patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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plants or problematic native plant species that could possibly invade EEL sites.
Management Policy
Pollution on pine rockland EEL sites shall be managed through source reduction in
and around all sites.
Management Policy
EEL Program will protect any archeological, historic, and cultural resources found in
its properties. Management of those resources will comply with mandates from the
Florida Statutes [Sections 267.061 (a) and (b)].
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 42
Native plant species that are suitable for cultivation on EEL sites can be found in the Natives for
Your Neighborhood database online at www.regionalconservation.org. Using this database, lists
of pine rockland species can be generated specific for each zip code in Miami-Dade County.
4.13 Off-site Exotic Plant and Animal Sources
As discussed throughout Parts I and II of this management plan, exotic flora and fauna becoming
invasive within EEL sites is a major problem. This is especially true for pine rockland EEL sites.
A dual approach that includes source reduction and removal of existing species will be most
efficient in managing exotic species in native ecosystems. Possible sources of exotic species into
pine rockland sites include:
• Escape of exotic pets being imported for the exotic pet trade
• Dumping of exotic pets that have become unwanted by their owners
• Wind dispersion of seeds (especially after major storm events such as hurricanes)
• Water dispersion of seeds
• Animal dispersion of seeds
• Intentional introduction of exotic species for drainage or landscaping
The EEL program should work with adjacent landowners where feasible, including public
agencies and private landowners, to eliminate exotic plant populations. Reduction or elimination
of pest plants near pine rockland EEL sites will decrease invasion rates and reduce long-term
management costs.
4.14 Restoration of Pine Rockland on Degraded Soils
At many sites, as discussed individually in Part III of this management plan, it will be desirable
to reestablish pine rockland vegetation in areas with degraded soils, such as rock-plowed or
bulldozed soils. Unlike the re-creation of rockland hammock habitat, discussed in Chapter X, recreation of pine rocklands are much more difficult and the process has not been fully developed.
Gann (2006) details the currently known best practices for replanting pine rocklands. The
discussion below draws from Gann (2006).
All loose soil and organic material on the site should be removed so that almost the entire ground
surface consists of bare oolitic limestone. Pines (which will suffer large mortality) should be
planted at densities of one plant per 50 to 100 square feet, from three (3) to seven (7) gallon
containers or smaller. Palms and subshrubs, including saw palmetto, silver palm, coontie,
Management Policy
Restoration of pine rockland on degraded soils within pine rockland EEL sites shall
consist of soil management, weed control, and planting of advantageous species.
Management Policy
A dual approach that includes source reduction and removal of existing species shall
be used in managing exotic plants and animals in and around pine rockland EEL sites.
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 43
quailberry, pineland croton, and gopher apple should be planted throughout the restoration area.
Larger hardwoods should be avoided.
Weeds should be controlled aggressively on the site to avoid establishment of an organic layer
and a seed bank of unwanted species. Control can be achieved by hand pulling, chemical control,
or other means, but as much of the plant material should be removed from the sites as possible.
Herbaceous species, including forbs, grasses, and sedges, may recruit naturally on the site soon
after soil clearing. They may establish from persistent roots (depending on site history), from a
seed bank, or from seed rain from nearby pine rockland. Herb cover can be augmented several
months after planting of pines, palms, and subshrubs to re-create the diversity of pine rocklands
typical of the project area. Plant species that already occur on the site’s intact pine rockland, or
those that are historically known from the area, should be used.
After all plants are installed, two (2) to three (3) inches of pine straw should be placed
throughout the site. During establishment the site should be watered to ensure survival of as
many plants as possible, as often as once per day for several weeks after installation. Watering
should be decreased as quickly as possible to prevent weed invasions. Weeds should be
controlled monthly until the project is self-sustaining. Additional applications of pine straw may
be required. Pine straw should be clean, having no seeds. Pine straw can also be collected within
pine rockland on the same site as the planting area if there is enough. This would have the added
benefit of introducing seeds of pine rockland plant species from the same property.
4.15 Security
At times, it may be necessary to enforce certain security measures to ensure the preservation of
EEL pine rockland sites. These measures, which include but are not limited to, fencing, signage,
patrolling by county personnel, and continuous staffing of entrances to sites, are similar for all
EEL sites. Please refer to Part I, Section 5.4.5 of this management plan for details about the
security management policy for EEL preserves.
4.16 Partnerships
The EEL program has partnered with several Miami-Dade County agencies and organizations in
an effort to better protect and preserve EEL sites. These agencies include Miami-Dade County
Natural Areas Management (NAM), Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department, IRC,
FTBG, and the Nature Conservancy. Please refer to Part I of this management plan for details
about these agencies, and others, and how they play a role in the EEL program.
Management Policy
In the event of any security breach at any pine rockland EEL site, the site manager (or
any persons observing such a violation) should report such actions to the Miami-Dade
County Police Department, for proper investigation.
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 44
5.0 Public Use of the Pine Rockland EEL Properties
Consistent with the defined goals of the EEL Program (refer to Part I, Section 5.3), prospective
public uses of pine rockland sites should avoid potential ill effects. Public use on all pine
rockland EEL sites will be managed in accordance with all management policies outlined in Part
I of this management plan. Part III of this management plan will provide site-specific
information for the uses that are allowed in each of the EEL preserves, taking into consideration
the need for preservation as well as the opportunities for primarily passive recreation.
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 45
6.0 Monitoring, Research, and Information Needs
General monitoring, research, and information needs have been discussed in Part I of this
management plan. Long-term management of pine rocklands poses several challenges that will
require specific research to overcome. Additional issues that should be studied include:
• Appropriate densities of pine trees and understory shrubs and hardwoods
• Control of some exotic and problematic plant species including:
o Natal grass (currently being studied by Jennifer Possley at FTBG)

