DOCSLIB.ORG

Nutrient Constraints on Plant Community Production and Organic Matter Accumulation of Subtropical Floating Marshes Guerry O., Jr

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Nutrient Constraints on Plant Community Production and Organic Matter Accumulation of Subtropical Floating Marshes Guerry O., Jr Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2006 Nutrient constraints on plant community production and organic matter accumulation of subtropical floating marshes Guerry O., Jr. Holm Jr. Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons Recommended Citation Holm, Guerry O., Jr. Jr., "Nutrient constraints on plant community production and organic matter accumulation of subtropical floating marshes" (2006). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 273. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/273 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. NUTRIENT CONSTRAINTS ON PLANT COMMUNITY PRODUCTION AND ORGANIC MATTER ACCUMULATION OF SUBTROPICAL FLOATING MARSHES A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences by Guerry O. Holm, Jr. B.S., University of Georgia, 1993 M.S., Louisiana State University, 1998 December 2006 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS During my years of graduate school, I learned scientists are human, and science is not exclusive of personality despite what the purists say. I have been fortunate to know how some successful scientists think, make a living, and work toward understanding. My committee has helped me see these things in unique ways. My full gratitude goes to Dr. Charles E. Sasser. Not just for his guidance as professor, but he showed me a model for living that I thoroughly respect. Charles is a mentor who teaches by example and encourages individual thinking. I am fortunate for the opportunity of working and knowing such a remarkable naturalist, scientist, and above all, genuine person. I count him among my lifelong friends. My other committee members played unique roles in my development, mostly through their tacit wisdoms. Dr. Irving A. Mendelssohn made time to answer questions about wetland plant biology, greenhouse plant cultivation, and nutrient solution preparation. By example, Irv showed me the importance of objectivity and the disarming value of admitting the limits of your knowledge. Another member of my committee, Dr. Dubravko Justic, has a passion for big questions, and although a discussion may begin with science, it always comes to rest with something personal. Dubravko sees the questions of science and people as inseparable. I admire his ability to see how it all fits together. Dr. Jaye E. Cable is among the brightest and most energetic faculty in our department—a positive role model for new students who want to find success in science. She gave me a glimpse into how a young investigator can balance her family life and still have an extraordinary research program. My dean’s representative, Dr. Kurt Svoboda, ii made my job simple: he was approachable and supportive. Looking back, my committee could not have been more professional and refreshingly devoid of ego issues. Mike Francis made it possible for me to get my fieldwork done in comfort by offering his camp, Maison Misere—thank you Mike. I appreciate Roger Vincent for giving me access to Miami Corporation land. I am grateful to Elaine Evers (GIS expertise) and Erick Swenson (gage guru) for making my work easier. Charlie Milan and Tom Oswald helped me with water and soil chemistry. Dr. James Gosselink always showed interest in my development and helped in practical ways. Fieldwork was made more enjoyable by the hard work of my friends Jay Gore and Lee Stanton. The sanity keepers included: Brian Perez (chef extraordinaire) and Saturday college ball (you too, Angie); the Piazza’s and ‘ienda’ (where true stories, half-truths, and damned lies are perpetuated, alongside good food and malt). Hilary Collis always gave me a laugh, smile, or hug at the right times. At a young age, my mom gave me comfort, showed me nature, and released me. My sister is my best friend (save the Wet-Willie’s), and I could not imagine life without her. Today, most dearly, I think of my father. Pop showed me that life must be lived with great humor, for how else can we bear life’s tragedies? I will always adore our memories together among the woods and waters. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................................ ii LIST OF TABLES............................................................................................................ vii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1. WETLAND ORGANIC MATTER ACCUMULATION AND FLOATING MARSHES OF LOUISIANA............................................................................................. 1 Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 Wetland Nutrient Enrichment......................................................................................... 2 Plant Competition ........................................................................................................... 2 Wetland Organic Matter Formation................................................................................ 3 Floating Marshes in Louisiana........................................................................................ 4 Research Objectives........................................................................................................ 8 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2. THE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF THE WETLAND GRASS, PANICUM HEMITOMON OR MAIDENCANE ............................................................. 12 Introduction................................................................................................................... 12 Description and General Characteristics....................................................................... 12 Distribution, Habitats, and Assemblages...................................................................... 14 Reproduction................................................................................................................. 16 Growth Factors.............................................................................................................. 