Day 4:Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge

4^th March 2014

Refuge location: 26.4583° N, 82.1000° W, temperature: 27⁰C, sunny day with mild cool breeze.

The Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary in the Sanibal Florida, which provides habitat to wild animals, migratory birds and native vegetation. It is also habitat for the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA. This is one of the 550-wildlife refuge managed by US Fish and Wildlife Services, which was established in 1976.The refuge consists of over 5,200 acres of mangrove forest, submerged seagrass beds, cordgrass marshes, and West Indian hardwood hammocks. Approximately 2,800 acres of the refuge are designated by Congress as a Wilderness Area.

 We were fortunate enough to visit this place and enjoy the natural beauty.The visit of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge was a wonderful experience for me. That visit helped me to understand various conservation strategies and management of various habitats, mainly of mangroves ecosystem. 

Tiny frog hiding inside the tree

We reached the refuge at 9 am and started our day with a talk given by one of the refuge manager Ms. Toni. She introduced us with the history, present and future plans of the refuge. According to her, the wildlife refuge hosts 70,000 to 80,000 migratory birds annually. A total of 220 species of birds are recorded in the refuge.  However, in the past, high water  levels also provided breeding place for the mosquitoes for many years. In order to control the mosquitoes and provide adequate feeding habitats for  the birds the water levels are artificially kept balanced during spring and fall, but during the remaining periods the water levels follow natural tidal fluctuations. 

Similarly, in the past, a large flow of visitors created a problem by throwing away non biodegradable plastic bags.  Therefore, now  authority has banned plastic bags within the corridors of the refuge. Simultaneously, they conduct weekly cleaning activities within the refuge to collect plastic bags.  Due this effort by the authority and the involvement of volunteers the refuge  was mostly free from plastic bags during the visit.

Another good management practice observed was to close the refuge for visitors one day a week to reduce the impact of humans to animals. Moreover, the refuge's internal fund generating activities were also helping for the conservation and management of the wildlife through hunting, fishing, wildlife education and wildlife watching. The shooting, a wildlife conservation strategy, was found to be successfully implemented in the refuge. Refuge authorities were extensively utilising social medias, online resources and volunteers for the refuge publicity, conservation awareness raising and to involve local people in the conservation of wildlife.  

Anhinga pair

After a lecture from Toni, we went for a boardwalk and a mangroves trail walk to observe birds, alligators and floral diversity. The most exciting was to observe wading birds' activities on the mangrove trees from the tower. However, most scary part was to see paths made by alligators in between mangroves to move from one side of road to another side. When all were busy in observing birds, I was also concerned about the brown water in which mangroves were growing. I asked Ms. Toni about this and she replied that it could have been due to the degradation of mangroves. 

Brown water due to degradation of 

mangroves

While walking through the trails, we observed a rich rich floral and faunal diversity in the refuge. Plant species seen were Wild Olive (Olea. Oleaster), Wild Coffee (Coffea arabica), Red mangroves and Black Mangroves (Avicennia germinans). Birds observed include Anhinga anhinga, Black crown night herone (Nycticorax nycticorax), Green Heron (Butorides virescens), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), American Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) and American whitepelican(Pelecanus erythrorhynchus). Crabs were Horseshoe crab (Limulidae) and mangrove treecrab (Aratus pisonii). I was fascinated by seeing Red belly watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster), Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis). Though it was more exciting to know that the refuge has three Bald eagles' nest, unfortunately, we  couldn't see any of them.

Mangrove's propagu

Afterwards, we went for a wildlife observation transit line drive. On the both sides of the transit line many other birds species including Egret, Pelican, Ibis, Heron and Anhinga were sited. At the same time, we got an opportunity to see West Indian Manatee again.

From the Refuge, we moved towards the Barefoot Beach preserve, which is also known as the habitat of many species of birds, butterflies and tortoise. The preserve is 342-acre barrier island, which is isolated from the mainland by mangrove swamps and tidal creeks. It is located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Northwest Corner of Collier County.  First we observed few species of trees and birds through boardwalk then we went for swimming. When rest of the group members were busy in swimming, I got an opportunity to see a few species of birds including Great Blue Heron, little blue heron, Ibis and Sandwich tern and snowy egret in the shore of Barefoot Beach.

Day 2: Enjoyment at Florida Gulf Coast University

3^rd March 2014

Location: 26.4625° N, 81.7729° W, Temperature: 28 °C and a sunny bright day

Constructed pond within the Campus
with  alligators

This was our second beautiful morning at Vester Marine Field Station, Florida. When we were waiting outside the station to go to the  Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Campus, I heard a loud call of a female osprey.  I saw that the bird was nesting on the Vester Station. Though, I couldn't figure out why she was calling, my guess was that she could be calling her partner. At the same time, I saw a pair of Great White Egrets (Ardea alba) flying over us.  Soon after this, we started our field trip of the day.We moved towards the FGCU Campus, South Fort Myers, Florida. FGCU is a relatively big university with approximately 14000 students from around the world. 

Our

A palm tree

purpose of the visit were to observe the University Campus, visit various research sites located inside the University boundaries, and study different types of habitats and ecology. We reached the University Campus at around 10 am and were welcomed by the staff of the University. Then we moved towards the research sites with Dr. Edwin, an ecologist in the University Campus. I found Dr. Edwin as a very devoted and skillful guide and a teacher. His style of introducing both the campus and the entire ecosystem in the University campus together, were fascinating. Because of his friendly nature, we were able to learn many new things quickly. After a quick introduction of and visit to the FGCU Campus, we went to observe research sites. 

Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)

The FCGU Campus is managing various types of wildlife habitats and protecting wetlands as an "Ecosystem Model". Majority of flora and fauna of Florida were available in the ecosystem model. The concept to conserve various habitats and to grow major native plant species was to study different ecological processes in that area to obtain information, which can be used for the restoration of  natural habitats in various parts of Florida. Florida is prone to various natural hazards including wildfires, hurricanes and typhoon. Such type of natural hazards have potentiality to degrade natural habitats and wetlands. In order to minimise the impacts of natural hazards and make resilient natural habitats, the research and development from the "ecosystem model" can be crucial.We started our field study from wet prairie. Before reaching wet prairie, we saw a few Cabbage palms. Cabbage palms are very important plants since their abundance in one area, to some extent, control hurricane. It was interesting for me to see a dry 'wet prairie'. According to Professor Edwin, the prairie was not wet during that time because the wet prairie is inundated only for about six months a year. Among other marshes found in Florida, wet prairie is the most common in the FGCU Campus. We observed no trees, but only a sparse cover of grasses in flat terrain, which are the characteristics of the wet prairie ecosystem. Various factors limit hardwood trees growth in the wet prairie. Factors includes regular fires, and less organic matter in the soils. From the exposed areas, we could see sandy soils with less organic matter content. However, it is important to have such kind of habitats of wet prairie for number of beneficial reasons including filtration of excessive pollutants from farmlands and residential runoffs, flood controls and support to various flora and fauna.   

Dandelion (Taraxacum officnale)

We also observed the vegetation gradient starting from Saw Palmetto to Saw Grass and finally reaching to Florida Slash Pine.  However, another informative section of the visit  included a close observation of Cypress swamp habitat, which was also available on the walking distance from the FGCU Campus. The purpose of the CypressSwamp visit was to understand and demonstrate various ecological services and processes provided by Cypress swamps in the nature and to understand various research and studies conducted. 

We were very excited to go for a swamp walk. We got an opportunity to stay within the swamp for more than half an hour and during that period we were able to observe the swamp closely. Reason behind the swamp walk for us was to understand and feel the importance of swamps in the conservation of biodiversity. The Cypress swamp, as name suggests, was dominated by and characterized by Cypress trees followed by Alligator Flag and a few Brazilian pepper trees. I was lucky to see one brown anole, a lizard. However, I was able to show that to only one friend.

