Colonical Bird Use and Plant Succession on Dredged Material Islands in Florida. Volume II. Patterns of Plant Succession

This study was made to determine succession of vegetation on various aged dredged material islands in Florida. Forty islands in five selected study areas were intensively examined. An extensive literature review was conducted. Vertical aerial photographs and vegetation maps of each island are presented. A total of 141 plant species were found to occur on the islands. In Florida, typical island vegetation occurred through colonization by propagules from water-, wind-, and bird-carried sources. Marsh grasses such as smooth cordgrass preceded establishment by upland species such as Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, sabal palm, and herbaceous and grass cover. Bird use of the islands was directly related to the stage of plant succession, and bird fecal material was found to affect the vegetation both adversely and beneficially depending upon location. Recommendations for management include creation of new islands and enlargement and stabilization of existing eroding islands for bird use. Maintenance of unvegetated sites as critical habitat for terns and black skimmers is also recommended. (Author) See also Volume 1, AD-A056 086. Report on Dredged Material Research Program.