Ragweed parthenium is considered a noxious weed in many parts of the world because of its allelopathic effect on other plants and the health risks it poses to humans. It causes allergic contact dermatitis, rhinitis, and respiratory problems in sensitive humans. Learn more in this 3-page fact sheet was written by D.C. Odero, B.A. Sellers, and J.A. Ferrell, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, April 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag353
Category: Environment
Redheaded Pine Sawfly Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch) (EENY488/IN882)
Neodiprion lecontei is an important defoliator of commercially grown pine, as the preferred feeding conditions for sawfly larvae are enhanced in monocultures of shortleaf, loblolly, and slash pine, all of which are commonly cultivated in the southern United States. Learn more with this 5-page fact sheet written by Sara DeBerry and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in882
Control y Biología del Helecho Trepador Japonés (Lygodium japonicum) (FOR282/FR344)
This 7-page Spanish-language fact sheet describes this non-native, invasive vine which is widespread in damp areas in north and West Florida — its biology and control measures. Written by Patrick J. Minogue, Daniela Chevasco, Francisco Escobedo, and Kimberly K. Bohn, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr344
Evaluating Certified Coffee Programs (WEC306/UW351)
In recent years, there has been a growing interest among consumers to buy products that follow strict standards in their production process and that also are healthy and safe. In the case of coffee, people in the United States are not only interested in the quality and origin of coffee, but many are also concerned about the social, economic, and environmental aspects of coffee production. Coffee is taking the lead in developing standards to address these concerns. This 6-page fact sheet explains the certification process and describe the various certification programs and what they mean. Written by Gloria M. Lentijo and Mark Hostetler, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw351
Integrating Sustainability into Your Ecotourism Operation (FOR277/FR339)
Despite ecotourism’s promotion of sustainable practices and principles, the potential for negative impacts are great in sensitive, nature-based areas such as protected, conserved, and private lands. This 5-page fact sheet provides insight on sustainability practices that could be integrated into ecotourism operations to minimize negative impacts and ensure long-term protection of vital resources. Written by Tinelle D. Bustam and Taylor Stein, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr339
How to Develop a Marketing Plan for Your Ecotourism Business (FOR278/FR340)
Ecotourism is often seen as a simple business for landowners to begin because little infrastructure is needed; however, certain management skills are needed to effectively operate an ecotourism business. A key business skill is the ability to market one’s ecotourism product or service effectively. This 7-page fact sheet describes the contents of a marketing plan and presents external resources to assist in ecotourism operation marketing. Written by Tinelle D. Bustam and Taylor Stein, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr340
Quick Reference Guide: Large Lizards in Florida (WEC307/UW352)
The non-native lizards breeding in Florida now outnumber the native species, and there are several large, invasive lizards that are of special concern. This quick reference guide is a quick reference guide to identification of the largest lizards you are likely to see in Florida, and the appropriate action to take in the event of an encounter. Written by Steve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGarrity and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw352
Water Quality Notes: Alkalinity and Hardness (SL332/SS540)
The terms alkalinity and hardness are often used interchangeably when discussing water quality. These aggregate properties of water share some similarities but are distinctly different. This 7-page fact sheet describes alkalinity and hardness, their importance from management and ecological perspectives, methods for measuring each, and the current state regulations for each in public waters of Florida. Written by P. Chris Wilson and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, October 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss540
Water Quality Notes: pH (SL328/SS538)
Water pH is one of the most common water quality measurements made because it influences a myriad of chemical, physical, and biological processes. The pH of water in an aquatic system is one of the most important water quality parameters because it dramatically influences the bioavailability of some nutrients, metals, and pesticides to plants and animals. This 8-page fact sheet describes water pH, the importance of pH from ecological and management perspectives, common methods used to measure pH, and current state regulations for pH in public waters of Florida. Written by P. Chris Wilson, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss538
Quick Reference Guide: Native Snakes Easily Mistaken for Introduced Constrictors in Florida (WEC305/UW350)
Three non-native species of large constrictor snakes are now breeding in Florida, and several others have been encountered but have not yet established wild populations. This quick reference guide to identification of the native snakes you might easily mistake for introduced constrictors in Florida was written by Steve A. Johnson and Monica E. McGarrity, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Januar 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw350
Options for Unwanted Exotic Pets (WEC308/UW353)