17 Sediment Type and Nutrient Chemistry ................................................................... 17 Fire ............................................................................................................................ 18 Flooding .................................................................................................................... 20 Grazing...................................................................................................................... 21 Salt Tolerance ........................................................................................................... 21 Uses for Soil and Water Remediation........................................................................... 22 Wildlife Habitat Use and Value.................................................................................... 25 Planting and Management............................................................................................. 26 Ecotypes.................................................................................................................... 26 Propagation and Field Establishment........................................................................ 26 Methods of Control................................................................................................... 28 Synthesis ....................................................................................................................... 28 Literature Cited ............................................................................................................. 29 CHAPTER 3. THE EFFECTS OF NUTRIENT-ENRICHMENT ON BELOWGROUND ORGANIC MATTER ACCUMULATION OF SUBTROPICAL FLOATING MARSHES........................................................................................................................ 39 Introduction................................................................................................................... 39 Materials and Methods.................................................................................................. 42 iv Study Sites ................................................................................................................ 42 Water and Soil Nutrients........................................................................................... 43 Hydrologic Variables................................................................................................ 44 Belowground Accumulation ..................................................................................... 44 Belowground
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Improved Conservation Plant Materials Released by NRCS and Cooperators Through December 2014
    Natural Resources Conservation Service Improved Conservation Plant Materials Released by Plant Materials Program NRCS and Cooperators through December 2014 Page intentionally left blank. Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Materials Program Improved Conservation Plant Materials Released by NRCS and Cooperators Through December 2014 Norman A. Berg Plant Materials Center 8791 Beaver Dam Road Building 509, BARC-East Beltsville, Maryland 20705 U.S.A. Phone: (301) 504-8175 prepared by: Julie A. DePue Data Manager/Secretary [email protected] John M. Englert Plant Materials Program Leader [email protected] January 2015 Visit our Website: http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov TABLE OF CONTENTS Topics Page Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Types of Plant Materials Releases ........................................................................................................................2 Sources of Plant Materials ....................................................................................................................................3 NRCS Conservation Plants Released in 2013 and 2014 .......................................................................................4 Complete Listing of Conservation Plants Released through December 2014 ......................................................6 Grasses ......................................................................................................................................................8
    [Show full text]
  • Weed Control in Florida Ponds1
    Archival copy: for current recommendations see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu or your local extension office. CIR 707 Weed Control in Florida Ponds1 D.D. Thayer, K. A. Langeland, W.T. Haller, and J.C. Joyce2 Ponds are often built to supplement farm income Site Selection via fish production, for personal enjoyment, or for stormwater management. Soon after the pond is Where you dig a pond can be an important constructed, unforeseen problems often arise. One decision when it comes to preventive control. Proper major problem that occurs is that the pond becomes location can help minimize erosion and nutrient clogged with aquatic plants. The level at which an enrichment from the runoff of silt and inorganic and aquatic plant becomes a weed problem depends on organic fertilizers that decrease the lifespan of the the pond's intended use. A farm pond used primarily pond and limit its usefulness. for weekend fishing can tolerate considerably more Whether you fertilize your pond for fish vegetation than a pond constructed specifically for production or avoid intentional nutrient enrichment, fish production and/or irrigation. Shoreline grasses sites near fertilized fields, feedlots, barnyards, septic can help stabilize and prevent bank erosion, but out of tanks, gardens, roadways, or other sources of runoff control grasses may encroach into the water, where should be avoided. Agricultural and domestic runoff they restrict access and usability. This circular such as from parking lots and roadways may also provides information on aquatic weed identification contribute heavy metals, oils, and pesticide and control for farm and aquaculture ponds. contaminants. If an “ideal” pond location cannot be Prevention is the best technique for reducing found, a berm to divert runoff away from the pond takeover by aquatic weeds.
    [Show full text]
  • Host Specificity of Ischnodemus Variegatus, an Herbivore of West
    BioControl DOI 10.1007/s10526-008-9188-3 Host specificity of Ischnodemus variegatus, an herbivore of West Indian marsh grass (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) Rodrigo Diaz Æ William A. Overholt Æ James P. Cuda Æ Paul D. Pratt Æ Alison Fox Received: 31 January 2008 / Accepted: 17 July 2008 Ó International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) 2008 Abstract West Indian marsh grass, Hymenachne to suboptimal hosts occurred in an area where amplexicaulis Rudge (Nees) (Poaceae), is an emer- H. amplexicaulis was growing in poor conditions gent wetland plant that is native to South and Central and there was a high density of I. variegatus. Thus, America as well as portions of the Caribbean, but is laboratory and field studies demonstrate that considered invasive in Florida USA. The neotropical I. variegatus had higher performance on H. amplexi- bug, Ischnodemus variegatus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: caulis compared to any other host, and that suboptimal Lygaeoidea: Blissidae) was observed feeding on hosts could be colonized temporarily. H. amplexicaulis in Florida in 2000. To assess whether this insect could be considered as a specialist Keywords Blissidae Á Hemiptera Á Herbivore biological control agent or potential threat to native performance Á Host quality Á Poaceae and cultivated grasses, the host specificity of I. variegatus was studied under laboratory and field conditions. Developmental host range was examined Introduction on 57 plant species across seven plant families. Complete development was obtained on H. amplexi- West Indian marsh grass, Hymenachne amplexicaulis caulis (23.4% survivorship), Paspalum repens (0.4%), Rudge (Nees) (Poaceae), is a perennial emergent Panicum anceps (2.2%) and Thalia geniculata weed in wetlands of Florida USA and northeastern (0.3%).
    [Show full text]
  • Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Dark Septate Fungi in Plants Associated with Aquatic Environments Doi: 10.1590/0102-33062016Abb0296
    Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and dark septate fungi in plants associated with aquatic environments doi: 10.1590/0102-33062016abb0296 Table S1. Presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and/or dark septate fungi (DSF) in non-flowering plants and angiosperms, according to data from 62 papers. A: arbuscule; V: vesicle; H: intraradical hyphae; % COL: percentage of colonization. MYCORRHIZAL SPECIES AMF STRUCTURES % AMF COL AMF REFERENCES DSF DSF REFERENCES LYCOPODIOPHYTA1 Isoetales Isoetaceae Isoetes coromandelina L. A, V, H 43 38; 39 Isoetes echinospora Durieu A, V, H 1.9-14.5 50 + 50 Isoetes kirkii A. Braun not informed not informed 13 Isoetes lacustris L.* A, V, H 25-50 50; 61 + 50 Lycopodiales Lycopodiaceae Lycopodiella inundata (L.) Holub A, V 0-18 22 + 22 MONILOPHYTA2 Equisetales Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense L. A, V 2-28 15; 19; 52; 60 + 60 Osmundales Osmundaceae Osmunda cinnamomea L. A, V 10 14 Salviniales Marsileaceae Marsilea quadrifolia L.* V, H not informed 19;38 Salviniaceae Azolla pinnata R. Br.* not informed not informed 19 Salvinia cucullata Roxb* not informed 21 4; 19 Salvinia natans Pursh V, H not informed 38 Polipodiales Dryopteridaceae Polystichum lepidocaulon (Hook.) J. Sm. A, V not informed 30 Davalliaceae Davallia mariesii T. Moore ex Baker A not informed 30 Onocleaceae Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Tod. A not informed 30 Onoclea sensibilis L. A, V 10-70 14; 60 + 60 Pteridaceae Acrostichum aureum L. A, V, H 27-69 42; 55 Adiantum pedatum L. A not informed 30 Aleuritopteris argentea (S. G. Gmel) Fée A, V not informed 30 Pteris cretica L. A not informed 30 Pteris multifida Poir.
