More Living on the Estuary (FFL™)

• All mangroves protect water quality • Highest priority is preserving mangrove • Remove any prohibited exotics competing with existing mangrove • If no mangrove present, a maintenance-free zone of at least 10 feet separates the water from any landscaped areas

Red () – Arching prop roots brace plant, trap silt, supply air to submerged roots – Long (pencil-like), green bean (curved) seed pods called propagules – Smooth & thick, elliptical leaves , dark green – No conspicuous glands at leaf base – Fragrant flowers especially spring and fall – Smoother, grayish-red bark compared to others – Ends of shoots have long and sharp pointed terminal bud

Planting zone Shallows +0.5’ to -0.5’ Deep -3.0’ to -5.0’ Mid -0.5 to -3.0’

Adaptation Wet, moist soil Deep, brackish or fresh water White [) – Prefers higher ground (compared to red) – Two small visible glands base of each leaf used to excrete salt – Visibly rounded ends on each leaf – Less tree-like, more shrubby then red and black – Small white flowers in terminal clusters – Ribbed fruit that shaped like a spear-point – Produces short occasional root sprouts (shorter than Pneumatophores on Black) – Deeply furrowed bark Black (Avicennia germinans)

– Leaves with smooth edges, shiny above, fuzzy below – White, fragrant flowers w/yellow center in clusters – Seed pods are leathery split lima bean or teardrops – Pneumatophores or breathing tubes for roots, vertical snorkels, no descending legs like red – Secrete salt found on surfaces of the leaves – Tall tree-like , usually black branches – Checker textured bark, sometimes black

The Forest

– Natural areas often find all three growing together – Maintain at any width. 8 feet to 50 feet wide – All are considered low maintenance, few pests – Trim mangroves properly October through March when mangroves are not growing as vigorously – Keep healthy, apply no fertilizer – Use as buffer to captures runoff & absorbs excess nutrients from land or water – Protects shoreline from wind, storm surge – Helps meet required water quality standards Use Native Plant Buffers w/Mangrove

 Salt- tolerant, beach plants  Known plant associates with mangrove  Plant bunchgrasses and vines  Florida-Friendly mulch– pine straw

Bunch Beach Other plants associated with mangroves Cocos CoconutPalm Erithalis Black torch nucifera

fruticosa

Thespesia Seaside Mahoe

populnea

Other flowers associated with mangroves Spartina Sand Cordgrass

spp.

Ageratum Seashore Ageratum

littorale

Batis Saltwort

maritima

Other flowers associated with mangroves Borrichia Seaside Ox

arborescens - eye

Bay Cedar Suriana Cordia GeigerTree

sebestena

maritima

Other flowers associated with mangroves Canavalia Beach Bean (Railroad vine) Hymenocallis SpiderBeach lily

maritima

latifolia

Sesuvium Portulaca Polypodium ResurrectionFern

portulacastrum

polypodioides

Natural Mangrove Buffer

With Seawall Without Seawall

Centennial Park, Ft Myers Gasparilla Island Florida Yard

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrove Fringe along Dock and Wide Border in Mosquito Ditch

Harborwalk at Fisherman’s Village

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Construction Debris on bank Mangrove Island Expanding Red Mangrove Seedlings Emerging

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrove Border Riprap & Sea Oxeye Daisy Buffer

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Wide, Hedged Mangrove Seawall present, Florida Yard (no lawn)

St. James City Salt Water Canal, Seawall present

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrow Hedging w/Window wide width, properly sheared

Ft Myers Beach Canal (B) 1 2 3 4 5 (w)

Peace River, HarborWalk Mangrove w/Riprap Multiple buffers in yard Sloped lawn that’s treated (fertilizer, pesticides)

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrove Hedged Frequently Narrow, Short, Natives in Yard

Placida Marina & Gasparilla Island resident (best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Narrow Mangrove Border Not properly maintained

green buttonwood out-competing Mangrove, riprap rock, Alligator Creek Harborwalk at Fisherman’s Village Mangrove removed on one side Punta Gorda (best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrove not properly maintained

Invasive Exotics not cut out Talipariti tiliaceum, seaside hibiscus Topped, large pruning cuts, prop roots are cut mahoe

)

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) No Mangrove Present, Invasive Plant Buffer

Scaevola taccada var sericea present, Beach Naupaka, half flower, No uses in Florida. Replace with native inkberry, Scaevola plumieri (best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) No Mangrove but Native Buffer Attractive & Easy to Maintain

Seaside Ambrosia Ambrosia hispida (best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst)

No mangrove, Seawall, Steep Slope, Treated Lawn, Coconut palms, Pool Near Water

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Mangrove Removed, No Plant Buffer, No lawn, No Riprap, No Wildlife, Heat Island, Not Florida-Friendly (Worst 10)

(best) 1 2 3 4 5 (worst) Habitat Plants and FFL™ Protect the Solutions Places Borders Shoreline

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Red mangrove grow closest to the water. Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) is an important host larval food for what

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places – 100 http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/ecosystems/_plants/Red_mangr ove/index.html UF School of Forest Resources & Conservation, 4H Forest Resources What is the Mangrove

( pigmalion)

MangroveConservation HabitatPlaces

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species -

/Phocides-pigmalion 100

Mangrove Skipper butterfly –Phocides pigmalion, Family: HESPERIIDAE nectaring on Sea Lavender – Argusia gnaphalodes,Family: BORAGINACEAE. Photo: R.R. Askew, Little Cayman, Jan. 23, 2008 Black Mangrove is the host larval food and a nectar source for this butterfly

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 200

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/ecosystems/_plants/Black_man grove/index.html UF School of Forest Resources & Conservation, 4H Forest Resources What is the Mangrove Buckeye? ( evarete)

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 200

MANGROVE BUCKEYE - Junonia evarete, . The only larval food plant of the Mangrove Buckeye is the Black Mangrove tree - Avicennia germinans. Females lay their eggs on the finger-like breathing roots (pneumatophores). Photo: Ann Stafford Dec. 27, 2001 http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Junonia-genoveva

Black Mangrove Avicennia germinans Family: Acanthaceae

A common pollinating that produces a high quality edible product after visiting flowers on Black Mangrove

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places = 300 What is Black Mangrove Honey

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places = 300 Mangrove forest invaders responsible for declining pristine mangrove habitat

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 400 What are Invasive exotics A plant that has invaded a natural area in Florida http://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu

Melaleuca Australian Pine

Carrotwood

Seaside Mahoe Brazilian Pepper Nickerbean Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 400 Mangrove forests are a mosaic of different types of trees. They provide habitat, micro-climates and shelter while creating a food web for many types of wildlife. Because of this, mangrove species are considered this?

Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 500 What is a keystone species Ecological Services provided of Mangroves

Red Mangrove prop roots benefit Snowy egrets nest in colonies Snook, redfish & tarpon nurseries on thick vegetation

A keystone species is one on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. Mangrove Conservation Habitat Places - 500 Scientifically, White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa),

is distantly related to this mangrove-like tropical tree

PlantsBorders and

MangroveConservation

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100

What is green buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) Combretum Family – Tropical only Leaves are alternate on buttonwood Leaves are opposite on white mangrove

Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders- 100

A coastal SWFL native tree (not) mangrove used to restore beaches, buffer salt spray, hurricane wind protection while providing habitat

Plants and Borders

Conservation

Mangrove

200

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What is sea grape

sea grape Tunnel

Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders - 200

A ‘man-made’ device that stops the natural spread and distribution of mangroves Mangrove conservation Plants and borders - 300

What is a sea wall? Use riprap rock alone or with other aquatic vegetation Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders - 300 sea level rise is a big concern for South Florida Sea walls may prevent mangroves from adjusting to changing conditions Poor water quality can play havoc for mangrove and marine life bordering urban areas. These pollutants could cause the decline or kill mangrove trees. (Hint, study the picture for clues)

Mangrove Conservation

Plants and borders - 400

What is fresh water, eroded soil, grass clippings, turf / palm fertilizer, pool chemicals, pesticide applications, pet waste, trash, fuel from boats, waste sewage, oil from cars, and reclaimed water from irrigation

Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders - 400

Several native clumping plant natives that establish quickly and make an excellent back buffer and border with mangroves.

Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders- 500

What is a Native Florida Bunchgrass

• Sand cordgrass • Muhly grass

• Fakahatchee grass • Dwarf Fakahatchee grass

Mangrove Conservation Plants and Borders- 500 A blade of grass contains small levels of a nutrient known to pollute mangrove estuaries.

Mangrove Conservation FFL™- 100

Nitrogen and phosphorus have been implicated as the nutrients (enrichment) most likely to limit growth in mangroves and are a major threat to marine ecosystems.

What is Nitrogen

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 100 The most common method used to destroy weeds & invasive exotic plants in mangroves

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 200

What is cutting and pulling weeds

1. Manage and monitor invasive species 2. Remove manually plant seedlings below 3ft high & easy to pull by hand 3. For larger ones, cut stems close to ground level to keep plants from re-sprouting

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 200

A substance that accumulates in soil especially during the dry season that will not adversely impact mangroves

wet season dry season

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 300

What is Soluble Salt Choose lawn and landscape plant with high salt-tolerance

Very Moderately Moderately Tolerant Very Tolerant Superior Sensitive (< Sensitive Tolerant (6 to 10dS/m) (10 to 18 dS/m) Tolerance 1.5 dS/m) (1.5 to 3 dS/m) (3 to 6 dS/m) (> 18dS/m)

Centipedegrass Most Zoysiagrass Bahiagrass Common St. Seashore Bermudgrass Augustinegrass Paspalum

• Golden creeper • Sea Oxeye Daisy • Coontie • Beach sunflower • Jamaican caper • Pineland Lantana • Blanketflower • Cocoplum • Prickly pear cactus • Fiddlewood • Seaside Golden Rod • Buttonwood • Seaside goldenrod • Sea Lavender • Scrub palmetto Mangrove Conservation • Bay Cedar • Railroad vine FFL™ - 300 The EC is measured in units of ions - deci-Siemens per meter (dS/m). A type of fertilizer sold to homeowners that may damage mangroves growing in nearby waterways if misapplied.

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 400

What is lawn/turf ‘weed & feed’

Category Type % sold Lawns/Turf 46 Organic/ Based 40 Flowering Shrubs 14 Palms 13 Bloom Pushers 12 Fruit Trees (/ Avocado) 10 Vegetables/Tomato/ Herbs 8 Roses 6 Weed & Feed is a chemical fertilizer mixed with a herbicide Read and follow the product label . Fertilizer use on lawns next to mangroves Mangrove Conservation Do not dump yard clippings into mangrove. FFL™ - 400

Name a mangrove island attracting breeding birds and providing shelter for nesting

Mangrove Conservation FFL™ - 500

- Green Heron Tri color Heron

Mangrove Conservation What is a marine rookery? rookery? marineis a What FFL™ - 500

A DEP trimming permit typically allows homeowners to lower mangrove to what height to provide a view?

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 100

What is 6 feet? "Trim" means to cut mangrove branches, twigs, limbs, ).and foliage, but does not mean to remove, defoliate, or destroy mangroves Improper trimming Trees didn’t retain Permitted pruning leaf mass

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 100

Mangroves were mistakenly removed when a sea wall was put in. Mangrove species will naturally re-establish themselves in front of a seawall using this?

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 200

What is clean native limestone rock or riprap

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 200

Hypothetical mangrove zonation in Florida IFAS, EDIS ENY660: Mangroves

The substrate (muck or soil) under mangroves is often rich in a substance that most landscape soils in Florida lack. What is it?

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 300 What is mangrove peat, detritus or dead organic matter

Mangrove Conservation

Protect the Shoreline- 300

Upland Mangrove that is less cold & frost sensitive

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 400

What is Black Mangrove

Ht. 40’ located upland where inundated infrequently by hurricanes & major storms

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline- 400

A filtration process mangrove plants use to reduce excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 500

What is phytofiltration

A process where mangrove remove pollutants (N & P)from the water

Mangrove Conservation Protect the Shoreline - 500

“……quality landscaping along brackish water conserving water, protecting the environment, is

adaptable to local conditions, and is drought tolerant.”

MangroveConservation

Solutions

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What is Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Mangrove Conservation Solutions - 100 http://www.floridayards.org/ A plant part on black mangrove responsible for excreting excess salt

Red White Black

Mangrove Conservation Solutions - 200

What is the leaf pores?

Salt Excreters Salt Exclusion • (Black) excretes excess salt • (Red) Roots block salt out leaf pores on leaf absorption from the water surface (97% efficiency). Salt • (White) excretes excess remaining in the plant is transported to yellow, dying salt out of nectar gland leaves. at the base of the leaf petiole. Succulent leaves, discard salt as Mangrove Conservation the leaves eventually Solutions - 200 drop off. Florida has large conservation areas called preserves. Mangrove are essential for the survival of a large number of wildlife species but only cover 30% of Florida’s land area. Who controls the other 70%?

Mangrove Conservation Solutions - 300

Who are we?

Hawksbill Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricate • Critically endangered Mangrove essential habitat for older juveniles and adults

Mangrove Conservation Solutions - 300

This mangrove species has far-reaching roots that trap sand and sediments stabilizing and adding shoreline

Mangrove Conservation Solutions - 400

What is Red Mangrove

(w/stilt roots, prop roots, aerial roots)

MangroveConservation

Solutions

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400

Mangrove tree plant part with an adaptation that make them very carbon-rich

Aerial or stilt roots breathing roots or pneumatophores • Mangrove Conservation • Solutions - 500

What is Mangrove Roots

• World’s mangrove in decline (16% threatened from deforestation in the future) • Lost 30-50% by clearing in the past half century • Clearing them is responsible for about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions from forest de- forestation despite making Mangrove Conservation up only 0.7% of tropical forest areas. Solutions - 500

Thank You!