2012 FDOT Mitigation Plan - Southwest Florida Water Management ...

canopy and sub-canopy coverage dominated by laurel oak, sweet gum, red maple, bald cypress, American elm,
sweet bay, cabbage palm, tupelo and ironwood. Ground cover is dense in the transitional wetland areas, minimal
in the obligate zones where rainy season water levels are typically above surface grades. Dominant ground cover
species include cabbage palm saplings, various sedges and rushes, wild coffee, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and shield
fern. The palmetto prairie and pine flatwoods have a dominance of slash pine (in the flatwoods) over saw
palmetto, rabbit tobacco, paw-paw, and bahiagrass. The density of palmetto is generally moderate to low, but has
increased in cover since removal of the cattle. Wildlife diversity is high within the forested areas with evidence of
deer, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, rabbit and many avian species. Several gopher tortoise inhabit the pasture.
Hillsborough County's Conservation Section has conducted habitat improvements within the Jennings Tract.
Various habitat enhancement and restoration activities are being conducted with three types of upland ecological
communities. These include the bahia pasture, palmetto prairie, and overgrown pine flatwoods. Except for the
pasture, the upland areas are accessed by pre-existing access roads through forested wetland habitat.
Restoration activities within the pasture commenced in 2007 with herbicide application of the bahia and a
prescribed burn. Eradication of bahia is being conducted along with direct seeding of upland native species and
longleaf pine. The palmetto prairie has bahia mixed in with the palmetto and desired native species. Selective
herbicide treatments and prescribed burns have minimized the bahia coverage. The overgrown pine flatwoods
receive prescribed burns on a 3-5 year rotation to decrease some of the woody understory and selective
herbicide of invasive exotic species; which is primarily limited to skunk vine.
ATTACHMENT B – Maintenance & Monitoring, Success Criteria
Maintenance activities are primarily associated with implementing the prescribed burn management plan when
necessary to achieve and maintain habitat conditions. Depending on the growth rate of vegetation cover within
the enhanced and restored upland habitat, these burns are conducted on a 3-5 year cycle, and 10-15 year cycle
for the upland hardwood hammocks. Herbicide eradication of existing and generated exotic and nuisance species
are conducted as necessary. Other than the bahia, the other problem species of concern for this particular tract
include Chinaberry and skunkvine. Herbicide treatments and prescribed burns to eradicate and control bahia
within the 19-acre flatwood restoration is also conducted as necessary (photograph).
Qualitative monitoring was conducted semi-annually by a consulting firm on contract with the SWFWMD through
2008. Monitoring stations were established to adequately evaluate and document habitat and wildlife conditions
and functions for the various preserved, enhanced and restored ecosystems. The results of the monitoring
events were compiled into annual monitoring reports, along with information of the various maintenance and
management activities and success trends. Qualitative reviews and collaboration between County & WMD staff
continue to evaluate the progress of the upland restoration area and the habitat conditions & wildlife use of the
other ecosystems on the property.
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