Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands
In south Florida, tropical hardwood forests (hammocks) occur in Everglades tree islands and as more extensive forests in coastal settings in the nearby Florida Keys. Keys hammocks have been less disturbed by humans, and many qualify as “old-growth,” while Everglades hammocks have received much heavi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2010-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/176909 |
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| author | Michael S. Ross Danielle E. Ogurcak Jay P. Sah Pablo L. Ruiz |
| author_facet | Michael S. Ross Danielle E. Ogurcak Jay P. Sah Pablo L. Ruiz |
| author_sort | Michael S. Ross |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In south Florida, tropical hardwood forests (hammocks) occur in Everglades tree islands and as more extensive forests in coastal settings in the nearby Florida Keys. Keys hammocks have been less disturbed by humans, and many qualify as “old-growth,” while Everglades hammocks have received much heavier use. With improvement of tree island condition an important element in Everglades restoration efforts, we examined stand structure in 23 Keys hammocks and 69 Everglades tree islands. Based on Stand Density Index and tree diameter distributions, many Everglades hammocks were characterized by low stocking and under-representation in the smaller size classes. In contrast, most Keys forests had the dense canopies and open understories usually associated with old-growth hardwood hammocks. Subject to the same caveats that apply to off-site references elsewhere, structural information from mature Keys hammocks can be helpful in planning and implementing forest restoration in Everglades tree islands. In many of these islands, such restoration might involve supplementing tree stocking by planting native trees to produce more complete site utilization and a more open understory. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-497c7ecf1d8b4f42aa9237e26aa8930a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-9368 1687-9376 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2010-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Forestry Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-497c7ecf1d8b4f42aa9237e26aa8930a2025-08-20T02:05:56ZengWileyInternational Journal of Forestry Research1687-93681687-93762010-01-01201010.1155/2010/176909176909Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree IslandsMichael S. Ross0Danielle E. Ogurcak1Jay P. Sah2Pablo L. Ruiz3Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USADepartment of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USASoutheast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USASoutheast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USAIn south Florida, tropical hardwood forests (hammocks) occur in Everglades tree islands and as more extensive forests in coastal settings in the nearby Florida Keys. Keys hammocks have been less disturbed by humans, and many qualify as “old-growth,” while Everglades hammocks have received much heavier use. With improvement of tree island condition an important element in Everglades restoration efforts, we examined stand structure in 23 Keys hammocks and 69 Everglades tree islands. Based on Stand Density Index and tree diameter distributions, many Everglades hammocks were characterized by low stocking and under-representation in the smaller size classes. In contrast, most Keys forests had the dense canopies and open understories usually associated with old-growth hardwood hammocks. Subject to the same caveats that apply to off-site references elsewhere, structural information from mature Keys hammocks can be helpful in planning and implementing forest restoration in Everglades tree islands. In many of these islands, such restoration might involve supplementing tree stocking by planting native trees to produce more complete site utilization and a more open understory.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/176909 |
| spellingShingle | Michael S. Ross Danielle E. Ogurcak Jay P. Sah Pablo L. Ruiz Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands International Journal of Forestry Research |
| title | Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands |
| title_full | Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands |
| title_fullStr | Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands |
| title_short | Using Florida Keys Reference Sites As a Standard for Restoration of Forest Structure in Everglades Tree Islands |
| title_sort | using florida keys reference sites as a standard for restoration of forest structure in everglades tree islands |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2010/176909 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaelsross usingfloridakeysreferencesitesasastandardforrestorationofforeststructureinevergladestreeislands AT danielleeogurcak usingfloridakeysreferencesitesasastandardforrestorationofforeststructureinevergladestreeislands AT jaypsah usingfloridakeysreferencesitesasastandardforrestorationofforeststructureinevergladestreeislands AT pablolruiz usingfloridakeysreferencesitesasastandardforrestorationofforeststructureinevergladestreeislands |