Environment – Page 8

Using iNaturalist to Contribute Your Nature Observations to Science.

Florida panther and kittens courtesy Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

iNaturalist is one of the most popular citizen science data portals in the world. Citizens can submit pictures of biological observations to an online data base to be reviewed by the rich online community and used for important biodiversity research around the world. Users can use the iNaturalist ap to plan community projects and bioblitzes and learn more about species identification and biodiversity. In this 5-page fact sheet, authors Matthew Earl Boone and Mathieu Basille explain how observations are vetted and used and give a step by step guide to get started! Published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw458

Opening the Door to Nature: Accounting for People’s Constraints to Nature-based Recreation

Although millions of people recreate in parks, forests, and other conservation areas in the United States every year, research shows that some are left out; not everyone takes advantage of natural areas for the numerous benefits nature-based recreation provides. Results show that many people who do not participate in nature-based recreation feel constrained by their quality of time, not the quantity of time. In other words, they're saying, "Prove to me that it's worth my time to go out in nature. Show me something cool!" Based on research conducted in Hillsborough County, Florida and similar studies, this 6-page fact sheet written by Margaret E. Gullion and Taylor Stein and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation addresses identifies strategies to improve the opportunities natural areas can provide a diverse public.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr415

Marketing Florida-Friendly Landscapes to Florida Homeowners

Useful to retail and landscape firms who are interested in encouraging FFL-related purchases and installations, this 3-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Caroline R. Warwick and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department is an overview of how both DIY homeowners and those who hire professional landscaping service providers perceive the value of residential landscapes and the best methods to encourage them to purchase or install FFL.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1063

Large Lizard Lineup for South Florida

Non-native reptile species breeding in Florida, tegus, monitors, and iguanas from Africa, South America, Central America, and Mexico, currently outnumber native Florida reptiles. This trifold brochure written by Justin Dalaba and Frank Mazzotti and published by the UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department serves as a guide to several commonly confused species.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw459

Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners: Soil Physical Characteristics

Soils are a foundational component of the landscape, providing a medium for plant root growth and playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and water movement across the landscape. This new 7-page article describes the physical properties of soils, including soil formation in Florida, the soil profile, and water dynamics within soils, and provides a thorough reference for Master Gardeners and other individuals searching for a basic understanding of soil dynamics to apply to residential landscapes. Written by Amy L. Shober, Alexander J. Reisinger, Mary G. Lusk, and Sally Ann Scalera and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Soil and Water Sciences.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg458

Design and Construction of a Constant Head Infiltrometer

This new 8-page document details the construction procedure for a Mariotte siphon constant head infiltrometer using readily available materials. Written by Mahesh Bashyal, Michael J. Mulvaney, and Eban Z. Bean, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, June 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag433

The Structure and Composition of Gainesville’s Urban Forest in 2016

Trees in cities were formerly thought of merely as a collection of individuals found along streets and incorporated into landscaping. However, urban trees are now viewed as being part of a unique forest type, and understanding the urban forest’s structure and composition is an important first step towards managing it. This 4-page fact sheet written by Michael G. Andreu, Caroline A. Hament, David A. Fox, and Robert J. Northrop and published by the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation aims to provide a broader understanding of the urban forest in the city of Gainesville, Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr413

BioBlitzes: Citizen Science for Biodiversity in Florida

This 5-page fact sheet written by Mathieu Basille and Kathryn Stofer and published by the UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department is the first of a series designed to help Extension faculty and others interested in hosting citizen-science events known as BioBlitzes. Together, these documents will assist organizers in launching events in their regions, recruiting participants, and sustaining the program over time. This document will focus on the background and purpose of BioBlitzes to help these hosts understand and share with potential participants and other stakeholders the importance and value of the events. Other documents will focus on the details of organizing the events and, for participants, why and how they can get involved.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw449

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Nine-banded Armadillo

Learn more about nine-banded armadillos!

The Wildlife of Florida Factsheet series was created to provide the public with a quick, accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. Authors Simon Fitzwilliam and Raoul Boughton hope this 2-page quick guide and others in the series published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation will inspire readers to investigate wildlife in their own backyards and communities and understand the amazing biodiversity of wildlife in the state of Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw456

Bats of Florida Poster

This poster, created by Meghan E. Lauer and Holly K. Ober and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation shows photographs of the 13 species of bats that are resident to Florida. Text associated with each photo tells the common and scientific name of each species, as well as information on the types of structures in which each commonly roosts.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw457

Economic Value of Florida Water Resources: Valuing the Quality of Water for Household Needs

Florida water-resource professionals deciding whether to implement a costly water protection program or to invest in better tap water treatment technology may wonder: Are such investments justified? What are the benefits of the program or investment decision? Just how highly do Floridians value their water? This 5-page fact sheet written by Tatiana Borisova, Syed Irfan Ali Shah, Tara Wade, Xiang Bi, and Kelly Grogan and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department reviews studies that help assess the value Floridians assign to maintaining or improving the quality of the water supply.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1059

