8/28/14 at 2:00 PM
Location: Osprey Trail on Honeymoon Island State Park
Conditions: 92 degrees Fahrenheit; winds <5mph
Mostly sunny with 20% cloud cover
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| Effects of fire in a tall underbrush due to lightning strike on slash pine (Pinus elliottii). |
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| Chiococca alba - Common snowberry |
Today, Dan Laramore spoke with the class about the differences between native, endemic, and invasive species to Florida. He walked us through a natural, managed area where all three could be seen. An invasive species is one that was brought to Florida by travelers in the 1500s which competes with and replaces native species. Some examples seen on this trail include the rosary pea, Brazilian pepper, cogongrass, and the balsam pear. A native species is one that was in Florida without human intervention. Some examples of native species seen include cabbage palm, poison ivy, slash pine (above), common snowberry (above), and the gopher tortoise. An endemic species is one that is only found in Florida. One such endemic species is the dune sunflower.
