In this episode, we explore the unique ecology of scrub habitat in Florida. What is a scrub? Where are they located?How are they different from similar ecosystems? How does fire play a role in scrub habitats? What threats do scrub habitats face? What can you do about it? We cover this and more in this episode of Naturally Florida.

Learn More:

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf

• Topographpic map, elevation, terrain - https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/map-x1rv5k/Polk-County/

• Calamintha bee (Shannon mentioned in episode) - https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/discover-nest-northern-range-blue-calamintha-bee/

• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/

• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373

• Florida Scrub - https://crocdoc.ifas.ufl.edu/publications/msrpmap/floridascrub/

How You Can Help:

• Florida scrub is globally rare and incredibly unique, supporting plants and animals found nowhere else. Speak up and advocate for the preservation of the special natural lands. Needs some inspiration, check out the GladysE. Douglas Preserve story.

• Fire is essential in scrub habitats —without it, the ecosystem collapses and species disappear. Be sure to support and advocate for prescribed fires in your area.

• Scrub may look barren, but it’s a biodiversity hotspot—an ecological gem hiding in plain sight. See if you can find a scrub habitat near you to visit!

Sources for this Episode:

• Florida Natural Areas Inventory: Scrub - https://www.fnai.org/PDFs/NC/Scrub_Final_2010.pdf

• Scrub and High Pine - https://programs.ifas.ufl.edu/florida-land-steward/forest-resources/upland-forest-ecosystems/scrub-and-high-pine/

• Common Woody Plants of Florida Scrub Ecosystems- https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR373

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠

In this episode, we'll discuss the three different species of mangroves found in Florida, their northward migration, and the critical role they play in our coastal ecosystems. We'll also share practical actions you can take to help protect these vital habitats.

Learn More: 

• Florida's Mangroves - https://floridadep.gov/rcp/rcp/content/floridas-mangroves

• Mangroves - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/mangroves/

• Mangrove Species Profiles - https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/southflorida/habitats/mangroves/species/

• Mangrove propagule image - https://ocean.si.edu/ecosystems/coasts-shallow-water/floating-propagules

• Video of fiddler crab - https://youtu.be/y4dWVCdsXQU?si=M5KI0XjM_KlBhB5d&t=13

• Mangrove Ecosystem Services Field Lesson by Holly Abeels - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2dsmo6W2do

How You Can Help: 

• Participate in local mangrove planting and restoration projects.

• Avoid using harmful chemicals in your garden that can run off into coastal waters. Not sure where the water from your property flows, find out here: https://mywaterway.epa.gov/

• If you have mangroves on your property that need trimming, please work with a certified mangrove trimmer - https://floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources-coordination/content/state-authorized-professional

Sources for this Episode: 

• Narayan, S. et al. (2019) Valuing the Flood Risk Reduction Benefits of Florida’s Mangroves, The Nature Conservancy.

• Assessing the role of mangrove forest in reducing coastal inundation during major hurricanes: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-017-3201-8

• The Global Flood Protection Benefits of Mangroves - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-61136-6

Vultures can be seen throughout Florida, whether soaring in the air or feeding on the ground, visitor or resident, we have all encountered vultures in Florida. We actually have two species of vultures in Florida, the black vulture and the turkey vulture. While they may seem clumsy and not the most attractive birds, they play a critical role in our ecosystem. Learn how to tell these two species apart and the importance of these birds to our natural world.

Learn More:

• Black Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-vulture
• Turkey Vulture - https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/turkey-vulture

• Vultures: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/raptors-and-vultures/vultures/
• Black Vulture or Turkey Vulture? That Is the Question: https://youtu.be/S-XcSqcpBpI?si=4c1FObJAVCkpqzMb

How You Can Help:

• Respect their space, they are doing a critically important job that none of us want to do. Let them do their work 😉

• Share this episode with a family member, colleague, neighbor or friend. Help us share the love for this keystone species.

Sources:

• Do Vultures Find Dead Animals By Smell or By Tracking Predators Or Scavengers On The Ground? https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/do-vultures-find-dead-animals-by-smell-or-by-tracking-predators-or-scavengers-on-the-ground/

• Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch - Vulture-cattle interactions at a central Florida ranch

• Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Gamecock Scientists Say “Vultures Need Love” - Jax State News

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, join our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠⁠⁠

• We just did an episode on trees two months ago, but they are such a critical part of our ecosystems, it’s hard not to talk about them. Today, we thought it would be fun to focus in on the oaks. Oaks are found throughout Florida and play a critical role providing ecosystem services and wildlife benefits. Learn More:

• • Florida’s Oaks - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/florida-oaks/

  • The Little Oaks – Part I: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2019/07/11/the-little-oaks-part-i/

  • The Little Oaks – Part II: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2019/08/12/the-little-oaks-part-ii/

  Previous Episodes Referenced:

  • Stormwater Episode: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-does-rain-go-after-it-falls/id1573268305?i=1000526291174 ⁠

  • Intro to Urban Forestry Episode: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trees-and-people-an-intro-to-urban-forestry/id1573268305?i=1000533017933 ⁠

  How You Can Help:

  • Take advantage of oak leaf fall by utilizing the leaves as mulch - https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2021/03/06/fallen-oak-leaves-make-a-great-mulch/

  • Get your tree checked out by a certified arborist and setup a pruning plan! ⁠https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist⁠

  • Consider planting an oak, but make sure you plant the right tree in the right place - https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/oak-trees/

  Sources:

  • Oak Forest Ecosystems: Ecology and Management for Wildlife - https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=tcH8EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA182&dq=benefits+of+acorns&ots=WALVLyqyi5&sig=mhZ24zuxMYjsasR4GxUBTxpAuTA#v=onepage&q=benefits%20of%20acorns&f=false

  • Abscission - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/abscission

On today's episode, you'll hear about a few of our non-native lizards and learn about the complexity of when a species may or may not be called invasive.

Learn more:

• The Invasion Curve: A Tool for Understanding Invasive Species Management in South Florida - https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW392

• "Ticks and Tickborne Illness in Florida" (a Naturally Florida podcast episode): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ticks-and-tickborne-illness-in-florida/id1573268305?i=1000621364386
• Naturally Florida Podcast Explains - Invasive Species: ⁠https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/2025/02/14/naturally-florida-podcast-explains-invasive-species/

• 
  

How you can help:

• Report Sightings of Nonnative Species: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/report/
• Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Search: https://app.myfwc.com/hgm/nwt/nwtsearch.aspx

While much of the country waits until late April to celebrate Arbor Day, Florida marks the occasion several months sooner. Our subtropical climate makes it safe—and even beneficial—to plant trees during the cooler, drier winter months (with proper irrigation). By doing this now, young saplings have time to develop strong root systems beforefacing the intense heat and storms of the summer season. Perhaps you recently attended an Arbor Day event, or took home a tree to plant in your yard. This episode explores Florida Arbor Day and tips for caring for your tree.

Learn more:

Economic Contributions of UrbanForestry in Florida in 2017 - https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/94000/file/FLUrbanForestry_Infographic.pdf

Wind and Trees: Lessons Learnedfrom Hurricanes (Mentioned by Shannon) - https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/woody/documents/FR173.pdf

How You Can Help:

Plant a tree! Watch this video tolearn how: https://youtu.be/HXdlsJ451b8?si=uy9JFBluX-HjeJCp&t=37

Prune your maturing or mature trees,to ensure they are storm resistant and healthy.

Go to https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarboristto find a certified tree expert to help maintain your trees.

Sources for this Episode: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/FR/FR17400.pdf

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr173

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/09/08/471/

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr175

http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/trees-that-can-withstand-hurricanes.html

Arbor Day 2024 ‑History & Facts | HISTORY

Planting andEstablishing Trees – Gardening Solutions

https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, join our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠⁠

THANK YOU to all our loyal listeners that completed our annual podcast survey! If you missed out, no worries, you can give us feedback anytime on our website or try again next year starting in the Fall when we launch our survey again.

In this episode, we explore the world of oysters. What are they? What do they do? What happens when they die? Eastern oysters play a critical role in Florida’s estuarine habitats, supporting hundreds of species big and small. Learn all about oysters and how you can support them in this episode.

Learn More:

• Eastern Oyster - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/eastern-oyster

• Eastern Oyster Biology - ⁠ https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/mollusc/eastern-oysters/biology/

• Oyster Reef Habitat - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/habitat-conservation/oyster-reef-habitat

How You Can Help:

• Consider installing a vertical oyster garden off your dock, or paint one to hang as décor in your home as a talking point for family and friends. Reach out to your local Florida Sea Grant Agent to find out if you have VOG efforts in your county.

• Keep eating oysters! By consuming oysters, you are supporting the oyster industry and the restoration efforts throughout Florida utilizing recycling oyster shell for living shoreline projects and more!

Sources for this Episode:

• TBEP Oyster Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) - https://tampabay.wateratlas.usf.edu/oyster-habitat-suitability/

• Historical ecology with real numbers: past and present extent and biomass of an imperiled estuarine habitat - http://www.oyster-restoration.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/zuErmgassen_etal_historical_ecology_2012.pdf •What is a bivalve mollusk? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/bivalve.html

• Oyster Shell Recycling Pilot Program - ⁠⁠ https://pinellas.gov/programs/oyster-shell-recycling-pilot-program/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations⁠

On today's episode we're talking turkey - the wild turkey, that is! Learn all about Florida's wild turkey species, their biology, and even bust a myth or two.

Learn More:

• See a turkey swim: Youtube Video from @southernoutlawadventures5106 on youtube.com
• Learn everything you could ever want to know about turkeys and managing habitat for turkeys, by listening to Wild Turkey Science

• 
  

How You Can Help:

• Support prescribed fire initiatives in and around your Florida community.
• Plant forage species in your suburban or rural yard that support turkeys: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/7-grasses-and-forbs-you-need-on-your-property
• Reduce the use of broadcast insecticides in your yard and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

• 
  

Sources:

• https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sumterco/2022/12/31/wildlife-invasive-species-education-wise-species-profile-wild-turkey/
• https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/overview

• • https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/game-birds/wild-turkeys/