Invasive non-native organisms are one of the greatest threats to the natural ecosystems of the United States. Invasive plants reduce biodiversity, encroach on endangered and threatened species, and rob native species of habitat. This 8-page fact sheet describes many of the current methods used to manage some of the more common and troublesome invasive exotic plants in north Florida forests. Written by Chris Demers, Alan Long and Rick Williams, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr133
Category: Environment
Identification of Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac, and Poisonwood (ENH886/EP220)
Florida parks and woodlands are favorite places for many people who enjoy outdoor activities. Unfortunately, the native plants poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and poisonwood can make these outings a miserable experience. All four contain urushiol, a plant oil that can cause a severe skin rash (dermatitis) when any part of the plant is contacted. Allergic reaction can occur directly by touching the plant or indirectly by coming into contact with the oil on animals, tools, clothes, shoes, or other items. Even the smoke from burning plants contains oil particles that can be inhaled and cause lung irritation. This 6-page fact sheet helps individuals learn to identify these plants in order to avoid contact with them. Children should be taught to recognize these plants, particularly poison ivy, as it is by far the most common. Written by Sydney Park Brown and Patricia Grace, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep220
Hydration in Hot Working Environments (FCS80018/FY1325)
Are you at risk for heat-related illnesses? Summertime isn’t the only time you should be concerned about drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Workers in construction, landscaping, laundry, factory, farm, or restaurant settings, among others, often are faced with hot working environments year-round. These conditions can increase the risk for developing heat-related illnesses, so staying well hydrated is very important. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Jeanine Beatty and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1325
A Fruit Fly, Anastrepha ocresia (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritide) (EENY202/IN359)
This small orange brown fly with patterned wings, banded abdomen, and a somewhat long ovipositor sheath is one of six species of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha that occur in Florida or which have been established in Florida at some time. There is a distinct possibility that this species has not survived in Florida. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in359
Fruit Fly, Anastrepha edentata Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY264/IN543)
Anastrepha edentata Stone has been collected in the Florida keys in every month of the year, but its host plants still are unknown. It is one of six species of fruit flies of the genus Anastrepha, which occur in Florida or which have been established in Florida at some time. According to Division of Plant Industry records, it has not been found in Florida since 1936. There is a possibility that this species has not survived in Florida. It is not considered to be of economic importance anywhere within its range. This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in543
Schoepfia Fruit Fly, Anastrepha interrupta Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY267/IN548)
The schoepfia fruit fly is native to southern Florida. It is known only from coastal counties of south-central Florida to Key West, and only feeds on fruit of the flowering plant Schoepfia chrysophylloides. This 4-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr. and J. B. Heppner, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in548
Orlando, Florida’s Urban and Community Forests and Their Ecosystem Services (FOR290/FR358)
Urban forests, or the trees and shrubs on these land uses, play an important role in providing ecosystem services and are often key components in urban planning and management as well as in environmental regulations. This 10-page fact sheet provides information, based on an assessment of urban forests within the limits of the City of Orlando was conducted during the summer of 2010, on the structure and composition of Orlando's urban forest, the occurrence of invasive trees in the city, the ecosystem services trees provide, including estimating the mitigation of climate change effects and their role in urban hydrology, and how this information can be used to define sustainable urban planning objectives and goals. Written by Edem Empke, Elizabeth Becker, Jessica Lab, Ross Hinkle, and Francisco Escobedo, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr358
Secuestro y Distribución de Carbono Orgánico del Suelo Bajo Diferentes Sistemas de Manejo de Pasturas (SL363/SS564)
El secuestro de carbono en el suelo es el proceso de transformación del carbono del aire al carbono orgánico, almacenado en el suelo. A través del secuestro de carbono, los niveles de CO2 atmosférico pueden reducirse en la medida que los niveles de carbono orgánico del suelo aumentan. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Alejandra María Jimenez Madrid, José Trinidad Reyes Sandoval, and Maria L. Silveira, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss564
Papaya Fruit Fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY21/IN148)
The papaya fruit fly is the principal insect pest of papaya throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the New World. The insect was introduced into Florida in 1905, most likely from the West Indies on papaya shipments. It first became established in the Florida Keys and Miami, then spread throughout the state wherever papayas are grown. Papaya fruit fly larvae and adults have been found in Florida in every month of the year. This 6-page fact sheet was written by H. L. Selman, J. B. Heppner and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in148
Cherry Fruit Fly, Rhagoletis cingulata (Loew) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY203/IN360)
The cherry fruit fly (adult) or cherry maggot (larva) attacks cherry and causes wormy fruits. In Florida it attacks wild cherries and is of little economic importance. Across its range, it breeds in all varieties of cherries including the sweet cherry. This 3-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in360
Hydrilla Management in Florida Lakes (SSAGR361/AG370)
Hydrilla is the most aggressive invasive plant in Florida waters. It can provide some benefits to fish and wildlife at low levels of coverage, but it also can have major detrimental impacts to water uses, causing substantial economic and environmental hardships. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Stacia A. Hetrick and Ken A. Langeland, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag370
Public Opinion about Water Availability (FE845)
This 8-page fact sheet summarizes results of a public survey about Florida water resources. The respondents were asked about the quantity of water in their area, water availability in ten years, the likelihood of prolonged drought, and the effect of climate change on rainfall. Written by Tatiana Borisova and Damian Adams, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe845
Lesser Pumpkin Fly, Ethiopian Fruit Fly, Cucurbit Fly, Dacus ciliatus (Loew) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY258/IN539)
The lesser pumpkin fly is one of several fruit flies found in Africa and Asia, which could become serious pests of Florida agricultural crops if introduced into this state.This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in539
A Fruit Fly, Anastrepha nigrifascia Stone (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY262/IN541)
This small yellowish fruit fly, somewhat larger than a house fly, with rather long, patterned wings is limited to the Florida Keys, from Key Largo Key to Key West. Its two known hosts are sapodilla and wild-sapodilla. This 2-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems, Jr., and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in541
Melon Fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Insecta: Diptera: Tephritidae) (EENY199/IN356)
Within its range, the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), is one of the most important pests with which vegetable growers have to contend. Although found in Hawaii, it is not present in the continental United States. This 5-page fact sheet was written by H. V. Weems Jr., J. B. Heppner, and T. R. Fasulo, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, March 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in356
Engaging Youth in the Environment through the Florida Land Judging Program (SL362/SS563)
The Florida 4-H/FFA Land Judging Contest is steeped in a tradition of enthusiastic participation, challenging science, and dynamic field conditions. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet written by Amy L. Shober, L. Rex Ellis, Edward A. Hanlon, and Christine Wiese, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss563
Climate Change Adaptation: New Perspectives for Natural Resource Management and Conservation (WEC318/UW363)
Climate change is creating new challenges for conservation and management of natural resources. As temperatures, rainfall patterns, and disturbance regimes change and sea levels rise, ecosystems are being transformed. With climate change species and communities may move out of the fixed systems in reserves that were established to protect them, and may not have the needed migration corridors to successfully disperse. The rate at which climate is projected to change in coming decades is likely too fast for many species to genetically adapt or to migrate to new suitable areas. Climate change underscores the need to transform our view of the natural world. While many of our conservation tools and approaches will stay the same, a new perspective will enable us to better apply these tools to meet future challenges. This 3-page fact sheet summarizes recommendations from four recent reviews of the literature on climate change adaptation. Written by Rebecca G. Harvey, Laura A. Brandt, and Frank J. Mazzotti, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw363
Carbon Sequestration and Storage by Gainesville’s Urban Forest (FOR210/FR272)
Cities are a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. This fact sheet demonstrates that urban and natural trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change somewhat by sequestering CO2 but can only sequester a small portion of all carbon dioxide emitted from cities. In addition, decomposing trees and mulch, tree maintenance activities, and improperly placed trees that cause shading in winter can also result in emissions of CO2, so it is important for communities to reduce fossil fuel emissions and manage for and preserve large, healthy trees to maximize the amount of CO2 sequestered by an urban forest. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Francisco Escobedo, Jennifer A. Seitz, and Wayne Zipperer, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr272
Erythrina moths Terastia meticulosalis Guenée and Agathodes designalis Guenée (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Spilomelinae) (EENY516/IN921)
The little known Erythrina moths represent a remarkable case of niche partitioning. In Florida these two species feed on plants of the genus Erythrina (Fabaceae), including the coral bean, Erythrina herbacea, which is native to North Central Florida and is frequently used as an ornamental. This 10-page fact sheet was written by Andrei Sourakov, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, February 2012.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in921
Northern Racoon (WEC34/UW033)
Raccoons are found statewide in Florida in ever-increasing numbers. Urbanization and agriculture often help their population because food becomes more available in these conditions. Therefore, it is not at all uncommon to encounter raccoons near your home or neighborhood. Learn more facts about raccoon biology and how to (legally) solve raccoon problems. This 7-page fact sheet was written by William H. Kern Jr., and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, January 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw033