patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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initial small population sizes. Such rare plant populations would benefit from more specific
management techniques, when it concurs with habitat management, including cross pollination
from other populations (or transplants between populations), reintroduction of pollinators, and
establishment of greenways or stepping stones between isolated populations to facilitate
pollinator travel resulting in gene flow between populations.
It is also recommended that ex-site collections of rare plants be maintained to prevent their
extirpations or extinctions. Such collections of some species are already being maintained by
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG), the Center for Plant Conservation, Marie Selby
Botanical Gardens, and IRC. Where rare plants have been extirpated from sites within their
historic ranges, they could be reintroduced from these collections. Specific examples are detailed
in Gann et al. (2002) and discussed for specific sites in Part III of this management plan.
4.4.2 Animals
Management goals for native fauna in general should be aimed at simply restoring and
maintaining natural pine rocklands habitats, in an effort to support the associated animal
communities. In addition, the following species should receive special attention as outlined
below.
• Gopher tortoise – Management efforts should aim to preserve large tracts of habitat that
are burned at regular intervals to maintain a dense herb layer. Translocation of this
species should be avoided and, when necessary, done only with extreme caution due to an
upper respiratory tract infection caused by Mycoplasma agassizii currently infecting wild
populations of gopher tortoise.
• Rimrock crowned snake – Many of the EEL sites along the Miami Rock Ridge of eastern
Miami-Dade County are within the historic range of this species and contain appropriate
habitat. Efforts should be made to maintain rockland habitat in those parks. Additionally,
this species appears to be somewhat tolerant of marginal habitats so areas surrounding
these sites, even urban development, should be encouraged to incorporate natural
landscaping and to provide cover material for refugia.
• Florida leafwing butterfly – EEL pinelands along the edge of ENP may be crucial for this
species’ recovery. To assist in this process, further habitat loss from development and fire
suppression, resulting in succession, must be stemmed. Other threats to this species
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 35
include chemical impacts of pesticides used in mosquito control and overcollection for
commercial and recreational purposes.
• Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly – In order for this species to recover, further habitat loss
from development and fire suppression, resulting in succession, must be stemmed. Other
threats to this species include chemical impacts of pesticides used in mosquito control
and overcollection for commercial and recreational purposes.
4.5 Exotic Organisms
The invasion of exotic organisms, especially plants, into pine rocklands is one of the greatest
threats to the ecosystem. As discussed in Part I, Section 5.2.2.1 and 5.2.2.2 of this management
plan, exotic organisms can disrupt and alter ecosystem processes, vegetation structure, and
composition. Management of exotic plants and animals is discussed below.
4.5.1 Plants
Exotic plant species are present on all pine rockland fragments (see section 3.10.1). Exotic plant
species that are listed as Category I or II invasives by the FLEPPC (www.fleppc.org) should be
prioritized for removal from pine rocklands. Sparse populations of exotic pest plants should be
removed before removal of denser stands to maximize restored habitat area. Following removal
of sparse populations, denser populations, especially those in more degraded habitat areas,
should be removed. General guidelines for exotic plant control in pine rocklands are discussed
here, and site–specific management is discussed in Part III of this plan.
Prescribed fire can be used as the main technique to control exotic plants. Fires can kill
individuals of many species (e.g. Brazilian-pepper), limit their populations sizes, and, most
significantly, return pine rockland sites to conditions unfavorable for exotic plant invasions. Fire
management is discussed in detail in Section 4.6.
In the absence of fire, chemical control of exotic plant species has been and should remain the
preferred management technique. For some species, especially smaller populations, manual
removal hand pulling, digging, or cutting) can also be used. Control of especially dense
populations of exotic plants in degraded pine rocklands or in disturbed areas adjacent to pine
rocklands may require more planning than removal of sparse populations. For these areas, in
addition to chemical control and manual removal, management may require bulldozing or the use
of other machinery.
All exotic plant control methods in pine rocklands should limit soil disturbance. Soil
disturbances can create opportunities for invasion of the same exotic plant being removed or for
new exotic or ruderal species. While utilizing techniques such as hand pulling or digging, soil
disturbance should be reduced as much as possible. Chemical control or cutting of exotic plants
can also be employed as alternatives to soil disturbing activities.
Management Policy
Exotic plants must be eliminated from pine rockland EEL sites or maintained at very
low densities. Planting of these species on pine rockland EEL sites is forbidden.
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 36
4.5.2 Animals
Populations of exotic animals in the pine rockland community should be evaluated for their
impact to these habitat. In addition to feral domestic cats, already discussed Part I of this
management plan (see Section 5.2.2.2), the following non-indigenous animals have the potential
to impact pine rockland communities to varying degrees. Non-indigenous animals should be
targeted for removal from pine rockland fragments, especially when they alter ecosystem
processes, compete with native wildlife, or damage native plant species. Control of some species
may be impractical or even impossible.
Red imported fire ant – Fire ants may be controlled by treating individual mounds or through
broadcast treatments. While broadcast treatments are more effective at eliminating entire
colonies, this technique should generally be avoided in EEL pine rocklands so as not to impact
populations of native ant species. There are many options for mound treatment, but the most
appropriate and effective in natural areas is probably placing toxic bait directly on individual
mounds. Biological controls are also being tested in Florida and may prove to be appropriate for
EEL sites. These include a decapitating fly of the genus Pseudacteon which attacks fire ant
workers and a fire ant disease, Thelohania solenopsae (Willcox and Giuliano 2006).

European starling – Numerous products exist for controlling starlings, but many of these would
likely disturb native birds as well. There are auditory repelling devices designed to target this
species by emitting their distress calls, but experimentation should be done prior to installation to
ensure that they only impact starlings. Even if effective, this method may only work in smaller
pineland fragments where enough devices could be set up to cover the entire area.
Parrots and parakeets – Managing for members of the Psittacidae family may not be possible.
These birds are highly charismatic and are adored by the public. Any large-scale effort to control
their populations will likely be met with outrage. The only option may be monitoring of nest
cavities and manual removal of non-native birds.
Lobate lac scale – Protected pine rockland areas should be monitored for the presence of this
species and control measures implemented in the area if detected. Some woody plant species

initial small population sizes. Such rare plant populations would benefit from more specific

management techniques, when it concurs with habitat management, including cross pollination

from other populations (or transplants between populations), reintroduction of pollinators, and

establishment of greenways or stepping stones between isolated populations to facilitate

pollinator travel resulting in gene flow between populations.

It is also recommended that ex-site collections of rare plants be maintained to prevent their

extirpations or extinctions. Such collections of some species are already being maintained by

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG), the Center for Plant Conservation, Marie Selby

Botanical Gardens, and IRC. Where rare plants have been extirpated from sites within their

historic ranges, they could be reintroduced from these collections. Specific examples are detailed

in Gann et al. (2002) and discussed for specific sites in Part III of this management plan.

4.4.2 Animals

Management goals for native fauna in general should be aimed at simply restoring and

maintaining natural pine rocklands habitats, in an effort to support the associated animal

communities. In addition, the following species should receive special attention as outlined

below.

• Gopher tortoise – Management efforts should aim to preserve large tracts of habitat that

are burned at regular intervals to maintain a dense herb layer. Translocation of this

species should be avoided and, when necessary, done only with extreme caution due to an

upper respiratory tract infection caused by Mycoplasma agassizii currently infecting wild

populations of gopher tortoise.

• Rimrock crowned snake – Many of the EEL sites along the Miami Rock Ridge of eastern

Miami-Dade County are within the historic range of this species and contain appropriate

habitat. Efforts should be made to maintain rockland habitat in those parks. Additionally,

this species appears to be somewhat tolerant of marginal habitats so areas surrounding

these sites, even urban development, should be encouraged to incorporate natural

landscaping and to provide cover material for refugia.

• Florida leafwing butterfly – EEL pinelands along the edge of ENP may be crucial for this

species’ recovery. To assist in this process, further habitat loss from development and fire

suppression, resulting in succession, must be stemmed. Other threats to this species

EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 35

include chemical impacts of pesticides used in mosquito control and overcollection for

commercial and recreational purposes.

• Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly – In order for this species to recover, further habitat loss

from development and fire suppression, resulting in succession, must be stemmed. Other

threats to this species include chemical impacts of pesticides used in mosquito control

and overcollection for commercial and recreational purposes.

4.5 Exotic Organisms

The invasion of exotic organisms, especially plants, into pine rocklands is one of the greatest

threats to the ecosystem. As discussed in Part I, Section 5.2.2.1 and 5.2.2.2 of this management

plan, exotic organisms can disrupt and alter ecosystem processes, vegetation structure, and

composition. Management of exotic plants and animals is discussed below.

4.5.1 Plants

Exotic plant species are present on all pine rockland fragments (see section 3.10.1). Exotic plant

species that are listed as Category I or II invasives by the FLEPPC (www.fleppc.org) should be

prioritized for removal from pine rocklands. Sparse populations of exotic pest plants should be

removed before removal of denser stands to maximize restored habitat area. Following removal

of sparse populations, denser populations, especially those in more degraded habitat areas,

should be removed. General guidelines for exotic plant control in pine rocklands are discussed

here, and site–specific management is discussed in Part III of this plan.

Prescribed fire can be used as the main technique to control exotic plants. Fires can kill

individuals of many species (e.g. Brazilian-pepper), limit their populations sizes, and, most

significantly, return pine rockland sites to conditions unfavorable for exotic plant invasions. Fire

management is discussed in detail in Section 4.6.

In the absence of fire, chemical control of exotic plant species has been and should remain the

preferred management technique. For some species, especially smaller populations, manual

removal hand pulling, digging, or cutting) can also be used. Control of especially dense

populations of exotic plants in degraded pine rocklands or in disturbed areas adjacent to pine

rocklands may require more planning than removal of sparse populations. For these areas, in

addition to chemical control and manual removal, management may require bulldozing or the use

of other machinery.

All exotic plant control methods in pine rocklands should limit soil disturbance. Soil

disturbances can create opportunities for invasion of the same exotic plant being removed or for

new exotic or ruderal species. While utilizing techniques such as hand pulling or digging, soil

disturbance should be reduced as much as possible. Chemical control or cutting of exotic plants

can also be employed as alternatives to soil disturbing activities.

Management Policy

Exotic plants must be eliminated from pine rockland EEL sites or maintained at very

low densities. Planting of these species on pine rockland EEL sites is forbidden.

EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 36

4.5.2 Animals

Populations of exotic animals in the pine rockland community should be evaluated for their

impact to these habitat. In addition to feral domestic cats, already discussed Part I of this

management plan (see Section 5.2.2.2), the following non-indigenous animals have the potential

to impact pine rockland communities to varying degrees. Non-indigenous animals should be

targeted for removal from pine rockland fragments, especially when they alter ecosystem

processes, compete with native wildlife, or damage native plant species. Control of some species

may be impractical or even impossible.

Red imported fire ant – Fire ants may be controlled by treating individual mounds or through

broadcast treatments. While broadcast treatments are more effective at eliminating entire

colonies, this technique should generally be avoided in EEL pine rocklands so as not to impact

populations of native ant species. There are many options for mound treatment, but the most

appropriate and effective in natural areas is probably placing toxic bait directly on individual

mounds. Biological controls are also being tested in Florida and may prove to be appropriate for

EEL sites. These include a decapitating fly of the genus Pseudacteon which attacks fire ant

workers and a fire ant disease, Thelohania solenopsae (Willcox and Giuliano 2006).

European starling – Numerous products exist for controlling starlings, but many of these would

likely disturb native birds as well. There are auditory repelling devices designed to target this

species by emitting their distress calls, but experimentation should be done prior to installation to

ensure that they only impact starlings. Even if effective, this method may only work in smaller

pineland fragments where enough devices could be set up to cover the entire area.

Parrots and parakeets – Managing for members of the Psittacidae family may not be possible.

These birds are highly charismatic and are adored by the public. Any large-scale effort to control

their populations will likely be met with outrage. The only option may be monitoring of nest

cavities and manual removal of non-native birds.

Lobate lac scale – Protected pine rockland areas should be monitored for the presence of this

species and control measures implemented in the area if detected. Some woody plant species