Natural systems use the natural processes of wetland ecosystems to both transform and hold on to many of the common pollutants that occur in household wastewater. This 8-page fact sheet briefly describes the principles and added benefits of natural systems. It then focuses on their use for treating small municipal wastewater flows from commercial and residential sites (i.e., septic systems or decentralized wastewater systems). Written by Kiara Winans, Shanin Speas-Frost, Mike Jerauld, Mark Clark, and Gurpal Toor, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss566
Category: Community Development
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (FOR288/FR356)
A GIS can be used in land management to document existing conditions, plan future operations, and archive completed work. Farming applications include soil productivity for different crops, crop yield prediction, and determining fertilizer and pesticide application rates. Forestry applications include estimating forest stand acreage, determining forest stand characteristics, and determining where to harvest. This 4-page fact sheet was written by John Lagrosa, Chris Demers, and Michael Andreu, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr356
Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase: Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment (WEC319/UW364)
Because so much area in subdivisions is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and driveways, stormwater runoff must be accounted for and treated to prevent flooding and to remove contaminates. Often, stormwater runoff impacts surrounding landscapes and water bodies due to nutrient loading. In this 7-page fact sheet, we discuss the importance of using a more distributed stormwater treatment system that treats runoff closer to the source. Often called Low Impact Development (LID), this stormwater management approach is being used to more effectively remove pollutants from runoff. Written by Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw364
2011 Florida Population Growth Is Third Largest in United States … But Still Not Close to Pre-Recession Levels (FE904)
Overall, from July 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 Florida’s population increased by almost 219,000 people, which was the third largest increase in all US states. In this 4-page fact sheet UF/IFAS economist Rodney L. Clouser explores the implications of this trend. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe904
2012 Florida Policy Issues and Elections (FE899)
Since the legislative session will convene on January 10, rather than on the typical start date in March, it’s time for all Florida residents to begin thinking and educating themselves. This 4-page fact sheet explains some of the key 2012 policy issues. Written by Rodney L. Clouser, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe899
Landscape Diversity: Multiple-Use Landscapes for Reclaimed Phosphatic Clay Areas (SL229/SS449)
With planning, communities can use reclaimed phosphatic clay areas for agriculture and at the same time restore lost wetlands, improve water quality and water use efficiency, and retain areas valuable to wildlife. This 5-page concept paper was written by E.A. Hanlon, M. Wilson, C. Beavers, and J. Cates, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss449
Assessing Economic Impacts and Benefits of Commercial Horticulture Extension Programs (FE898)
As fiscal pressures increase from federal and state government agencies to spend public dollars more effectively, it is imperative that the outcomes from educational efforts be clearly documented in terms of measurable changes in knowledge and behavior of clientele or stakeholders. This 5-page fact sheet presents a standardized approach for evaluating the economic impacts of extension educational programs in commercial horticulture in Florida, with which impacts are quantified in terms of measurable changes in revenues, income, or jobs. Written by Alan Hodges, Shawn Steed, Jane Morse, Peggy Dessaint, Donald Rainey, and Charles Vavrina, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, September 2011. (AP Photo:Thomas Wright, University of Florida/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe898
Ley del Estado de la Florida para el avalúo tributario de tierras según su uso: Preguntas y respuestas sobre la Clasificación Agropecuaria en el Condado de Miami-Dade (FE895)
Use-value assessment is the most widely used technique in the United States today for maintaining land in agricultural production. Although general guidelines are provided to Florida counties on the application of the state’s use-value assessment law, counties may vary slightly in the application and determination of the agricultural land’s value. Therefore, it is important for agricultural landowners to understand the guidelines used to determine value in the county where the land is assessed and taxed. This 6-page factsheet applies specifically to Miami-Dade County, Florida. Written by Edward A. Evans, Mauricio Mosquera, Rodney L. Clouser y Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe895
Miami-Dade County’s Urban Forests and Their Ecosystem Services (FOR285/FR347)
The urban forest in Miami-Dade County reduces air pollution, controls stormwater, reduces crime, increases real estate values, and improves livability. This 14-page fact sheet can be used by urban foresters, residents, and planners to better understand and maximize the benefits of this important natural resource. Written by Francisco Escobedo, Joy Klein, Micah Pace, Henry Mayer, and Sebastian Varela, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2011. (UF/IFAS Photo by Eric Zamora)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr347