Estasyon Meteyo nan Jaden: Gid pou Enstalasyon ak Antretyen

Kondisyon meteyo yo ka jwe yon gwo wòl nan siksè oswa echèk aktivite agrikòl yo. Kiltivatè yo rekonèt sa e se sak fè yo toujou swiv bilten ak previzyon meteyo pou ka ede yo pran desizyon nan sa ki gen pou wè ak irigasyon, pwoteksyon kont fredi ansanm ak anpil lòt desizyon. This new 4-page publication is the Haitian Creole version of EDIS document AE532, Guidelines for Establishing and Maintaining Farm-Based Weather Stations in Haiti. Written by Caroline G. Staub, William Eisenstadt, William Blanc, Nicole Monval, Clyde W. Fraisse, William Lusher, George Braun, and Lee Staudt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae531

Guidelines for Establishing and Maintaining Farm-Based Weather Stations in Haiti

Weather can significantly influence the success or failure of agricultural enterprises. Monitoring weather conditions can provide critical decision-making information. This new 4-page publication provides Haitian farmers with basic guidelines for installing and maintaining an on-farm weather station. Written by Caroline G. Staub, William Eisenstadt, William Blanc, Nicole Monval, Clyde W. Fraisse, William Lusher, George Braun, and Lee Staudt, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, May 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae532

Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) to Nonnative Wildlife in South Florida

Invasive nonnative wildlife threaten successful restoration of Everglades ecosystems in south Florida. If nothing is done while an invasion is in the beginning stages, populations can grow and become much more difficult to manage, as happened with the Burmese pythons. This 4-page fact sheet written by Justin R. Dalaba and Frank J. Mazzotti and published by the UF/IFAS Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department explains how the Early Detection and Rapid Response method works and how to apply it to increase the likelihood that an invasion will be successfully contained or eradicated while an invasive population is still small and localized.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw454

Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) Flower Extract (BPFE) and Its Use as a pH-Dependent Natural Colorant

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), a twining vine native to Southeast Asia, produces deep blue to purple flowers that bloom nearly year-round in ideal conditions. When extracted in a liquid, the addition of a mild acid such as lemon or lime juice turns the naturally deep blue to purple color into a much lighter pink or purple color, giving the extract its color-changing ability. This new 5-page publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department outlines the use of butterfly pea flower extract (BPFE) as a pH-dependent natural colorant, including an explanation of the science behind the color change, detailed parameters for flower extraction, instructions for storage and processing of the extract as well as a discussion of some of the other benefits of using BPFE. Written by Sean Michael Campbell and Brian Pearson.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep573

How to Promote Bluebirds in North Florida

Cavity-nesting eastern bluebirds use naturally occurring holes in trees, cavities hollowed out by woodpeckers, or man-made houses. You can maximize your chances of attracting bluebirds long-term by providing appropriate housing options and locating the houses in suitable sites. This 3-page fact sheet written by Holly K. Ober and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation provides recommendations on housing for bluebirds in north Florida.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw451

Biologia y Manejo de Nostoc (Cyanobacteria) en Viveros y Invernadores

Este artículo es escrito para ayudar el lector a entender la biología y ecología de Nostoc, un género común de cianobacteria (alga verdeazulada) de suelos húmidos, y proporcionar métodos para manejar esta plaga en viveros. This 4-page document is the Spanish version of Biology and Management of Nostoc (Cyanobacteria) in Nurseries and Greenhouses. Written by H. Dail Laughinghouse IV, David E. Berthold, Chris Marble, and Debalina Saha, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, April 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag432

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Northern Bobwhite Quail

The Wildlife of Florida Factsheet series was created to provide the public with a quick and accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. Authors Tyler Buckley and Raoul Boughton hope this 2-page fact sheet published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation will inspire people to learn more about the northern bobwhite quail and understand the amazing biodiversity of wildlife in general in the state of Florida and in their own backyards and communities.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw455

Permeable Pavement Systems: Technical Considerations

Permeable pavement systems are Green Stormwater Infrastructure practices that can reduce runoff while supporting vehicle and pedestrian traffic. This new 8-page document provides technical details of permeable pavement systems, such as application, system elements, design, installation, operation, maintenance, crediting, and costs, in order to inform planners, engineers, landscape architects, local government officials, and other professionals in the built environment about the considerations for implementing and maintaining permeable pavements. Written by E. Bean, M. Clark, and B. Larson, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, April 2019.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae530

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: Northern Crested Caracara

The Wildlife of Florida Factsheet series was created to provide the public with a quick and accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. Authors Elizabeth Rose and Raoul Boughton hope this 2-page fact sheet published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation will inspire people to learn more about the northern crested caracara and understand the amazing biodiversity of wildlife in general in the state of Florida and in their own backyards and communities.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw452