ECLP Invasive Plant Project: Spot the Invaders

Presenter Information

Aida Washburn

Faculty Sponsor

James Taylor

Faculty Sponsor College

Cross-college

Faculty Sponsor Department

Institute of Environmental Research and Education

Location

SOARS Virtual Conference

Presentation Website

https://unfsoars.domains.unf.edu/2021/posters/eclp-invasive-plant-project/

Keywords

SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Archives; SOARS (Conference) (2021 : University of North Florida) – Posters; University of North Florida -- Students -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Office of Undergraduate Research; University of North Florida. Graduate School; College students – Research -- Florida – Jacksonville – Posters; University of North Florida – Undergraduates -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Institute of Environmental Research and Education -- Research – Posters; University of North Florida. Department of Biology -- Research – Posters; Ecology -- Florida -- Amelia Island – Posters; Invasive plants -- Florida -- Amelia Island – Posters; University of North Florida. Environmental Leadership Program Project -- Projects; Environmental Leadership Program; ELP; ELCP; Institute of Environmental Research and Education

Abstract

An Environmental Center Leadership Program Project

Amelia Island is home to many beautiful native plants, but some invasive species have taken residence in the beach area and caused issues to the ecological system. The invasive plants outcompete our native species and can disrupt the shore bird and sea turtle nesting sites. Invasive plants also destabilize our dunes. A native plant is identified as a species that has naturally existed in each place for an extended length of time. Whereas an invasive species displaces and prevents native species from establishing. The goal of this project was to remove invasive plant species on Amelia Island and create accessible information for the public to advocate awareness of invasive species in Nassau County. The project included removing Asparagus Fern from the South end Beach access on Amelia Island with volunteers. I lead about 10 volunteers on two removal days to eradicate Asparagus Fern from this beach access. We created an event through Eventbrite where volunteers could RSVP for the removal day, and they were instructed to bring their own shovels, gloves, and mask for COVID precautions. These events resulted in 25 bags or about 625 pounds of plant biomass being removed. In addition to physical removal days, I also created factsheets for the common invasive plant species in Northeast Florida and assisted in creating a website for these specific species. The most common invasive species include Mother of Millions, Russian Thistle, Asparagus Fern, and Brazilian Pepper.