Exotic reptiles, birds, and fish are popular pets. However, many species grow large and require special cages or become difficult to handle. If at some point you are no longer able to care for your exotic pet, you have several options that are discussed in this brochure, written by Steve A. Johnson, Monica E. McGarrity, and Dustin Smith, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw353
A Guide to EPA’s Numeric Nutrient Water Quality Criteria for Florida (SL316/SS528)
This revised 10-page guide provides a basic, concise, and understandable description of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) numeric nutrient criteria for Florida, the background events that led to its release, some pertinent scientific issues, and implications for the future. Written by Thomas Obreza, Mark Clark, Brian Boman, Tatiana Borisova, Matt Cohen, Michael Dukes, Tom Frazer, Ed Hanlon, Karl Havens, Chris Martinez, Kati Migliaccio, Sanjay Shukla, and Alan Wright, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, March 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss528
Should We Use Wood for Energy? A High School Unit (FOR270/FR332)
As communities across the South explore options for reducing carbon emissions with renewable energy resources, local wood may become an attractive possibility. Whether using wood for energy is a good idea and how communities go about deciding whether to build a facility depends upon community residents’ understanding of energy sources, biomass supply and cost, and forest management. This high school unit helps students gain knowledge and skills for making decisions about woody biomass. This 210-page curriculum was written by Jessica Tomasello Ireland, Martha C. Monroe, and Annie Oxarart, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr332
Royal Palm Bug, Xylastodoris luteolus Barber (Insecta: Hemiptera: Thaumastocoridae) (EENY097/IN254)
This insect species is one of the few arthropods that feed on Cuban royal palms which are native to Florida and Cuba, and is the only representative of the small tropical family of Thaumastocoridae in North America. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by T. J. Weissling, F. W. Howard, and A. W. Meerow, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, January 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in254
Drought Decision-Support Tools: Introducing the Agricultural Reference Index for Drought — ARID (AE469)
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a new index called the Agricultural Reference Index for Drought or ARID. ARID is a simple and reliable index to monitor and predict agricultural drought. It is based on a reference crop (grass) and takes into account the soil-plant-atmosphere relationships.
This 5-page fact sheet describes the nuts and bolts of ARID and how to monitor the index on Agroclimate.org. Written by Clyde W. Fraisse, Eduardo M. Gelcer, and Prem Woli, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae469
Drought Decision-Support Tools: Introducing the Lawn and Garden Moisture Index — LGMI (AE470)
Recently, researchers at the University of Alabama developed an index called the Lawn and Garden Moisture Index or LGMI, which monitors the capacity of current soil moisture to sustain healthy lawns and gardens. This 4-page fact sheet explains the nuts and bolds of the LGMI and how to monitor and forecast the index on agroclimate.org. Written by Clyde W. Fraisse, Prem Woli, and Keith T. Ingram, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae470
Drought Decision-Support Tools: Introducing the Keetch Byram Drought Index — KBDI (AE471)
The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is generally used to determine potential wildfire hazards across the southeastern United States and is calculated daily by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry. KBDI is a continuous reference scale for estimating the dryness of the soil and duff layers. Forest managers have identified several uses for the KBDI in wildfire management. This 5-page fact sheet explains the nuts and bolds of the KBDI and how forecast the index on agroclimate.org. Written by Clyde W. Fraisse, Norman E. Breuer, and David Zierden and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae471
Effects of Canals and Levees on Everglades Ecosystems [Fact Sheet] (WEC309/UW354)
Canals and levees are the foundation of south Florida’s water management system. However, degradation of Everglades ecosystems has resulted directly from these structures and their effects of drainage and impoundment. This 3-page fact sheet summarizes the science on ecological and hydrological impacts of Everglades canals and levees. Written by Rebecca G. Harvey, William F. Loftus, Jennifer S. Rehage, and Frank J. Mazzotti, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw354
Possible Florida Invader: Ball Python (WEC296/UW341)
Sightings of this nocturnal predator that is usually only three to four feet long, not established in Florida but very common in the pet trade, should be reported immediately to 1-888-IveGot1 or www.IveGot1.org. This 2-page fact sheet written by Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity provides pictures and information to aid identification. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw341
Florida Invader: Common Boa (WEC297/UW342)
Sightings of this large, nocturnal predator that may grow to 15 feet long and kills its prey by constriction, established in Miami, should be reported immediately to 1-888-IveGot1 or www.IveGot1.org. This 2-page fact sheet written by Steve Johnson and Monica McGarrity provides pictures and information to aid identification. Published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, February 2011.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw342