Debbie Miller

Old-growth longleaf pine savannas are characterized by diverse ground-layer plant communities comprised of graminoids, forbs, and woody plants. These communities co-exist with variable-aged patches containing similar-aged trees of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.). We tested the conceptual model that physical conditions related to the cycle of longleaf pine regeneration (stand structure, soil attributes, fire effects, and light) influence plant species’ composition and spatial heterogeneity of ground-layer vegetation. We used a chrono-sequence approach in which local patches represented six stages of the regeneration cycle, from open areas without trees (gaps) to trees several centuries old, based on a 40-year population study and increment cores of trees. We measured soil characteristics, patch stand structure, fuel loads and consumption during fires, plant productivity, and ground-layer plant species composition. Patch characteristics (e.g., tree density, basal diameter, soil carbon, and fire heat release) indicated a cyclical pattern that corresponded to the establishment, growth, and mortality of trees over a period of approximately three centuries. We found that plants in the families Fabaceae and Asteraceae and certain genera were significantly associated with a particular patch stage or ranges of patch stages, presumably responding to changes in physical conditions of patches over time. However, whole-community-level analyses did not indicate associations between the patch stage and distinct plant communities. Our study indicates that changes in composition and the structure of pine patches contribute to patterns in spatial and temporal heterogeneity in physical characteristics, fire regimes, and species composition of the ground-layer vegetation in old-growth pine savanna.

Sea oats occur throughout Florida on beach dunes and beaches and on coastal areas west to Texas and north to Maryland. Sea oats are vital dune builders that accumulate sand and prevent erosion due to wind, waves, and large storms. As sand is trapped by the long leaves of sea oats, vertical growth is stimulated, and rooting occurs at the buried nodes. This plant is extremely drought- and salt-tolerant, grows up to the high tide line of beaches, and propagates both vegetatively and by seed in the wild (Shadow 2007).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg186 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Seaside goldenrod is highly tolerant of both saline soils and salt spray and is usually found on beach dunes, tidal marshes, and disturbed areas throughout coastal areas from Mexico North to Maine and on islands in the Bahamas. It is a prolific flower- and seed-producer. It attracts many pollinators, including birds, native bees, honey bees, butterflies (especially Monarch butterflies), and beneficial insects. The flowers are an important food/energy source for fall migrating monarch butterflies traveling the Atlantic coastal flyway (Sheahan 2014).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg185 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Gulf coast lupine (Lupinus westianus var. westianus) is listed as threatened by the Plants in the Preservation of Native Flora of Florida Act, Chapter 5B-40, Florida Administrative Code, 1998, amended (Wunderlin et al. 2017). The species is endemic to coastal counties in the western Panhandle of Florida. Two disjunct populations are noted with Lupinus westianus var. aridorum occurring only in the central peninsula of Florida. Gulf coast lupine occurs in beach dunes, coastal grasslands, coastal scrub, sandhills, and disturbed areas such as roadsides. Gulf coast lupine can be distinguished from a similar lupine (L. diffusus) by the lack of a petiole. Several pollinators are sustained by gulf coast lupine, and the inflorescences are remarkably showy. Lupines form symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing microorganisms within the soil (Gutiérrez Mañero et al. 2003).https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg175 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Seabeach evening primrose is found in beach dunes throughout coastal counties in Florida, west to Louisiana,and as far north as New Jersey.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg177 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

Squareflower is found in beach dunes, coastal grasslands, and scrub. This plant is an endemic restricted to the coastal Panhandle of Florida, counties west of the Big Bend region, and west to Louisiana. The square outline of the inflorescence is unique and makes squareflower a desirable plant for coastal landscapes.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg179 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.

October flower is widespread throughout Florida and more broadly in coastal states west to Texas and northeast to Virginia. October flower is found in dune and scrub plant communities and ruderal areas. The showy flowers and attractive foliage make this native plant a desirable ornamental for landscapes.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg181 This publication is derived from information in SGEB-75/SG156, Dune Restoration and Enhancement for the Florida Panhandle, by Debbie Miller, Mack Thetford, Christina Verlinde, Gabriel Campbell, and Ashlynn Smith. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg156.