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(1 - 13 of 13)
- Title
- TREE CALLS OF THREE TREEFROGS (HYLA FEMORALIS, H. GRATIOSA, AND H. SQUIRELLA): ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ACOUSTIC CHARACTERISTICS.
- Creator
-
Schad, Kristine, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Male frogs typically call near water at dusk to attract females for breeding. During the breeding season, male treefrogs also emit diurnal "tree calls" or "rain calls" from the tops of trees. Very little is known about tree calls, although many treefrogs use them. Tree calls may be used to attract females, deter males or be triggered by weather conditions favorable for breeding: high temperature and relative humidity, and a drop in barometric pressure. As dusk approaches, male treefrogs...
Show moreMale frogs typically call near water at dusk to attract females for breeding. During the breeding season, male treefrogs also emit diurnal "tree calls" or "rain calls" from the tops of trees. Very little is known about tree calls, although many treefrogs use them. Tree calls may be used to attract females, deter males or be triggered by weather conditions favorable for breeding: high temperature and relative humidity, and a drop in barometric pressure. As dusk approaches, male treefrogs continue tree calls from lower in the trees, and if conditions are favorable, jump to the ground and travel to a nearby breeding pond where they begin their repetitive nocturnal mating calls. The scant published information is mostly descriptive and does not address the fitness benefit of calling from treetops far from breeding ponds. My goal was to determine the function of tree calls based on their environmental, behavioral, and acoustic characteristics. My data indicate tree calls are not rain calls. Each treefrog species that I studied (Hyla femoralis, H. gratiosa, and H. squirella) called most frequently at different combinations of mean environmental characteristics (temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure). Hyla femoralis and H. gratiosa gave tree calls at ambient air temperatures that differed significantly from the distributions recorded when no treefrogs called. Temperature, relative humidity, and barometric pressure distributions of calling activity differed significantly among all three species and from the distributions recorded when no treefrogs called. Hyla squirella called most often at a significantly different mean relative humidity of 1015 mbar; whereas H. gratiosa and H. femoralis called at a median1017 mbar. Means and fluctuations (summarized as SD) of the three weather parameters explained significant variation in tree calling activity (32-60%). Tree calling activity for all three treefrog species were also not significantly affected by subsequent rain. These results indicate that tree calls were not given at random with respect to environmental conditions. My data suggest tree calls are advertisement calls that deter males from an area, as evidenced by partitioning of tree calls among species during the day. In a playback experiment conducted at Chuluota Wilderness Area, Florida (28o38.31'N 81o07.24'W) no significant effect on mating behavior was found for either call indicating that neither tree calls alone or in conjunction with mating calls are necessary for mating . However, due to habitat differences between treatments and a limited number of experimental replicates, further research is needed. Preliminary results indicate an additional four natural ponds should be sampled to determine a possible effect for tree calls. Acoustic analysis showed that tree calls had fewer pulses per call, more time between pulses within a single call, and a higher minimum call frequency than mating calls. Call duration and maximum call frequency of tree and mating calls did not differ significantly. My research has greatly increased the information known about tree calls. My results indicate tree calls are not only "rain calls," a common misperception about daytime tree calls. However, more research is needed to fully understand the function of tree calls.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001658, ucf:47223
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001658
- Title
- LIMNOLOGICAL AND LANDSCAPE FACTORS AFFECTING USE OF MANUFACTURED PONDS BY THE INVASIVE CUBAN TREEFROG (OSTEOPILUS SEPTENTRIONALIS).
- Creator
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Nusinov, Terina, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Exotic amphibians are often detrimental to native biotas. In Florida, the exotic Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) eats native frogs and may outcompete them for resources. Cuban Treefrogs thrive in disturbed areas and around buildings, and often breed in manufactured wetlands such as retention ponds and borrow pits. This study identified limnological, landscape, and biotic characteristics that discouraged pond use by Cuban Treefrogs and promoted use by native amphibian species. I...