Leadership Principles for Today’s Residential Real Estate Brokers (HR029)
Despite the turmoil and dying nature of the residential brokerage industry, there exists a hidden opportunity for those real estate brokers who are willing to implement the leadership principles discussed herein to effectively build, grow, and sustain a new residential real estate brokerage business model. This 7-page fact sheet was written by Aarambh Shah and Allen Wysocki, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics , May 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hr029
Florida’s Use-Value Assessment Law: Questions and Answers for Miami-Dade County Agricultural Classification (FE890)
Use-value assessment is the most widely used technique in the United States today for maintaining land in agricultural production. Although general guidelines are provided to Florida counties on the application of the state’s use-value assessment law, counties may vary slightly in the application and determination of the agricultural land’s value. Therefore, it is important for agricultural landowners to understand the guidelines used to determine value in the county where the land is assessed and taxed. This 5-page factsheet applies specifically to Miami-Dade County, Florida. Written by Edward A. Evans, Mauricio Mosquera, Rodney L. Clouser, and Jonathan Crane, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe890
An Introduction to Freely Available Street Network Data (FOR281/FR343)
Projects in agricultural and natural resource management, urban planning, and community development typically use some kind of spatial data for analysis and mapping. Applications and websites exist which allow the user to view spatial data and perform some basic spatial operations (e.g., compute the distance between two locations). This 6-page fact sheet focuses on data sources that allow users to download free street data for further processing and analysis. Written by Hartwig H. Hochmair and Dennis Zielstra, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr343
FOR271/FR333 Florida’s Urban Soils: Underfoot Yet Overlooked
FOR271, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Donald Hagan, Cynnamon Dobbs, and Francisco Escobedo, provides an overview of Florida’s urban soils emphasizing their ecosystem services and sustainable management. Includes references and glossary. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, July 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr333
FE839 Using Implicit Economic Multipliers to Guide Local Economic Development: An Agricultural Example in Brevard County, Florida
FE839, an 8-page fact sheet by Rodney L. Clouser, Mohammad Rahmani, Alan Hodges, and Jim Fletcher, provides an example of information for a Florida county, using Brevard County as a model, that can assist in the economic development decision process, which can be completed for minimal expenditures and can aid in the success of economic development efforts. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe839
FE840 Using Implicit Economic Multipliers to Guide Local Economic Development: An Agricultural Example in St. Johns County, Florida
FE840, an 8-page fact sheet by Rodney L. Clouser, Mohammad Rahmani, Alan Hodges, and David Dinkins, provides an example of information for a Florida county, using St. Johns County as a model, that can assist in the economic development decision process, which can be completed for minimal expenditures and can aid in the success of economic development efforts. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, August 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe840
SL324/SS536 Key Physical and Chemical Properties of Tampa’s Urban Soils
SL324, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Donald Hagan, Francisco Escobedo, Gurpal Toor, Cynnamon Dobbs, and Michael Andreu, maps and provides an overview of four key soil properties: bulk density, organic matter, phosphorus, and lead. It explains how these properties vary across different land uses in Tampa using geostatistics and geographical information systems. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Sciences, July 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss536
WEC283/UW328 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Dark-sky Lighting
WEC283, a 4-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler, discusses how to manage lighting during the construction phase and explains the importance of good lighting to biodiversity in a conservation subdivision. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, April 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw328
WEC280/UW325 Conservation Subdivision: Design Phase – Wildlife-friendly Transportation Network
WEC280, a 5-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Michael Moulton, discusses road designs and placement strategies that will minimize impacts on local wildlife populations and enhance wildlife movement. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw325
WEC278/UW323 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Protecting Trees and Conserved Natural Areas
WEC278, a 6-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Glenn Acomb, discusses techniques and strategies that minimize impacts of the construction process on conserved trees and natural areas. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, March 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw323
WEC284/UW329 Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase – Native Landscaping Palette
WEC284, a 9-page illustrated fact sheet by Mark Hostetler and Martin B. Main, discusses the importance of emphasizing native plants when selecting a landscape palette. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw284