patrickbdevaney/mia9 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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that are known to have potential detrimental
impacts to pine rockland communities are
discussed below in further detail and Table 4
includes a list of exotic species that are commonly
found in Miami-Dade pine rocklands.
• Red imported fire ant – The red imported fire
ant (RIFA) was introduced into the U.S. from
Brazil into either Mobile, Alabama or
Pensacola, Florida between 1933 and 1945 and
is now widespread throughout the southeastern
U.S. (Collins and Scheffrahn 2001). RIFA
have been documented to cause harm to
humans and wildlife as well as economic harm
(Stimac and Alves 1994; Collins and
Scheffrahn 2001; Willcox and Giuliano 2006).
RIFA are omnivorous, but they tend to prefer insects as their primary food source (Willcox
and Guiliano 2006). S. invicta have a number of impacts on wildlife. They have eliminated
many areas of native ant populations through competition and predation as well as
eliminating food sources utilized by some wildlife species. Ground-nesting wildlife is
especially susceptible to RIFA. Within Nixon Smiley Pineland, S. invicta have the potential
to affect ground-nesting birds; small mammals; reptiles such as Florida box turtles, native
lizard and snake species; and native invertebrates (Willcox and Giuliano 2006). While fire
ants are found in a range of habitats, within Miami-Dade County’s natural areas, they are
most closely associated with pine rocklands because of the drier upland environment and the
open canopy.
• European starling – Starlings were introduced to New York in the 1890’s and have since
successfully colonized most of North America (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Starlings are prevalent in
most any habitat type with suitable nesting habitat, including tree cavities, bird boxes or
buildings. They are, however, partial to areas with low forest density, leaving pine rockland
habitat to be a preferred natural setting in South Florida. An abundance of birds that dwell in
Table 4: Exotic animals commonly
present in pine rockland habitat in
Miami
Scientific Name Common Name
Aedes aegypti Yellow fever mosquito
Aedes albopictus Asian tiger mosquito
Anolis sagrei Brown anole
Apis mellifera Honey bees
Boa constrictor Boa constrictor
Bufo marinus Cane toad
Cactoblastis cactorum Cactus moth
Canis familiaris Feral domestic dog
Ctenosaura similis Spiny tail iguana
Hemidactylus garnotti Indo-Pacific gecko
Hemidactylus mabouia Tropical gecko
Felis catus Feral domestic cat
Iguana iguana Green iguana
Mus musculus House mouse
Musca domestica House fly
Osteopilus serpentrionalis Cuban treefrog
Paratachardina lobata lobata Lobate lac scale
Psittacidae family Parrots and parakeets
Rattus rattus Black rat
Ramphotyphlops braminus Brahminy blind snake
Saissetia coffeae Hemispherical scale
Solenopsis invicta Red imported fire ant
Sturnus vulgaris European starling
Zachrysia provisoria Cuban tree snail
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 27
tree cavities, such as woodpeckers, also make pine rocklands more susceptible to damage
from these birds. Starlings not only compete with the native birds for tree cavities, but have
even been observed evicting woodpeckers from their nests to claim the cavity for their own
(Stevenson and Anderson 1994).
• Parrots and parakeets – Over twenty species of parrots and parakeets have been observed
nesting in the wild in South Florida (FWC 2007). Due to their flocking behavior and more
aggressive mannerisms, they out-compete native birds for both food and space, claiming
fruits, nuts and tree cavities for themselves (Taylor et al. 2004). In addition, they contribute
to the spread of exotic plants through seed dispersal (Snyder et al. 1990). While members of
this family occur in many South Florida habitats, the previously mentioned habits make them
particularly harmful in pine rocklands where there is a high concentration of native bird
species that depend upon tree cavities and where management of exotic plants is already
challenging due to complications related to burning.
• Lobate lac scale - The lobate lac scale, a scale insect that is native to India and Sri Lanka,
was found in Broward County in 1999, and has since become widespread in southern Florida.
The species belongs to the lac scale family, Kerriidae, the best-known species of which is the
true lac scale insect. The lobate lac scale has been found mostly on woody dicotyledonous
plants. It infests the woody portions of twigs and small branches and less frequently main
stems under one inch in diameter. It not usually found on branches or main stems greater
than approximately one inch in diameter. It has not been observed on foliage. Some woody
plant species appear to be highly susceptible, including certain natives, e.g., wax-myrtle,
cocoplum, buttonwood, strangler-fig, myrsine, bay species, and wild-coffee. Lobate lac scale
is more commonly known for its damage to hammock systems, but it is also a concern in
pine rocklands due to its preference for certain rare bushes, particularly Florida prairieclover
and crenulate leadplant.
3.11 Other Problem Species
Many native plant species can be considered problem species in pine rocklands. Some native
species become aggressive and can out-compete other native species when artificial habitat
changes occur, such as drainage, intense fires, or fire suppression. While these species are native,
control efforts should still be used when required to maintain desirable ecosystem structure and
composition. Problem species include cabbage palm, muscadine grape, southern sumac, lacy
bracken fern, and earleaf greenbrier.
In addition to the above species, all native hardwoods can be considered problem species in the
absence of fire. Common hardwoods include live oak, poisonwood, and myrsine.
Two native plant species that occur in pine rocklands commonly cause dermatitis in sensitive
people. These are poisonwood and poison-ivy. Both are common pine rockland species. Lower
densities of both can be achieved by proper management of pine rocklands. Densities of both,
especially poisonwood, can increase dramatically with fire suppression.
EEL Program, Management Plan, Part II – Pine Rockland (DRAFT) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page 28

that are known to have potential detrimental

impacts to pine rockland communities are

discussed below in further detail and Table 4

includes a list of exotic species that are commonly

found in Miami-Dade pine rocklands.

