Effects of Time-Since-Fire and Microhabitat on the Occurrence and Density of the Endemic Paronychia chartacea ssp chartacea in Florida Scrub and Along Roadsides

    Authors

    J. L. Schafer; E. S. Menges; P. F. Quintana-Ascencio;C. W. Weekley

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. Midl. Nat.

    Keywords

    CERATIOLA-ERICOIDES EMPETRACEAE; SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT; ERYNGIUM-CUNEIFOLIUM; POPULATION VIABILITY; NATURAL COMMUNITIES; CHAPARRAL SHRUBS; PLANT; GAPS; DISTURBANCE; DEMOGRAPHY; Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology

    Abstract

    Conservation of an imperiled plant species requires an understanding of its local occurrence and density in relation to habitat variation. Paronychia chartacea ssp. chartacea is a federally threatened species restricted to gaps ill fire-maintained Florida rosemary scrub and to roadside sites that mimic scrub gaps. To assess the effects of time-since-fire and microhabitat on the occurrence and density of Paronychia populations, we conducted surveys of 119 scrub gaps and 16 roadside macroplots. In rosemary scrub, we found that the frequency of gap occupancy decreased with time-since-fire and that Paronychia occurrence and density were greater in the centers of large gaps than in small gaps or large gap edges. In roadside sites, the distance from adjacent rosemary scrub did not affect the presence of Paronychia, but density increased with distance from rosemary scrub vegetation. Paronychia densities in roadside sites were most similar to densities in recently burned rosemary scrub. Time-since-fire and microhabitat quality affect the occurrence and density of Paronychia and should be considered in management of Paronychia populations.

    Journal Title

    American Midland Naturalist

    Volume

    163

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    294

    Last Page

    310

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000276050400004

    ISSN

    0003-0031

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