Show moreExotic amphibians are often detrimental to native biotas. In Florida, the exotic Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) eats native frogs and may outcompete them for resources. Cuban Treefrogs thrive in disturbed areas and around buildings, and often breed in manufactured wetlands such as retention ponds and borrow pits. This study identified limnological, landscape, and biotic characteristics that discouraged pond use by Cuban Treefrogs and promoted use by native amphibian species. I sampled natural and manufactured ponds in Orange County, Florida, for one year, using standard methods to estimate the species richness and relative abundance of amphibians and their potential fish and macroinvertebrate predators. I determined the relationship between the presence of Cuban Treefrogs and twelve limnological (% vegetation, slope, pond age, pH, % dissolved oxygen, air temperature, water temperature, turbidity, conductivity, depth, perimeter, and area) and seven landscape characteristics (% canopy closure over ponds, building density, distance to nearest building, road density, distance to nearest road, distance to nearest forest stand, and % forest cover), plus five biotic factors (native amphibian richness and abundance, fish richness and abundance, and macroinvertebrate abundance). No relationship existed between native amphibian abundance or species richness and the presence or absence of Cuban Treefrogs. Ponds with a greater percentage of vegetation, large perimeters, and low pH and turbidity had greater native amphibian species richness. Cuban Treefrogs were more likely to be found in ponds with a greater percentage of aquatic vegetation and small perimeters. My results show that building large retention ponds containing low-turbidity water will restrict colonization by Cuban Treefrogs and maintain species richness of native amphibians.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001000, ucf:46837
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001000
- Title
- PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS IN JUVENILE GREEN TURTLES (CHELONIA MYDAS) IN THREE HABITATS ON FLORIDA'S EAST COAST.
- Creator
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Borrowman, Kelly, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor-forming disease mainly found in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting Florida's east coast. Despite increased research on the herpes virus that putatively causes it, long-term assessment is still needed of the distribution and severity of FP. Using the decades-long database compiled by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group, I determined FP severity and distribution at three different sites: Indian River Lagoon (IRL),...
Show moreFibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor-forming disease mainly found in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) inhabiting Florida's east coast. Despite increased research on the herpes virus that putatively causes it, long-term assessment is still needed of the distribution and severity of FP. Using the decades-long database compiled by the University of Central Florida Marine Turtle Research Group, I determined FP severity and distribution at three different sites: Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Sabellariid Worm Reef (SWR) and Trident Submarine Basin (TSB). Fibropapillomatosis occurred in >50% of IRL turtles, 18% of SWR turtles and <1% of TSB turtles. Regression of FP tumors was correlated with its prevalence, i.e. when and where FP was common, tumor regression was common. The probability of a turtle being non-afflicted or mildly afflicted increased with both increasing straight-line carapace length (SCL) and increasing relative body condition (residuals of log body mass versus log SCL). Mean annual growth rates of IRL and SWR turtles did not vary with FP severity; however, mean annual growth rates in IRL (1.10 cm/y) were significantly higher than in SWR (1.05 cm/y) and TSB (1.04 cm/y). Annual apparent survival estimates for IRL and TSB turtles were 0.72 and 0.73, respectively, and were constant over time. Even with increased prevalence of FP, annual apparent survival estimates were constant and similar to survival estimates of juvenile green turtles in areas without FP. In IRL, survival rates among FP Categories 0, 1 and 2 were similar (0.74, 0.74 and 0.81 respectively) and lower only for FP Category 3 (0.63). Thus, while FP occurred in >50% of turtles in some Florida east coast populations, their annual apparent survival only declined in advanced cases (FP Category 3). These data suggest 1) FP afflicts smaller or younger turtles, 2) larger juveniles, sub-adults and adults are either non-afflicted or possibly recover from this disease, and 3) annual apparent survival rates of green turtle populations are independent of FP prevalence except when tumor growth is extreme.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002250, ucf:47853
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002250
- Title
- TREEFROG (HYLA SQUIRELLA) RESPONSES TO RANGELAND MANAGEMENT IN SEMI-TROPICAL FLORIDA, USA.
- Creator
-
Windes, Kathryn, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
As urban areas expand, agricultural lands become increasingly important habitat for many species. Compared to some types of agricultural land-use, ranchlands provide vast expanses of minimally modified habitat that support many threatened and endangered species. Conservation biologists can promote ecologically sound management approaches by quantifying the effects of agricultural practices on resident species. I examined the effects of pasture management, cattle grazing, and landscape...
Show moreAs urban areas expand, agricultural lands become increasingly important habitat for many species. Compared to some types of agricultural land-use, ranchlands provide vast expanses of minimally modified habitat that support many threatened and endangered species. Conservation biologists can promote ecologically sound management approaches by quantifying the effects of agricultural practices on resident species. I examined the effects of pasture management, cattle grazing, and landscape characteristics on both adult and larval treefrogs in a ranchland in south-central Florida. I experimentally determined optimal deployment of artificial treefrog shelters constructed of polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe to efficiently sample adult treefrogs (Chapter 1). Seventy-two shelters were hung on oak trees (Quercus virginiana) and cabbage palm trees (Sabal palmetto) with smooth trunks or boots (residual palm fronds), at all possible combinations of three heights (2, 3, and 4 m), four compass directions (N, S, E, and W) and two water levels (with or without 10 cm). Shelter residence was completely dominated by the Squirrel Treefrog, Hyla squirella (N = 65). Significantly fewer H. squirella were found in shelters on palms with boots than on smooth palms or oak trees (0.29 ± 0.21 [mean ± 1 SE hereinafter] versus 1.3 ± 0.21 and 1.1 ± 0.21, respectively), and shelters with water had slightly more H. squirella than those without (1.5 ± 0.19 versus 0.88 ± 0.19, respectively). Orientation and height did not affect the number of treefrogs encountered; thus, the optimal protocol is to deploy shelters on either smooth palms or oak trees, with water, at 2 m height for easy sampling, and in random compass orientations. I used this protocol to sample H. squirella in woodlots surrounding twelve wetlands and examined how time, frog stage and sex, and landscape features influenced treefrog survival, recapture and site fidelity (Chapter 2). I deployed 15 shelters/ha of woodlot within a 100 m buffer around each wetland. I sampled shelters three times during the fall breeding season, removed all shelters to force frogs to overwinter in natural refugia, and replaced shelters for the final spring sampling. During sampling periods, I sexed, measured, and individually marked each frog using visual implant elastomer (VIE) tags. I used Program MARK to build linear models that included either gender group (female, male or juvenile) or life history stage (adult, juvenile) and either time (sampling interval 1, 2, or 3) or season (fall, spring). I used the most informative model as a null model to assess effects of landscape covariates on survival and recapture. Females had higher survival than either males or juveniles, for which estimates were similar (0.867 vs 0.741 and 0.783, respectively). Survival did not vary over time, although there was some support for an effect of season, with lower survival during the final over-wintering period than in the fall intervals (relative variable importance: group = 0.730; stage = 0.134; time = 0.200; season = 0.310). Adults had higher recapture rates than juveniles (average recapture 0.214 vs 0.102), and recapture for both stages varied over time, with highest recapture in sampling interval two (relative variable importance: group = 0.262; stage = 0.514; time = 0.513; season = 0.229). Hyla squirella was extremely site loyal; no individuals moved between sampling sites, and 95% of recaptured individuals were in their original shelter. Strong terrestrial site fidelity calls into question the traditional ÂÂ"ponds as patchesÂÂ" metapopulation view of treefrog population dynamics. Area of woodlot within 250 m was the most important landscape variable in explaining additional variation in both survival and recapture. Frogs had higher survival and lower recapture in larger woodlots, indicating that intact, contiguous woodlots are higher quality habitat than more fragmented woodlots. Neither survival nor recapture varied with wetland grazing treatments or between pasture types. Finally, I experimentally assessed the effects of cattle grazing and pasture management on larval H. squirella. I selected four wetlands: two in semi-natural pastures (SN) and two in intensively managed pastures (IM). One wetland in each pasture type was fenced so that it was released from cattle grazing (R). I collected three clutches of H. squirella eggs (Clutches A, B, and C) and reared tadpoles in the laboratory until Gosner stage 25. In each wetland, I deployed a total of 50 tadpoles from each clutch into 105 L pens constructed of plastic laundry baskets and mesh window screening. Clutch significantly affected tadpole survival, with Clutch A having the highest percent survival, followed by Clutch B and finally Clutch C (41.66, 32.11 – 53.95 [mean, 95% confidence limits hereinafter]; 9.00, 6.76 – 11.88; 2.89, 2.02 – 4.01, respectively). Wetland type also affected survival, with SN wetlands supporting significantly higher survival than IM wetlands (SN-R: 53.95, 32.88 – 88.13; SN-G: 18.95, 11.30 – 31.36 vs IM-R: 7.32, 4.13 – 12.49; IM-G: 1.09, 0.29 – 2.39). Genetic variation in survival confirms the potential for H. squirella to adapt to rangeland management, but extremely low survival of some clutches indicates that few clutches may be able to survive in low quality wetlands, such as IM-G wetlands. Higher survival in SN pasture wetlands suggest this is a superior habitat and future management objectives should conserve semi-natural pastures and limit further modification of intensively managed pastures, including removing woodlots near wetlands.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003178, ucf:48592
