Steven A. Johnson – EDIS Update

Peters’s Rock Agama in Florida

A photo of a male Peters's rock agama on a low brick wall showing to good effect its orange head and tail and charcoal-colored midsection, all set off nicely by the orange bricks and green artificial turf in the foreground.

Florida has experienced more introductions of nonnative reptiles than any other region on Earth. Approximately three times as many species of established, nonnative lizards live in the state as do native species. This 5-page fact sheet written by Kenneth T. Gioeli and Steve A. Johnson and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation provides background information about the visually striking Peters's rock agama, including information about its introduction to Florida, as well as its biology, conservation issues, and management recommendations.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw476

Hurricane Toads

Eastern spadefoots are a common but largely unappreciated species of native toad in Florida. Following torrential rains they emerge from hiding and breed in shallow pools. In as little as 14 days, hordes of raisin-sized froglets emerge and hop away in all directions from the pond or puddle where they were born. Some of them find their way to yards and garages of suburban neighborhood homes. Other unlucky baby toads end up on roads, where they are smashed. This 5-page fact sheet written by Steve A. Johnson and Candace D. Fuhrmann and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation outlines the unique biology of this species and explains how to identify eastern spadefoot tadpoles, young, and adults. It also includes a section on how you and your friends and family can help these interesting and attractive little creatures by engaging in citizen science.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw474

WEC270/UW315 Florida’s Introduced Birds: Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)

WEC270, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Monica McGarrity, is part of the Florida's Introduced Birds series. It describes this shy wetland bird accidently released into the wild during Hurricane Andrew — similar species, native ranges and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecology, ecological impacts, impacts to people and pets, solutions, and how you can help. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, November 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW315

WEC267/UW312 Florida’s Introduced Birds: Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus)

WEC-267, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity, describes this larger black-necked relative of Florida’s native ibises — species description, similar species, native range and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecology, ecological impacts, impacts on people and pets, solutions, and how you can help. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, October 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW312

WEC263/UW308 How To Make a Treefrog House

WEC-263, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Monica E. McGarrity and Steve A. Johnson, provides simple instructions for children to make, decorate and monitor a treefrog house. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW308

WEC261/UW306 The Florida Scrub-Jay: A Species in Peril

WEC-261, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson, Karl E. Miller, and Travis Blunden, provides biological information about the Florida Scrub-Jay and the unique habitat it depends on for survival. It also includes advice for how people can help conserve this unique and imperiled bird. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW306

WEC260/UW305 Florida’s Introduced Birds: European House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

WEC-260, a 7-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Heather Violett, describes this small, seed-eating bird which nests on buildings in urban areas — similar species, native range and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecology, ecological impacts, impacts on people and pets, solutions, and how you can help. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW305

WEC257/UW302 Florida’s Introduced Birds: Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

WEC-257, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Sam Logue, introduces this small to medium-sized member of the parrot family that has become an established non-native bird in Florida — species description, similar species, native range and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecology, ecological impacts, impacts on people and pets, solutions, and how you can help. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW302

WEC225/UW300 Florida’s Introduced Birds: European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

WEC-255, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Walter Givens, introduces the European Starling — species description, similar species, native range and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecological impacts, impacts to people and pets, and solutions. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW300

WEC256/UW301 Florida’s Introduced Birds: The Eurasian Collared-Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

WEC-256, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Gay Donaldson-Fortier, introduces the Eurasian Collared-Dove — species description, similar species, native range and habitats, mode of introduction, introduced range and habitats, ecological impacts, impacts to people and pets, and solutions. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW301

WEC252/UW297 Florida’s Introduced Birds: An Overview

WEC-252, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Monica McGarrity, is the first of a series of documents about Florida's non-native birds and their impacts on our state’s native ecosystems and human residents. It discusses when an introduced species is considered invasive, how invasive birds impact us, and what you can do. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW297

WEC253/UW298 Florida’s Introduced Birds: House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)

WEC-253, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Steve A. Johnson and Jill Sox, introduces this small, seed-eating songbird native to the southwestern United States, but whose range has extended to northern parts of Florida since the 1950s. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW298

WEC251/UW296 The Florida Pinesnake: Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus

WEC-251, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Gabriel J. Miller, Steve A. Johnson, Lora L. Smith, and Joseph W. Jones, describes this large, handsome, heavy-bodied snake with dark brown or rust-colored blotches on a light cream to tan background — similar species, distribution and habitats, behavior, diet, reproduction, and conservation. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW296

WEC250/UW295 Gopher Frogs, Burrows, and Fire: Interactions in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem

WEC-250, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Elizabeth A. Roznik and Steve A. Johnson, helps land stewards understand the relationships between fire, burrowing animals, and the animals that use burrows, such as the gopher frog. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2009.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW295

WEC244/UW285 Ecological Engineers: Southeastern Pocket Gophers Are One of Nature’s Architects

WEC-244, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Gabriel J. Miller, Steve A. Johnson, and Lora L. Smith, explains autogenic and allogenic environmental engineering, with brief discussions of live oak trees and beavers as examples, and describes the southeastern pocket gopher’s role in Florida ecosystems as an allogenic environmental engineer. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2008.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW285