Everglades Invasive Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring Program: Summary of the First Five Years

University of Florida biologist Mike Rochford with captured Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus).

South Florida has more nonnative species of reptiles and amphibians than anywhere else in the world. Some of these species become invasive and harm the environment, economy, and/or public health. Once populations are widely established, management becomes expensive, long-term, and often ineffective. Early detection and rapid response offers the best chance to contain or eradicate populations before they can spread and become unmanageable. Toward that end, the Everglades Invasive Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring Program provides a scientific framework for monitoring invasive reptiles and amphibians in south Florida. It also monitors native reptiles, amphibians, and mammals to assess impacts of invasive species.

This 5-page fact sheet written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Mike Rochford, Jennifer Ketterlin Eckles, Edward Metzger III, Jennifer Nestler, and Frank J. Mazzotti and published by the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department lists the objectives, activities, and accomplishments of the program over its first five years, and it describes some ways Floridians and visitors to the state can help with the effort.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw431

Alligator Abundance and Hydrology (2003–2013): What Long-term Monitoring Can Tell Us about Everglades Restoration

Figure 1. Trends in alligator abundance from 2003–2012 on state lands (gray areas) and 2003–2013 on federal lands (green areas). ENP = Everglades National Park, NWR = National Wildlife Refuge, WCA = Water Conservation Area.The American alligator is a powerful indicator for Everglades restoration. It responds clearly to environmental change and is easy and inexpensive to monitor. As top predators and ecological “engineers,” alligators affect nearly all aquatic life in the ecosystem. Thus, trends in alligator populations can tell us whether restoration projects are successful. Alligators may be monitored for both short-term responses (body condition) and longer-term responses to ecosystem change (abundance). This 3-page fact sheet discusses trends in alligator abundance. It was written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Jeff Beauchamp, Robin Bijlani, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Laura A. Brandt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, July 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw387

The American Alligator: An Indicator Species for Everglades Restoration (WEC313/UW358)

Adult alligator with hatchling.Scientists working on Everglades restoration cannot monitor everything in the ecosystem to determine the effectiveness of their efforts, so they use “ecological indicators” such as the American alligator. Learn how this works in this 3-page fact sheet written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Frank J. Mazzotti, and Laura A. Brandt, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw358

SL320/SS532 South Florida Conceptual Model

SL320, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by H. Carl Fitz, describes this model that explores the fundamental linkages among the Everglades landscape and the human dimension of the South Florida region — societal valuation, urban and agricultural development, water management, and everglades dynamics. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, June 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss532

SL310/SS522 The Role of Periphyton in the Everglades

SL310, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Pamela Brown and Alan L. Wright, defines periphyton, describes its role in nutrient cycling for the Everglades ecosystem, and explains the ongoing research related to periphyton in Everglades restoration. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Sciences, November 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss522

SL288/SS501 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Everglades: The Role of Hydrologic Conditions

SL288, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Alan L. Wright and K.R. Reddy, describes the relationship between global warming and increases in greenhouse gas emissions, the role of Everglades wetlands in the global carbon cycle and their contribution to greenhouse gas production, and how hydrologic conditions and eutrophication in the Everglades influence the rates and types of greenhouse gases emitted. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS501

SL285/SS498 Measuring Organic Matter in Everglades Wetlands and the Everglades Agricultural Area

SL-285, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Alan L. Wright and Edward A. Hanlon, recommends for growers, managers and researchers the new and simple Loss-On-Ignition (LOI) test for determining the organic matter content of soils. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Sciences, April 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/SS498

WEC242/UW286 Burmese Pythons in South Florida: Scientific Support for Invasive Species Management

WEC-242, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Rebecca G. Harvey, Matthew L. Brien, Michael S. Cherkiss, Michael Dorcas, Mike Rochford, Ray W. Snow, and Frank J. Mazzotti,describes the population of Burmese pythons in south Florida, python reproduction, size and appearance, and the work of the Python Science Support Team. Includes information about how Florida residents can help prevent the spread of invasive snakes, and references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW286

CIR1523/UW280 Stressor Response Model for the Spotted Sea Trout, Cynoscion nebulosus

Circular 1523, a 16-page illustrated circular by Frank J. Mazzotti, Leonard G. Pearlstine, Tomma Barnes, Stephen A. Bortone, Kevin Chartier, Alicia M. Weinstein, and Donald DeAngelis, is one of a suite of Caloosahatchee estuary models which are being considered together for Everglades restoration plan evaluation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW280

CIR1524/UW281 Stressor Response Model for Tape Grass (Vallisneria americana)

Circular 1524, a 22-page illustrated circular by Frank J. Mazzotti, Leonard G. Pearlstine, Tomma Barnes, Stephen A. Bortone, Kevin Chartier, Alicia M. Weinstein, and Donald DeAngelis, is one of a suite of Caloosahatchee estuary models which are being considered together for Everglades restoration plan evaluation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW281