Bromeliad Tank Ecosystems and Other Container Habitats in the Florida Everglades

Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Lowman, Margaret

Keywords

Bromeliads, Phytotelmata, Tree Frogs, Anthropods, Everglades

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

The role of Bromeliaceae as a microhabitat was investigated in Florida's Everglades National Park during the months of February, March, and April 2005. Many bromeliads form watertight tanks, or phytotelmata, that become microhabitats for other plants and animals. In order to research this use in the dry winter months, bromeliad tanks were simulated using plastic cups. Three sites were chosen for this study: two mangrove sites (Sites 1 and 2) and a hardwood hammock site (Site 3). Sites 1 and 3 each contained six study trees. Site 2 only had three trees. Eighteen cups were set up on each tree, at two different heights, for a total of nine cups at each height. Water was poured into each cup and every two weeks three cups from each height on each tree was collected and brought back to the lab for observation, identification, and counting of the fauna associated with them. A total of 1,312 organisms were counted over the six week study period. The orders Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Psocoptera, and the class Arachnida, were the most represented groups among all three sites. The hardwood hammock contained the highest number of organisms. No significant trends were noticed among tree species, cup heights, or weeks. Nonetheless, this study indicates that container habitats play important roles within larger ecosystems and can support a wide range of fauna. Further research will aid in the conservation of these keystone species.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS