PERSPECTIVE


 The FIPR research program has considered several issues related to wetland
 reconstruction on phosphate mined lands, including:

 How should we rebuild and manage wetlands, and what can Nature do on its own?
 How can we tell when wetlands are successfully restored?
 To what extent do we need to manage nuisance species, such as primrose willow,
 cattail and vines?

 This research examined several factors that affect the development of forested
 wetlands on reclaimed phosphate mined lands. Part of the research was based on the
 premise that certain plants, e.g. primrose willow (Ludwigia peruviana) and cattail (Typha
 spp.), that have been designated as "nuisance" species by the Florida Department of
 Environmental Protection are really just early successional species that will be displaced by
 trees as the forest canopy develops. The project examined the effects of shade (shade cloth
 on frames to simulate a forest canopy) on primrose willow and cattail in the field, plus
 greenhouse work on the effects of nutrients and shade on competition of these species with
 sapling trees. Simultaneously, FIPR also conducted field experiments examining the effects
 of actual forest canopy on primrose willow (see Richardson and Kluson 1999, listed below).
 UF also studied the impact of vines on forested wetland development and looked at the
 importance of microtopographic relief (e.g. small mounds and depressions) on tree growth
 and understory species diversity in wetlands. The research also further documents the trends
 in development of various indicators of wetland functions in reclaimed forested wetland
 sites of various ages.

 The reader is referred to the following related reports and papers:

 Brown, M.T. and R.E. Tighe (eds.). 1991. Techniques and guidelines for reclamation of
 phosphate mined lands. FIPR Publication No. 03-044-095.

 Crisman, T.L., W.J. Streever, J.H. Kiefer and D.L. Evans. 1997. An evaluation of plant
 community structure, fish and benthic meio- and macrofauna as success criteria for
 reclaimed wetlands. FIPR Publication No. 03-086-135.

Erwin, K.L., S.J. Doherty, M.T. Brown and G.R. Best. 1997. Evaluation of constructed
 wetlands on phosphate mined lands in Florida. FIPR Publication No. 03-103-139, Vols.
 I, II, I .

Richardson, S.G. and R.A. Kluson. 1999. Managing nuisance plant species in forested
 wetlands on reclaimed phosphate mined-lands in Florida. Proceedings of the 26th Annual
 Conference on Ecosystem Restoration and Creation, p. 104-118. Tampa, Florida, May
 1999.

Steven G. Richardson
FIPR Reclamation Research Director