A New Garden of Eden The Ethnobotany of Invasive Plant Species In Everglades National Park

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

McCord, Elzie

Keywords

Invasive Species, Medicinal Ethnobotany, Sensationalism in Literature

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

This thesis examines conservation issues of invasive plant species, related National Park policies and management practices, and the potential for ethnobotanical knowledge to inform the processes of invasive plant species management. The theoretical background of invasion biology is reviewed and critiqued in support of a more comprehensive and multifaceted botanical view of introduced species. Chapter 1 introduces the issues involved in Florida�s invasion biology, while the latter chapters will explore the role of ethnobotany in conservation biology. I will use the practices of the Everglades National Park to analyze the application of the unique characteristics of invasive plants in management procedures. I also present a list of state-prioritized invasive plant species with comprehensive ethnobotanical descriptions. My primary research examined early Florida naturalist literature, current scientific published volumes, and U.S. government and Everglades National Park official documents. Medical and natural science databases provided empirical research on the specific species. Resulting data shows that a significant fraction of species studied contain valuable chemical compounds, fibers, and other components. This research may contribute to the advance of invasion biology and conservation biology. Furthermore, the National Park Service may benefit from the compilation of data that informs science and policy with an alternative viewpoint. Although many introduced plant species are prioritized for management in the Everglades, they may be useful for improving our system of medicine.

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.

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