     Within the cypress swamp 
wandering for the  diversity

While wandering around the University, Dr. Edwin introduced us different floral and faunal species. I have included some of the species here. Crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) and Fire ants, palms observed were Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto) and Saw Palmetto, Salix spp., Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) and Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii) were also found there. Wild flowers seen were Black- eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata), Dandelion (Taraxacum officnal) and Tickseed (Coreopsis). Other species observed within the University campus were cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis), Greenhouse frog, Sawgrass (Cladium californicum),Sunfish (Mola mola), Muskitter fish, water lilies (Nymphaeaceae), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), Bamboo spp., (Bambuseae), Bidens, dragon flies and wild grass species. Birds species noticed were Snowy Egret, American crow, Red-bellied woodpecker and Great heron. As many of the species observed in the FGCU Campus were repeated in other parts of visited areas, I have included all the floral and faunal species in my last blog of this trip.  

Prop roots of Red Mangrove
( Rhizophora mangle)

Furthermore, Dr. Edwin told us that students have developed a vegetable garden in the University by converting parking ground into garden to set up an example of a sustainable agriculture. Students have also started to sell the vegetables in weekly market. I think, among others, an experience of walking in the swamp and Dr. Edwin’s cathedral Cypress swamp walk will remain with me for whole life. Other memorable activities includes a watching alligators in the constructed pond with lilies blooming, learning monitoring method of fishes in the pond and eating fruits from the sustainable vegetable garden. 

After visiting an interesting place, we had our lunch in the University canteen. Then we headed towards Vester Field Marine Station. Now it was a time for kayaking in the Vester Field Marine Station and to observe mangroves ecology closely. At the same time, I was both really excited and a bit nervous, as it was my first experience of kayaking. However, with the encouragement of my friends, I was able to do it perfectly. I took many pictures of mangroves with prop roots from every angle.  Although, it was very challenging to perform two tasks at a time i.e. to balance a kayaking boat and capture pictures of birds and mangroves. I was able to capture some pictures of White Ibis and Brown Pelican. I was very scared  when our boat hit mangroves, however, nobody was hurt. Second day in Florida also happened to be more exciting and I was able to gain some extra knowledge of sub-tropical wetlands and enjoy kayaking.

JOURNEY BEGINS!!!

With many excitements to visit a new country, eagerness to observe and learn the management of various sub-tropical wetlands and in situ conservation of wetlands' biodiversity in Florida, USA, we left the Bangor University early in the morning on 1st March, 2014. This was a field course of a week entitled "Conservation and ecology of subtropical wetlands, Florida 2" led by Professor. Chris Freeman and Dr. Christian Dunn. Main aims of this course were to develop basic field skills of various new habitats, learn ecology in situ, promote group works, experience the challenges faced by wildlife scientists, and critically examine all conservation and management strategies. In addition to these aims, I was there to collect mangrove soil samples for my dissertation. Warm and pleasant weather provided me a warm welcome for my first feet on the USA. I was wildly enthusiastic to observe as much wild flora and fauna as possible before reaching our final staying station. Unfortunately, in spite of around four hours' drive, I was unable to even see the landscapes because of the dark night. According to our field plan, we reached our final destination, Vester Marine Field Station, Fort Mayers, Florida late night. After some sleep for the night, actual field works started from next day.

The following blogs provide each day's activities, biodiversity in the sites, visited sites introduction and critical analysis of the management and species lists observed.

Map: Florida (source: worldatlas)

  

Park Location: N 26° 23.578, W 81° 52.063, Temperature: 26 °C, Sunny and bright day.

Day 1: Lovers  Key State Park

2nd March  2014

Park Location: N 26° 23.578, W 81° 52.063, Temperature: 26 °C, Sunny and bright day.