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003178
- Title
- ABIOTIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GREEN TURTLE (CHELONIA MYDAS) NESTS IN NATURAL BEACH AND ENGINEERED DUNES: EFFECTS ON HATCHING SUCCESS.
- Creator
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Balfour, Martha, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Habitat loss is among the biggest threats to conservation worldwide, so habitat restoration plays an increasing role in endangered species management. This is especially true for species with high site fidelity, such as nesting marine turtles. Sand replenishment is commonly used to restore coastal beaches after severe erosion events, and may affect marine turtles and other species that live or reproduce in that habitat. I investigated how abiotic characteristics of sand used in a dune...
Show moreHabitat loss is among the biggest threats to conservation worldwide, so habitat restoration plays an increasing role in endangered species management. This is especially true for species with high site fidelity, such as nesting marine turtles. Sand replenishment is commonly used to restore coastal beaches after severe erosion events, and may affect marine turtles and other species that live or reproduce in that habitat. I investigated how abiotic characteristics of sand used in a dune restoration project at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, affected reproduction of the federally-endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Sand structure and composition can affect egg development and hatching success by altering nest conditions, with nests in fine-grain or very coarse sand suffering decreased hatching success. I determined that calcium carbonate content (27.0% ± 1.4 SE vs. 15.1% ± 3.8 SE), moisture content (3.29% ± 0.26 SE vs. 4.59% ± 0.25 SE), and grain size (427.53 μm ± 14.1 SE vs. 274.66 μm ± 29.1 SE) differed significantly between natural and restored dunes. Hatching success of green turtles (44.7% ± 6.2 SE vs. 65.8% ± 5.3 SE) was significantly lower on restored dunes compared to natural dunes with an estimated loss of 22,646 hatched eggs. Hatching success also decreased as the nesting season progressed. These results demonstrate the importance of regulating fill material used in beach restoration projects; substrate characteristics are easily evaluated and can significantly influence marine turtle hatching success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003376, ucf:48453
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003376
- Title
- BIOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF THE INVASIVE CHANNELED APPLE SNAIL, POMACEA CANALICULATA.
- Creator
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Trexler, Christina, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Invasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted...
Show moreInvasive species are detrimental to native biotas worldwide. Recently, Florida was invaded by a freshwater snail (Pomacea canaliculata) native to Argentina. This snail is a serious pest of rice crops in Asia, but little is known about its interactions within Florida ecosystems. Possible competitive exclusion of the native congener (P. paludosa) is a concern because it is the almost exclusive prey of the federally endangered Everglades snail kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis). My research consisted of three parts. First, to identify possible methods to control P. canaliculata in the egg stage, I experimentally evaluated the effects of photoperiod, substrate availability, and food type and availability on hatching success and hatchling survival. None of these factors significantly affected hatching or survival, suggesting that P. canaliculata could invade many water bodies. Second, I used a randomized block design to assess the separate and combined effects of population density and food availability on growth and spawning of P. canaliculata. Food availability but not density significantly affected growth; snails fed less food grew less, but neither factor affected spawning. Third, I used a replacement series design to assess competition between P. canaliculata and P. paludosa under food limitation. For both species, snails fed less grew significantly less, and snails exposed to greater congener densities spawned less than when exposed to conspecifics only. While my results predict that P. paludosa should exclude P. canaliculata, previous literature and current invasions suggest that the exotic snail may co-exist with its North American congener.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003877, ucf:48725
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003877
- Title
- The effects of non-native species on two life-stages of the Eastern oyster (<)i(>)Crassostrea virginica(<)/i(>).
- Creator
-
Yuan, Wei, Walters, Linda, Hoffman, Eric, Fauth, John, Scarpa, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Since their recent introductions into Florida waters, three nonnative species [()Perna viridis() Linnaeus, 1758 (Asian green mussel), ()Mytella charruana() d'Orbigny, 1846 (charru mussel) and ()Megabalanus coccopoma() Darwin, 1854 (pink titan acorn barnacle)] have expanded both north and south along the Atlantic coast. Very little research has been done to understand how these nonnative species interact with the native eastern oyster (()Crassostrea virginica() Gmelin, 1791), which is a...
Show moreSince their recent introductions into Florida waters, three nonnative species [(<)i(>)Perna viridis(<)/i(>) Linnaeus, 1758 (Asian green mussel), (<)i(>)Mytella charruana(<)/i(>) d'Orbigny, 1846 (charru mussel) and (<)i(>)Megabalanus coccopoma(<)/i(>) Darwin, 1854 (pink titan acorn barnacle)] have expanded both north and south along the Atlantic coast. Very little research has been done to understand how these nonnative species interact with the native eastern oyster ((<)i(>)Crassostrea virginica(<)/i(>) Gmelin, 1791), which is a keystone species that provides important ecological services and economic benefits. To test the potential effects of (<)i(>)P. viridis, M. charruana(<)/i(>) and (<)i(>)M. coccopoma(<)/i(>) on (<)i(>)C. virginica(<)/i(>), I addressed the following questions: 1a) Does the presence of nonnative species decrease oyster larval settlement? 1b) Do oyster larvae avoid settling on oyster shells to which nonnative species are attached? 2a) Do nonnative species decrease survival of juvenile oysters (spat)? and 2b) Do nonnative species hinder spat growth? My manipulative experiments showed that the tested nonnative species influenced settlement, growth and survival of (<)i(>)C. virginica(<)/i(>) in unique ways. (<)i(>)Megabalanus coccopoma(<)/i(>) decreased the total number of settled oyster larvae, but did not influence larval preference or survival and growth of spat. (<)i(>)Perna viridis(<)/i(>) negatively influenced larval settlement and oyster larvae avoided settling on shells of (<)i(>)P. viridis(<)/i(>). (<)i(>)Mytella charruana(<)/i(>) had no influence on the total number of settled larvae but oyster larvae avoided settling on oyster shell with (<)i(>)M. charruana(<)/i(>) or on the mussel shells themselves. Furthermore, both nonnative mussels negatively affected the survival of juvenile oysters, but only (<)i(>)M. charruana(<)/i(>) reduced spat growth. These three nonnative species should be classified as invasive species because all had negative effects on the native oyster (<)i(>)C. virginica(<)/i(>).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005448, ucf:50377
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005448
- Title
- Transforming the Aquatic Urban Landscape: Nutrient Status and Management of Stormwater Basins.
- Creator
-
Skovira, Lindsay, Bohlen, Patrick, Fauth, John, Wang, Dingbao, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Urbanization is a largely irreversible anthropogenic change that degrades environmental quality, including aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater ponds are a popular best management practice (BMP) to mitigate the effects of urban land use on downstream water bodies and contribute significantly to the total area of aquatic ecosystems in some urban watersheds. My research investigated the distribution of stormwater ponds and examined how different urban land uses influenced biophysicochemical...
Show moreUrbanization is a largely irreversible anthropogenic change that degrades environmental quality, including aquatic ecosystems. Stormwater ponds are a popular best management practice (BMP) to mitigate the effects of urban land use on downstream water bodies and contribute significantly to the total area of aquatic ecosystems in some urban watersheds. My research investigated the distribution of stormwater ponds and examined how different urban land uses influenced biophysicochemical conditions and management of those ponds in a rapidly developing suburban watershed in the Econlockhatchee River basin in Florida, USA. I evaluated limnological and ecological parameters in randomly-selected ponds distributed among three urban land-use classes: high-density residential, institutional, and roadways. Ecological measures included characterizing percentage cover and composition of littoral zone plant community and the extent of any algal mats. Limnological measures included physical parameters (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and clarity), and nutrient concentrations (nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen, dissolved reactive phosphorus, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a). I used a subjective management intensity index to compare pond management among land-use classes. Stormwater ponds represented 40.2% of the total area of non-forested freshwater systems in the watershed, and were dominated by residential land uses (43.7%), followed by roadways (14.7%), industrial (2.7%) and institutional (2.3%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that ponds with higher total nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll a (chla) concentrations had lower water clarity, and that both. TN and TP were positively correlated with chla. PCA scores for school ponds, which had the highest water clarity, differed significantly from those of expressway and residential ponds, along the first PCA axis. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed that TN concentrations differed significantly between expressway and school ponds, with expressway ponds having TN concentrations 51.7% higher than schools. Both TP and TN varied differently through time in the different lands uses. Management intensity for removal of aquatic vegetation and algae was lower in school ponds than in expressway and residential ponds, and school ponds contained the highest abundance and diversity of vegetation. Different urban land uses had varying impacts on water quality, and more intense chemical use to control vegetation and algae was related to greater nutrient and chla concentrations and lower water clarity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006845, ucf:51781
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006845
- Title
- Evaluating Floating Treatment Wetlands to Improve Nitrogen Removal in a Wet Detention Pond.
- Creator
-
Marimon, Zachary, Chang, Ni-bin, Fauth, John, Bohlen, Patrick, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Wet detention ponds are used for stormwater treatment across the United States and reduce most pollutants by at least 60%, but only remove 30% of total nitrogen. Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) are an emerging technology that uses aquatic plants suspended in the pelagic zone to remove nitrogen through vegetative assimilation and microbial denitrification. A before-after field experiment evaluated nitrogen removal in a an existing pond in Orlando, FL, retrofitted with BioHaven(&)#174; FTWs...
Show moreWet detention ponds are used for stormwater treatment across the United States and reduce most pollutants by at least 60%, but only remove 30% of total nitrogen. Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) are an emerging technology that uses aquatic plants suspended in the pelagic zone to remove nitrogen through vegetative assimilation and microbial denitrification. A before-after field experiment evaluated nitrogen removal in a an existing pond in Orlando, FL, retrofitted with BioHaven(&)#174; FTWs planted with the aquatic macrophytes Juncus effusus (Soft Rush) and Pontederia cordata (Pickerelweed). Surface water samples were used to compare the nitrogen-removal performance of the pond under both storm and non-storm conditions during a pre-analysis phase (control) to post-analysis after FTW deployment. The evaluation revealed similar TN removals in non-storm conditions during pre-analysis and post-analysis periods (-1% and -3%, respectively). During storm conditions, there was a negative TN removal of -26% in the pre-analysis compared to the positive 29% removal post-analysis. In addition, nitrogen concentrations for organic-nitrogen, ammonia/ammonium, and nitrites/nitrates were used as input for calibrating and validating a system dynamics model to predict multiple, interacting nitrogen species' transformation and translocation across the abiotic and biotic components of water, sediment, plants, and atmosphere. The validated model created in STELLA v.9.4.1 was used to simulate alternative designs to achieve maximum nitrogen removal based on the treatment efficiency in the evaluation. Simulations predicted 60% FTW coverage at the experimental planting density (22 per square meter) could achieve maximum nitrogen removal. Alternatively, similar nitrogen removal could be achieved at only 15% FTW coverage by increasing plant density. The model can be used as a low-cost tool for designing FTW technology applications and monitoring nitrogen transport.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006140, ucf:51168
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006140
- Title
- Biogeography and systematics of the Nerodia clarkii/Nerodia fasciata clade in Florida.
- Creator
-
Territo, Gregory, Parkinson, Christopher, Hoffman, Eric, Fauth, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Biogeography provides a window into the evolutionary history of populations, and helps explain the diversity and distribution of life through time. Viewed from a systematic perspective, biogeographic studies generate convincing arguments to explain the relationships among organisms and categorize them into useful taxonomies. When taxonomies do not reflect evolutionary histories, inaccurate representations of biodiversity confound future studies and conservation efforts. Two thamnophiine...
Show moreBiogeography provides a window into the evolutionary history of populations, and helps explain the diversity and distribution of life through time. Viewed from a systematic perspective, biogeographic studies generate convincing arguments to explain the relationships among organisms and categorize them into useful taxonomies. When taxonomies do not reflect evolutionary histories, inaccurate representations of biodiversity confound future studies and conservation efforts. Two thamnophiine snakes, Nerodia clarkii and Nerodia fasciata, harbor unique morphological and ecological adaptations that obscured natural groupings, leading to controversial taxonomic delimitations. Additionally, population declines documented in N. clarkii compressicauda and N. clarkii taeniata led managers to list N. clarkii taeniata as threatened in 1977. I generated a baseline for continued biogeographic and systematic study of the Nerodia clarkii/fasciata clade. I used mitochondrial DNA to build a parsimony-based haplotype network, infer the phylogenetic relationships between the two species and their thamnophiine relatives, and estimate the divergence times of major N. clarkii/fasciata clades. With these data, I tested biogeographic and systematic hypotheses about the origin and distribution of diversity in this clade. I used principal components analyses to summarize morphological data and discuss ecological observations in search of characters that may unite genetic or taxonomic units. The analyses revealed a peninsular and a panhandle clade in Florida that appeared to diverge as a result of Pleistocene glacial fluctuations. I found no support genetically, morphologically, or ecologically for the current taxonomy, indicating a need for range-wide research to generate revised nomenclature. My results do not support the protection status of N. clarkii taeniata.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004760, ucf:49764
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004760
- Title
- Population dynamics and environmental factors influencing herbs in intact and degraded Florida Rosemary scrub.
- Creator
-
Stephens, Elizabeth, Quintana-Ascencio, Pedro, VonHolle, Mary, Fauth, John, Levey, Douglas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Species have complex and contextual relationships with their environment; both the relative contributions of life-history stages to population growth and the effect of environmental factors on each stage can be different among co-existing species. Timing and extent of reproduction, survival, and mortality determine population growth, species distributions, and assemblage patterns. I evaluate the role of habitat (intact, degraded) and microsite (shrub, leaf litter, bare sand) on population...
Show moreSpecies have complex and contextual relationships with their environment; both the relative contributions of life-history stages to population growth and the effect of environmental factors on each stage can be different among co-existing species. Timing and extent of reproduction, survival, and mortality determine population growth, species distributions, and assemblage patterns. I evaluate the role of habitat (intact, degraded) and microsite (shrub, leaf litter, bare sand) on population dynamics of Florida scrub herbs. Isolated overgrown shrubs and extensive bare sand areas in degraded scrub were expected to decrease seed predation, reduce competition of herbs with shrubs, and provide larger habitat for recruitment. I provide evidence that habitat and microsite variation influenced demography of five endemic and two common native species through effects on seed removal, emergence, and establishment. Habitat and species affected seed removal: endemic species with large seeds were removed in higher frequency in degraded habitat, likely by vertebrates, while species with small seeds were removed in higher frequency in intact habitat, by invertebrates. There was no evidence of differences in individual seed production between habitats for the two common species, C. fasciculata and B. angustifolia. Invertebrates were primarily responsible for seed removal of both species, although peak season of removal and microsite varied with species. Removal of seeds, emergence, and establishment increased with seed density. Matrix modeling indicated that population growth of C. fasciculata was greater in degraded habitat and greatest in litter microsites, and population growth of B. angustifolia was similar between habitats and greatest in bare sand. Contrasting responses among species to environmental factors in intact and degraded scrub indicated that natural disturbances are not ecologically equivalent to anthropogenic disturbances. Idiosyncratic species dynamics in common environments suggest that understanding relationships between life-history traits and environmental conditions will be required to facilitate restoration.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004754, ucf:49791
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004754
- Title
- Juvenile Ornamentation: Its Evolution, Genetic Basis, and Variation Across Habitats.
- Creator
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Tringali, Angela, Noss, Reed, Bowman, Reed, Fauth, John, Fedorka, Kenneth, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Ornamental traits are considered honest advertisements of fitness, and their evolution is usually explained in terms of sexual selection. This explanation remains unsatisfactory in some instances, for example, juvenile birds whose plumage is molted prior to adulthood and breeding. I first evaluate whether juvenile plumage reflectance signals dominance status in the Federally Threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) using a combination of observational and experimental methods....
Show moreOrnamental traits are considered honest advertisements of fitness, and their evolution is usually explained in terms of sexual selection. This explanation remains unsatisfactory in some instances, for example, juvenile birds whose plumage is molted prior to adulthood and breeding. I first evaluate whether juvenile plumage reflectance signals dominance status in the Federally Threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) using a combination of observational and experimental methods. Then I estimate the heritability, non-genetic maternal and environmental effects, and strength of selection on juvenile plumage reflectance using archived feather samples and a pedigree constructed from historical nest records. Finally, I compare plumage reflectance and its use as a signal between a wildland and suburban population of scrub-jays. I conclude that plumage reflectance is a signal of dominance, and that social selection can also drive the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits. In this species, plumage reflectance is heritable and influenced by maternal effects, but environmental effects are inconsequential. Although this trait appears to have an important function, only mean brightness and female hue are associated with lifetime reproductive success. Plumage reflectance was more UV-shifted in the suburban birds, but there is no reason to believe that urbanization decreases the value of this plumage as a signal. However, these plumage differences may facilitate dispersal from suburban areas, contributing to the decline of suburban populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005431, ucf:50413
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005431
- Title
- INTEGRAL PROJECTION MODELS REVEAL INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF BIOTIC FACTORS AND DISTURBANCE ON PLANT DEMOGRAPHY.
- Creator
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Tye, Matthew, Quintana-Ascencio, Pedro, Fauth, John, Nevai, Andrew, Menges, Eric, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Understanding factors limiting population growth is crucial to evaluating species persistence in changing environments. I used Integral Projection Models (IPMs) to elucidate the role of biotic interactions and disturbance on population growth rate in two plants: Helianthemum squamatum, a perennial endemic to gypsum habitats in central Spain, and Liatris ohlingerae, a long-lived perennial endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge of central Florida. In H. squamatum, there was a strong positive effect of...
Show moreUnderstanding factors limiting population growth is crucial to evaluating species persistence in changing environments. I used Integral Projection Models (IPMs) to elucidate the role of biotic interactions and disturbance on population growth rate in two plants: Helianthemum squamatum, a perennial endemic to gypsum habitats in central Spain, and Liatris ohlingerae, a long-lived perennial endemic to the Lake Wales Ridge of central Florida. In H. squamatum, there was a strong positive effect of trampling in the site with the highest plant density and moderate positive effects of seed addition in the site with the lowest plant density. Differences in treatment effectiveness between sites may represent a shift from seed to microsite limitation at increasing densities. Additionally, a distinct drop in population growth rate occurred in the hottest and driest year (2009-10). In Liatris ohlingerae, roadside populations had consistently higher population growth rates than scrub populations. A modest negative effect of time-since-fire was observed in plants that did not experience herbivory. Both habitat and time-since-fire showed distinct interactions with vertebrate herbivory, with herbivory increasing the difference in growth rate between habitats and decreasing the difference between time-since-fire classes. The direct effect of herbivory was negative in all environmental combinations except in long unburned populations. These results demonstrate the importance of considering environmental interactions when constructing population models, as well as the validity of using IPMs to assess interactions in species with differing life histories.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005271, ucf:50558
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005271
