Ask IFAS: Ecosystems

Ecosystems

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Aquatic Ecosystems

Interaction of living organisms with the physical or chemical environment in a body of water.

Process of reversing the degradation of ecosystems, such as landscapes, lakes and oceans to regain their ecological functionality; in other words, to improve the productivity and capacity of ecosystems to meet the needs of society.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits people and other organisms obtain from ecosystems; examples include: pure water and clean air, scenic landscapes, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

Habitats

The natural environment where an organism, population or community lives, including biotic and abiotic factors.

Terrestrial Ecosystems

Upland Pine Ecosystems

Upland pine communities are woodlands characterized by widely spaced longleaf pines with a sparse to moderate shrub layer, along with a dense, species-rich groundcover of grasses and herbs. Other plants commonly occurring in this community are turkey oak, bluejack oak, southern red oak, live oak, persimmon, gopher apple, and leadplant. Animal species include green treefrog, gopher tortoise, eastern fence lizard, red-bellied woodpecker, loggerhead shrike, cotton mouse, and fox squirrel.

Vegetation

Publications

Florida Soil Series and Natural Community Associations

FR455/FOR384by G. D. J. LaPierre, N. D. Medina-Irizarry, and M. G. AndreuJune 2, 2022Soils often dictate the presence of different types of inherent natural communities. In this project we created a table that relates soil series to natural communities found in Florida. Correlation of soil series and natural communities was performed through the synthesis of land management plans, the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) documentation of exemplary sites, along with the UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory Soil Web Survey mapping information system (SoilWeb). The GPS coordinates and conservation site names of the selected locations for said soil series are also recorded in this table. Use of this table can help private landowners, land managers, and researchers detect current and former natural communities on sites.

How many plants are in your yard? UF study finds high plant diversity in residential landscapes

Brad BuckApril 30th, 2024When you look at your yard, you probably see a few plants such as grass, shrubs and trees. But you might not notice all the species. New University of Florida research shows far more plant species in urban landscapes than meet the eye, and this makes scientists more interested in learning about the potential benefits […]

Reporting Sightings of Tagged Horseshoe Crabs in Hernando: A Citizen Science Opportunity

Brittany Hall-ScharfApril 18th, 2024Since 2018, volunteers in Hernando have been diligently tagging horseshoe crabs as part of an ongoing statewide effort to study and conserve these fascinating creatures. Horseshoe crabs are known to come ashore during the new and full moons at high tide during the spring and fall months, and sightings of tagged individuals provide valuable data […]

Caterpillar cascade: Where are all these caterpillars coming from across Florida? UF/IFAS has answers

Meredith BauerApril 11th, 2024Florida is full of caterpillars this month. But what are they and what can you do about them? Are they dangerous? Fast facts from University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension agent Jackie Lebouitz: Some common caterpillars are the tussock moth , the echo moth, oak leaf-roller and the woolly gray moth. […]

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