plants or problematic native plant species that could possibly invade EEL sites.

Management Policy

Pollution on pine rockland EEL sites shall be managed through source reduction in

and around all sites.

Management Policy

EEL Program will protect any archeological, historic, and cultural resources found in

its properties. Management of those resources will comply with mandates from the

Florida Statutes [Sections 267.061 (a) and (b)].

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

Page 42

Native plant species that are suitable for cultivation on EEL sites can be found in the Natives for

Your Neighborhood database online at www.regionalconservation.org. Using this database, lists

of pine rockland species can be generated specific for each zip code in Miami-Dade County.

4.13 Off-site Exotic Plant and Animal Sources

As discussed throughout Parts I and II of this management plan, exotic flora and fauna becoming

invasive within EEL sites is a major problem. This is especially true for pine rockland EEL sites.

A dual approach that includes source reduction and removal of existing species will be most

efficient in managing exotic species in native ecosystems. Possible sources of exotic species into

pine rockland sites include:

• Escape of exotic pets being imported for the exotic pet trade

• Dumping of exotic pets that have become unwanted by their owners

• Wind dispersion of seeds (especially after major storm events such as hurricanes)

• Water dispersion of seeds

• Animal dispersion of seeds

• Intentional introduction of exotic species for drainage or landscaping

The EEL program should work with adjacent landowners where feasible, including public

agencies and private landowners, to eliminate exotic plant populations. Reduction or elimination

of pest plants near pine rockland EEL sites will decrease invasion rates and reduce long-term

management costs.

4.14 Restoration of Pine Rockland on Degraded Soils

At many sites, as discussed individually in Part III of this management plan, it will be desirable

to reestablish pine rockland vegetation in areas with degraded soils, such as rock-plowed or

bulldozed soils. Unlike the re-creation of rockland hammock habitat, discussed in Chapter X, recreation of pine rocklands are much more difficult and the process has not been fully developed.

Gann (2006) details the currently known best practices for replanting pine rocklands. The

discussion below draws from Gann (2006).

All loose soil and organic material on the site should be removed so that almost the entire ground

surface consists of bare oolitic limestone. Pines (which will suffer large mortality) should be

planted at densities of one plant per 50 to 100 square feet, from three (3) to seven (7) gallon

containers or smaller. Palms and subshrubs, including saw palmetto, silver palm, coontie,

Management Policy

Restoration of pine rockland on degraded soils within pine rockland EEL sites shall

consist of soil management, weed control, and planting of advantageous species.

Management Policy

A dual approach that includes source reduction and removal of existing species shall

be used in managing exotic plants and animals in and around pine rockland EEL sites.

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

Page 43

quailberry, pineland croton, and gopher apple should be planted throughout the restoration area.

Larger hardwoods should be avoided.

Weeds should be controlled aggressively on the site to avoid establishment of an organic layer

and a seed bank of unwanted species. Control can be achieved by hand pulling, chemical control,

or other means, but as much of the plant material should be removed from the sites as possible.

Herbaceous species, including forbs, grasses, and sedges, may recruit naturally on the site soon

after soil clearing. They may establish from persistent roots (depending on site history), from a

seed bank, or from seed rain from nearby pine rockland. Herb cover can be augmented several

months after planting of pines, palms, and subshrubs to re-create the diversity of pine rocklands

typical of the project area. Plant species that already occur on the site’s intact pine rockland, or

those that are historically known from the area, should be used.

After all plants are installed, two (2) to three (3) inches of pine straw should be placed

throughout the site. During establishment the site should be watered to ensure survival of as

many plants as possible, as often as once per day for several weeks after installation. Watering

should be decreased as quickly as possible to prevent weed invasions. Weeds should be

controlled monthly until the project is self-sustaining. Additional applications of pine straw may

be required. Pine straw should be clean, having no seeds. Pine straw can also be collected within

pine rockland on the same site as the planting area if there is enough. This would have the added

benefit of introducing seeds of pine rockland plant species from the same property.

4.15 Security

At times, it may be necessary to enforce certain security measures to ensure the preservation of

EEL pine rockland sites. These measures, which include but are not limited to, fencing, signage,

patrolling by county personnel, and continuous staffing of entrances to sites, are similar for all

EEL sites. Please refer to Part I, Section 5.4.5 of this management plan for details about the

security management policy for EEL preserves.

4.16 Partnerships

The EEL program has partnered with several Miami-Dade County agencies and organizations in

an effort to better protect and preserve EEL sites. These agencies include Miami-Dade County

Natural Areas Management (NAM), Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department, IRC,

FTBG, and the Nature Conservancy. Please refer to Part I of this management plan for details

about these agencies, and others, and how they play a role in the EEL program.

Management Policy

In the event of any security breach at any pine rockland EEL site, the site manager (or

any persons observing such a violation) should report such actions to the Miami-Dade

County Police Department, for proper investigation.

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

Page 44

5.0 Public Use of the Pine Rockland EEL Properties

Consistent with the defined goals of the EEL Program (refer to Part I, Section 5.3), prospective

public uses of pine rockland sites should avoid potential ill effects. Public use on all pine

rockland EEL sites will be managed in accordance with all management policies outlined in Part

I of this management plan. Part III of this management plan will provide site-specific

information for the uses that are allowed in each of the EEL preserves, taking into consideration

the need for preservation as well as the opportunities for primarily passive recreation.

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

Page 45

6.0 Monitoring, Research, and Information Needs

General monitoring, research, and information needs have been discussed in Part I of this

management plan. Long-term management of pine rocklands poses several challenges that will

require specific research to overcome. Additional issues that should be studied include:

• Appropriate densities of pine trees and understory shrubs and hardwoods

• Control of some exotic and problematic plant species including:

o Natal grass (currently being studied by Jennifer Possley at FTBG)