    [Show full text]
  • Publisher PDF (1.269Mb)
    Biological Sciences USE OF STEMS OF EMERGENT PLANTS FOR OVIPOSITION BY THE FLORIDA APPLESNAIL, POMACEA PALUDOSA, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MARSH MANAGEMENT Richard L. Turner Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, Florida 32901-6988 Abstract: This field study examined the distribution among emergent plant stems of egg clutches deposited by the amphibious Florida applesnail in four types of marsh in east central Florida. Clutch density was highest along the edge of sawgrass marsh and zero in deep marsh. Densities in maidencane and mixed shallow marshes were about one-third the density in saw- grass. In all marsh types, clutches occurred preferentially on plants having broad stems that generally exceeded 6 mm in diameter at water level. Substratum limitation for oviposition increased with the frequency of narrow-stemmed plants, but stem height was rarely limiting. The four marsh types did not differ in the protection available to clutches against variation in water level. The plant species most used for oviposition were Cladium jamaicense, Crinum americanum, Pontederia cordata, and Sagittaria lancifolia. Management of applesnail habitat should favor a heterogeneous community of broad-stemmed emergent aquatic plants at mod- erate density'. The Florida applesnail, Pomacea paludosa (Say), is the largest fresh- water snail of North America (Blatchley, 1932; Burch, 1982; Pennak, 1989). It belongs to the tropical and subtropical family Ampullariidae. Its distri- bution in peninsular and northern Florida makes it the northernmost species of the genus Pomacea (Haldeman, 1845; Neck and Schultz, 1992). The Florida applesnail is amphibious and has biphasic gas exchange: It not only obtains oxygen from water by a gill, but it also inhales air at the surface by its lung (Brooks and McGlone, 1908).
    [Show full text]
  • Vegetation Community Monitoring at Congaree National Park: 2014 Data Summary
    National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Vegetation Community Monitoring at Congaree National Park 2014 Data Summary Natural Resource Data Series NPS/SECN/NRDS—2016/1016 ON THIS PAGE Tiny, bright yellow blossoms of Hypoxis hirsuta grace the forest floor at Congaree National Park. Photograph courtesy of Sarah C. Heath, Southeast Coast Network. ON THE COVER Spiraling compound leaf of green dragon (Arisaema dracontium) at Congaree National Park. Photograph courtesy of Sarah C. Heath, Southeast Coast Network Vegetation Community Monitoring at Congaree National Park 2014 Data Summary Natural Resource Data Series NPS/SECN/NRDS—2016/1016 Sarah Corbett Heath1 and Michael W. Byrne2 1National Park Service Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network Cumberland Island National Seashore 101 Wheeler Street Saint Marys, GA 31558 2National Park Service Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network 135 Phoenix Drive Athens, GA 30605 May 2016 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Data Series is intended for the timely release of basic data sets and data summaries. Care has been taken to assure accuracy of raw data values, but a thorough analysis and interpretation of the data has not been completed.
    [Show full text]
  • Floristic Composition of the South-Central Florida Dry Prairie Landscape Steve L
    Floristic Composition of the South-Central Florida Dry Prairie Landscape Steve L. Orzell Avon Park Air Force Range, 29 South Blvd., Avon Park Air Force Range, FL 33825-5700 [email protected] Edwin L. Bridges Botanical and Ecological Consultant, 7752 Holly Tree Place NW, Bremerton, WA 98312-1063 [email protected] ABSTRACT Floristic composition of the Florida dry prairie landscape was compiled from 291 sites in nine south-central peninsular counties. Floristic lists were based upon field inventory and compilation from reliable sources to- taling 11,250 site and community type-specific observations and were analyzed by region (Kissimmee River, Desoto/Glades “Big Prairie,” and Myakka). The known vascular flora consists of 658 vascular plant taxa, rep- resenting 317 genera and 115 families. Families with the highest number of species are Poaceae (103), Asteraceae (78), Cyperaceae (76), Fabaceae (23), Scrophulariaceae (20), and Orchidaceae (18). The most diverse genera are Rhynchospora (29), Dichanthelium (17), Ludwigia (13), Xyris (12), and Andropogon (11). Of this flora 24 taxa are endemic to central or southern peninsular Florida, primarily within the pine savanna- flatwood/dry prairie landscape, and 41 taxa are of Floridian biotic affinity. Although most species are not re- gionally specific, a few (Carphephorus carnosus, Ctenium aromaticum, and Liatris spicata) appear to be ab- sent from the Myakka prairie region, while Marshallia tenuifolia appears to be absent from both the Desoto/ Glades and Myakka prairie regions. Within the dry prairie landscape Hypericum edisonianum is restricted to the Desoto/Glades region. A few other species somewhat differentiate between prairie regions; however, most occur in other habitats in the counties where they are absent or nearly absent from dry prairie.
    [Show full text]
  • Cutthroat Grass Communities
    Cutthroat Grass Communities utthroat grass (Panicum abscissum) is a central FNAI Global Rank: G2 peninsular Florida endemic species, found in FNAI State Rank: S2 Cscattered locations from Orange County south to Federally Listed Species in S. FL: 1 Palm Beach County. However, it seems to dominate natural State Listed Species in S. FL: 13 communities almost exclusively within Polk and Highlands counties, in association with the sideslopes of Cutthroat grass community. the central Florida Ridges. Cutthroat grass communities are Original photograph by Betty Wargo. mostly associated with areas of slight to strong groundwater seepage; however, not all cutthroat grass communities are well-developed seepage slopes. Cutthroat grass communities fall into several community types-a cutthroat grass seepage slope complex with 11 microhabitat zones, cutthroat grass mesic flatwoods and dry prairies, cutthroat grass wet flatwoods, cutthroat grass depression marsh margins, cutthroat grass ecotones between flatwoods and drainageways, cutthroat grass wet prairies, and slash pine/cutthroat grass basin swamp. Each of these can be characterized by differences in landform, topographic position, hydrology, soils, and dominant or characteristic plant species. The cutthroat grass seepage slope complex consists of distinct vegetation zones which vary in hydrology, soils, and species composition, ranging from dry cutthroat grass with only subsurface soil saturation, to mixed herbaceous seepage slopes with a constant year-round water table at the surface of the deep muck soil. Cutthroat grass communities require frequent fire for maintenance of the open, graminoid-dominated character of these areas. The greatest threats to the integrity of cutthroat grass communities are continued fire-suppression and drainage effects.
    [Show full text]
  • LA-05 Monitoring Plan
    MONITORING PLAN PROJECT NO. LA-05 FLOATING MARSH CREATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT DATE: June 13, 2005 Project Description The Floating Marsh Creation Demonstration Project (LA-05) is authorized by the Coastal Wetlands Planning Protection and Restoration Act of 1990 (PLO 101-646, Title III). The initial development of this project will take place in control settings at LSU and UNO. Currently no field location has been determined, but it is envisioned that the field deployment will be on Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge. Components of this project include development of structures to establish Panicum hemitomon marsh in areas that have converted to open water and monitoring the structural and biotic integrity of the created structures. Land loss in coastal Louisiana has been well documented and related to a variety of causes (Craig et al. 1979, Gagliano et al. 1981, Sasser et al. 1986, Evers et al. 1992, Britsch and Dunbar 1993). This loss covers all marsh types, including freshwater floating marshes. Even though the remaining marshes in the upper part of the coast have remained fresh since they were first mapped by O’Neil (1949), significant areas of marsh have converted to open water, and vegetation associations have changed from thick-mat maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) dominated marsh to thin-mat spikerush (Eleocharis baldwinii) dominated marsh (Visser et al. 1999). Visser et al. (1999) identified the following potential causes for the dramatic change in fresh marsh vegetation and land loss: grazing by nutria, increased water levels, hydrologic modifications, and eutrophication. Sasser et al. (2004) show that grazing by nutria may be the most important of these factors in freshwater marshes.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Natural Heritage Program Rare Species Observations for Tennessee Counties 2009
    Tennessee Natural Heritage Program Rare Species Observations For Tennessee Counties This document provides lists of rare species known to occur within each of Tennessee's counties. If you are viewing the list in its original digital format and you have an internet connection, you may click the scientific names to search the NatureServe Explorer Encyclopedia of Life for more detailed species information. The following lists were last updated in July 2009 and are based on rare species observations stored in the Tennessee Natural Heritage Biotics Database maintained by the TDEC Natural Heritage Program. For definitions of ranks and protective status, or for instructions on obtaining a site specific project review, please visit our website: http://state.tn.us/environment/na/data.shtml If you need assistance using the lists or interpreting data, feel free to contact us: Natural Heritage Program Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation 7th Floor L&C Annex 401 Church Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243 (615) 532-0431 The lists provided are intended for use as planning tools. Because many areas of the state have not been searched for rare species, the lists should not be used to determine the absence of rare species. The lists are best used in conjunction with field visits to identify the types of rare species habitat that may be present at a given location. For projects that are located near county boundaries or are in areas of the state that have been under-surveyed (particularly in western Tennessee), we recommend that you check rare species lists for adjacent counties or watersheds as well.
    [Show full text]
  • Weed Control in Florida Ponds1
    CIR 707 Weed Control in Florida Ponds1 D.D. Thayer, K. A. Langeland, W.T. Haller, and J.C. Joyce2 Ponds are often built to supplement farm income Site Selection via fish production, for personal enjoyment, or for stormwater management. Soon after the pond is Where you dig a pond can be an important constructed, unforeseen problems often arise. One decision when it comes to preventive control. Proper major problem that occurs is that the pond becomes location can help minimize erosion and nutrient clogged with aquatic plants. The level at which an enrichment from the runoff of silt and inorganic and aquatic plant becomes a weed problem depends on organic fertilizers that decrease the lifespan of the the pond's intended use. A farm pond used primarily pond and limit its usefulness. for weekend fishing can tolerate considerably more Whether you fertilize your pond for fish vegetation than a pond constructed specifically for production or avoid intentional nutrient enrichment, fish production and/or irrigation. Shoreline grasses sites near fertilized fields, feedlots, barnyards, septic can help stabilize and prevent bank erosion, but out of tanks, gardens, roadways, or other sources of runoff control grasses may encroach into the water, where should be avoided. Agricultural and domestic runoff they restrict access and usability. This circular such as from parking lots and roadways may also provides information on aquatic weed identification contribute heavy metals, oils, and pesticide and control for farm and aquaculture ponds. contaminants. If an “ideal” pond location cannot be Prevention is the best technique for reducing found, a berm to divert runoff away from the pond takeover by aquatic weeds.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Requirements of Four Candidate Fish Indicators Dependent on Lake Littoral Habitat
    Life History Requirements of Two Candidate Waterfowl Indicators for the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes (KCOL) Life History Requirements of Candidate Indicators The two waterfowl indicators examined are the Florida mottled duck (Anas fulvigula fulvigula) and ring-necked duck (Aythya collaris). The mottled duck was chosen because it is commonly found on the KCOL and its habitat requirements are similar to those of many of the dabbling duck species that migrate through and winter on the KCOL each year. By providing quality littoral zone habitat for the non-migratory mottled duck throughout its annual cycle, the habitat requirements for other dabbling duck species during migration and winter would also largely be met. The ring-necked duck, which commonly occurs during fall and winter on the KCOL, was chosen as an indicator to represent the group of ducks known as diving ducks. Florida supports a large proportion (upwards of 22%; Bellrose 1980) of North America's ring- necked ducks during winter. Thus, having adequate wintering habitat for this species in the state is important to the well being of the continental ring-necked duck population. The ring- necked duck is the most numerous species in Florida’s waterfowl sport harvest and the most abundant and widespread diving duck species using freshwater wetlands in the state. This document describes life history requirements for both mottled ducks and ring-necked ducks and critical linkages between particular life history stages and freshwater aquatic habitat characteristics (vegetation type, substrate type, areal coverage, etc.). Mottled Duck Florida’s mottled ducks are nonmigratory and inhabit inland emergent wetlands in peninsular Florida, including those within the KCOL wetland complex.
    [Show full text]