• Red imported fire ant – The red imported fire

ant (RIFA) was introduced into the U.S. from

Brazil into either Mobile, Alabama or

Pensacola, Florida between 1933 and 1945 and

is now widespread throughout the southeastern

U.S. (Collins and Scheffrahn 2001). RIFA

have been documented to cause harm to

humans and wildlife as well as economic harm

(Stimac and Alves 1994; Collins and

Scheffrahn 2001; Willcox and Giuliano 2006).

RIFA are omnivorous, but they tend to prefer insects as their primary food source (Willcox

and Guiliano 2006). S. invicta have a number of impacts on wildlife. They have eliminated

many areas of native ant populations through competition and predation as well as

eliminating food sources utilized by some wildlife species. Ground-nesting wildlife is

especially susceptible to RIFA. Within Nixon Smiley Pineland, S. invicta have the potential

to affect ground-nesting birds; small mammals; reptiles such as Florida box turtles, native

lizard and snake species; and native invertebrates (Willcox and Giuliano 2006). While fire

ants are found in a range of habitats, within Miami-Dade County’s natural areas, they are

most closely associated with pine rocklands because of the drier upland environment and the

open canopy.

• European starling – Starlings were introduced to New York in the 1890’s and have since

successfully colonized most of North America (Ehrlich et al. 1988). Starlings are prevalent in

most any habitat type with suitable nesting habitat, including tree cavities, bird boxes or

buildings. They are, however, partial to areas with low forest density, leaving pine rockland

habitat to be a preferred natural setting in South Florida. An abundance of birds that dwell in

Table 4: Exotic animals commonly

present in pine rockland habitat in

Miami

Scientific Name Common Name

Aedes aegypti Yellow fever mosquito

Aedes albopictus Asian tiger mosquito

Anolis sagrei Brown anole

Apis mellifera Honey bees

Boa constrictor Boa constrictor

Bufo marinus Cane toad

Cactoblastis cactorum Cactus moth

Canis familiaris Feral domestic dog

Ctenosaura similis Spiny tail iguana

Hemidactylus garnotti Indo-Pacific gecko

Hemidactylus mabouia Tropical gecko

Felis catus Feral domestic cat

Iguana iguana Green iguana

Mus musculus House mouse

Musca domestica House fly

Osteopilus serpentrionalis Cuban treefrog

Paratachardina lobata lobata Lobate lac scale

Psittacidae family Parrots and parakeets

Rattus rattus Black rat

Ramphotyphlops braminus Brahminy blind snake

Saissetia coffeae Hemispherical scale

Solenopsis invicta Red imported fire ant

Sturnus vulgaris European starling

Zachrysia provisoria Cuban tree snail

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

Page 27

tree cavities, such as woodpeckers, also make pine rocklands more susceptible to damage

from these birds. Starlings not only compete with the native birds for tree cavities, but have

even been observed evicting woodpeckers from their nests to claim the cavity for their own

(Stevenson and Anderson 1994).

• Parrots and parakeets – Over twenty species of parrots and parakeets have been observed

nesting in the wild in South Florida (FWC 2007). Due to their flocking behavior and more

aggressive mannerisms, they out-compete native birds for both food and space, claiming

fruits, nuts and tree cavities for themselves (Taylor et al. 2004). In addition, they contribute

to the spread of exotic plants through seed dispersal (Snyder et al. 1990). While members of

this family occur in many South Florida habitats, the previously mentioned habits make them

particularly harmful in pine rocklands where there is a high concentration of native bird

species that depend upon tree cavities and where management of exotic plants is already

challenging due to complications related to burning.

• Lobate lac scale - The lobate lac scale, a scale insect that is native to India and Sri Lanka,

was found in Broward County in 1999, and has since become widespread in southern Florida.

The species belongs to the lac scale family, Kerriidae, the best-known species of which is the

true lac scale insect. The lobate lac scale has been found mostly on woody dicotyledonous

plants. It infests the woody portions of twigs and small branches and less frequently main

stems under one inch in diameter. It not usually found on branches or main stems greater

than approximately one inch in diameter. It has not been observed on foliage. Some woody

plant species appear to be highly susceptible, including certain natives, e.g., wax-myrtle,

cocoplum, buttonwood, strangler-fig, myrsine, bay species, and wild-coffee. Lobate lac scale

is more commonly known for its damage to hammock systems, but it is also a concern in

pine rocklands due to its preference for certain rare bushes, particularly Florida prairieclover

and crenulate leadplant.

3.11 Other Problem Species

Many native plant species can be considered problem species in pine rocklands. Some native

species become aggressive and can out-compete other native species when artificial habitat

changes occur, such as drainage, intense fires, or fire suppression. While these species are native,

control efforts should still be used when required to maintain desirable ecosystem structure and

composition. Problem species include cabbage palm, muscadine grape, southern sumac, lacy

bracken fern, and earleaf greenbrier.

In addition to the above species, all native hardwoods can be considered problem species in the

absence of fire. Common hardwoods include live oak, poisonwood, and myrsine.

Two native plant species that occur in pine rocklands commonly cause dermatitis in sensitive

people. These are poisonwood and poison-ivy. Both are common pine rockland species. Lower

densities of both can be achieved by proper management of pine rocklands. Densities of both,

especially poisonwood, can increase dramatically with fire suppression.

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

Page 28