Rooted in Resiliency: Minimizing Our Footprint with Florida Native Plants

Presented at the South Florida Native Plant Seminar October 18-19, 2023 Naples Botanical Garden

Thank you to our sponsors

Rooted in Resiliency: Minimizing Our Footprint with Florida Native Plants Brian Bovard Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Studies The Water School Florida Gulf Coast University Kapnick Center @ Naples Botanical Garden

• Environmental Issues of Southern Florida • HIPPO • Definitions • Horticulture and Landscaping Pressures • Solutions • Resources

Human Land-Use has reduced the earth’s biodiversity 40-50% of land surface is used, disturbed, or degraded by human activities.

How do humans disturb/degrade the earth’s ecosystems?

H abitat fragmentation and degradation à I nvasive species P opulation growth P ollution O verharvesting and overuse

• Habitat Loss, Fragmentation & Degradation • Population Growth Today

1950’s

Concrete Deserts

It’s tempting to say that the roofscape of every city on this planet is a man-made desert, except that a desert is a living habitat. The truth is harsher. The urban roofscape is a little like hell—a lifeless place of bituminous surfaces, violent temperature contrasts, bitter winds, and an antipathy to water.

Verlyn Klinkenborg

• Pollution and Overharvesting/use e.g. Water Quality & Quantity

• Pollution and Overharvesting/use e.g. Water Quality & Quantity

Invasive Species Native– A species that occurs naturally in a specified geographic area.

Invasive exotic– A species that (a) is nonnative to a specified geographic area, (b) was introduced by humans (intentionally or unintentionally), and (c) does or can cause environmental or economic harm, or harm to humans.

Iannone, B. V. et al. (2020). Invasive Species Terminology: Standardizing for Stakeholder Education. The Journal of Extension, 58(3), Article 27. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.58.03.27

What makes a good invasive species?

• High rate of reproduction • Pioneer/Ruderal species • Short generation times • Long-lived • High dispersal rates • Vegetative or clonal reproduction • High genetic variability • Broad range, tolerant of wide range of conditions • Generalist Species

Invasive Plants in Florida: 81 Category I Species 86 Category II Species Category I à Invasive species that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.

Category II à Invasive species that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become ranked Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated.

FISC 2019

• Environmental Issues of Southern Florida • Horticulture and Landscaping Pressures • Horticulture Goals • Plant Supply • Aesthetics • Solutions • Resources

Typical Landscaped Community

Horticulture the art and science of plant production for both beauty and utility.

What traits make good candidates for horticulture?

horticulture What makes a good invasive species?

• High rate of reproduction • Pioneer/Ruderal species • Short generation times • Long-lived • High dispersal rates • Vegetative or clonal reproduction • High genetic variability • Broad range, tolerant of wide range of conditions • Generalist Species

Big-Box Stores, Landscapers, Community Associations and Home Owners • Easy Establishment • Low genetic variability • Low maintenance • Survive variety of conditions • Pest resistant • Aesthetics

Idealistic Aesthetics vs. Local Aesthetics

Idealistic Aesthetics vs. Local Aesthetics

Consequences • • • • • • • •

Decreases in biodiversity Increased fertilizer Increased irrigation Low biodiversity à Increased pesticide use Decreased native pollinators Decreased native fauna (e.g. birds) Loss of ecosystem functions and services Downstream water quality issues

• Environmental Issues of Southern Florida • Horticulture and Landscaping Pressures • Solutions • Why natives?

• Moral choices?

• Hard work & hard decisions • Examples • Resources

Why Native Plants in South Florida?

• Species Conservation • Creates habitat for other native plants and animals • Mitigates habitat loss, fragmentation, etc.

• Resiliency and reduced risk of extinction of natives

• • • •

Reduced irrigation Reduced fertilizer usages Done properly à Reduced pesticide usage Self propagation

Why Native Plants in South Florida?

Do we have the right to steal experiences from future generations and other organisms?

Or do we have a moral responsibility to do something better?

How to recreate native systems Determine the appropriate ecosystem/community for your landscape.

Coastal Strand Scrub Pineland Hammock Marsh Swamp

How to recreate native systems Choose site appropriate species.

Sun vs. Shade Wet vs Dry Salt Tolerance Wind exposure Use resources like: IRC’s Natives for Your Neighborhood

How to recreate native systems Choosing appropriate plants to conserve diversity.

• Avoid overuse and monocultures of one species (including turf) • Create a diversity of habitats • Species Composition • Physical Structure

How to recreate native systems Choosing appropriate plants to conserve diversity.

Attracting Wildlife…. Provide food: nectar, seeds, fruit, insects

Bahamian Wild Coffee

Dahoon Holly

Fiddlewood Leafroller

How to recreate native systems Minimize or Eliminate: Irrigation Fertilizers Pesticides

How to recreate native systems Think of native alternatives to non-native options:

Fountain Grass

Muhly Grass

Pennisetum sp.

Muhlenbergia capillaris

If it is foreign to Florida, it’s foreign to our fauna!

How to recreate native systems Requires: • Work • Educating yourself • Not always easy decisions • More difficult plant acquisition • Still requires “gardening maintenance”

How to recreate native systems Think outside the box: Urban Tree Canopy Rooftop Gardens Vertical Gardens Rain Gardens Patio & Lanai Planter Boxes Bioswales Patio Lanai

Creates: • Habitat and Migration Corridors • Refugia • Resiliency

Roof Surface Temperatures on Naples Rooftop in September Bare Roof

Rooftop Garden

55˚-60˚C

30˚-35˚C

(130˚- 140˚F)

(85˚- 95˚F)

Cooling Effect 25˚C (45˚F) Economic and Carbon Footprint = Win/Win

Aesthetics and Biodiversity Conservation too?

Questions?

Resources: IRC Natives for your Neighborhood: https://www.regionalconservation.org/ Florida Native Plant Society https://fnps.org/ IFAS/UF https://ifas.ufl.edu/ Florida Association of Native Nurseries Botanical Garden Gardens