Inside the park After lunch, we went to the Lovers Key State Park, a Florida state park and managed by  Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The park has an area of 712 acres consisting various important islands such as barrier islands, Black Island, Long Key, Inner Key and Lovers Key. The park borders to Bonita beach and Bonita springs. Every year thousands of visitors come to the park in order to enjoy various activities such as wildlife viewing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking, picnicking, mangroves visiting and enjoying beautiful beaches. However, the islands, forming the park, underwent various anthropogenic influences before the state acquired them and declared as a park merging with the Carl E. Johnson Country Park in 1996. Islands were highly disturbed due to various developmental activities between 1960 and 1970. Among other impacts, an influential impact was observed in  mangrove wetlands since they were disturbed due to dredging a canal system passing through Black Island. Gopher tortoise Boardwalk along red mangroves trail The park is famous in Florida for its rich flora and fauna. Our aim of the park visit was also to explore the biodiversity. The park provides habitats to varieties of wildlifes including West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus), marshrabbits (Sylvilagus palustris), bottlenosedolphins (Tursiops), and more than 40 bird species, including roseate spoonbills (Ajaja ajaja), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Snowy Egret, bald eagles, and American Kestrel (Falco sparverius). Whereas, Black Island is famous for woodpeckers, hawks, owls and warblers.During a short visit, we were able to site many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, marine mollusks (Atlantic Horseshoe Crab ( Limulus polyphemus)) and butterflies along with the observation of floral diversity. Birds species sited include Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Barn owl (Tyto alba), Red horned woodpecker, White Ibis (Eudocimus albus), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus), Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), Ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), Eastern Screech Owl. Alligators, brown anole (Anolis sagrei), Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) were also observed closely. Dominating tree species observed were Strangler fig (Ficus aurea) and Spanish cerrex and Red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) and Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans). Moreover, we also got an opportunity to see squirrels, fire ants and Gopher tortoise.Observing Florida’s most famous state butterfly Zebra long wing (Heliconius charitonia)  was really an amazing experience. The most exciting parts of the visit were to observe West Indian manatees (Trichechus), and a boardwalk through red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) trail. In future, I will definitely prefer to visit this place again. Despite being entirely a strange place in a never visited country, I found the place quite familiar to me. I believe the feeling was due to the fact that most of the flora and fauna observed in the park were familiar to me.    Zebra longwing After spending around three hours in the park, we headed towards a beach. As the field activity was finished for the day, remaining time for students was to relax. While all of my friends were swimming, I was busy in observing different types of shells and clicking pictures in the seashore. It was a fun! After spending couple of hours, we headed towards our living place, Vester Coastal marine station.

Pumlumon

Pumlumon, which holds huge carbon in its peat and rich in biodiversity, is one of the highest points of the Cambrian mountain. It is the largest watershed in Wales. Eight rivers are originated from the Pumlumon. However, this site has been facing various threats in recent decades. Between 1950 and 1960 drainage to improve grazing started and that is considered to be the main cause of biodiversity loss and peat erosion. Excessive sheep grazing is also one of the major problems of this area.

As a response, to minimize consequences of excessive degradation of this huge landscape, the

Pumlumon view

Pumlumon project was started in 2007. The aim of this project is to recreate key habitats. These include:

·      Restoration of bogs by ditches blocking.

·       Repairement of hydrology of wetlands.

·      Woodland planting.

·      Fencing large areas of banks to create wildlife corridors.

Drainage ditches

·      Wetlands

As a result of Pumlumon project and hard efforts of authorities, the following positive outcomes are observed:

·      Ditch blocking helped to enhance water holding capacity and raise water table.

·      After 4 years of project implication and start of mix grazing, the heather returned to species poor grassland.

As a result of successful attempts till now, authorities are hoping for better results in future to conserve this magnificent landscape.