total biomass, an increase of nutrient storage, and an increase in species diversity, until
the stage when further growth stops, the climax or steady state (Odum and others 1997).


PLAN OF STUDY

 This research, funded by the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (FIPR),
focused on quantifying the areal extent, dominance, and persistence of vines on reclaimed
phosphate mined lands using two different sampling designs. The research concentrated
on growth characteristics of vines, conditions favorable for their growth, and their
persistence over time. The systems studied were constructed forested wetlands
undergoing primary succession (Figure 6.1). The general systems diagram shows the
driving energies of sunlight, wind, rain, surface and ground water, nutrients, and seed
dispersal contributing to the development of storage of herbaceous vine biomass, woody
vine biomass, tree biomass, wetland soil, water storage, and wetland "architectural"
structure. Important pathways include the competition for sunlight and nutrients between
herbaceous vines, woody vines, and trees.

 Sampling was adopted to answer three main questions:

 Do vines interfere with or enhance ecological succession and community
 development?
 Do vines exhibit successional trends, where different species are dominant
 during different stages of forested wetland succession?
 Are there specific environmental conditions that favor vine dominance?

A chronosequence sampling design allowed for random sampling to determine what
percent of the landscape vines occupied. Nine wetlands were sampled, and fieldwork
included collecting both abiotic and biotic data to evaluate biophysical conditions for
growth, extent of area dominated by vines, and potential management alternatives. An
intensive sampling design of areas dominated by vines was conducted to answer the
question of what environmental conditions favor vine growth. Six wetlands were
sampled, and fieldwork involved collecting both abiotic and biotic data including the
percent herbaceous vegetation cover, sunlight transmittance, vine biomass, and soil
characteristics.

 Data collected in the field were incorporated into a computer model of forested
wetland succession. The model included tree, woody vine, and herbaceous vine biomass
storage competing for sunlight and nutrients. The model was used to test theories of the
role of vines in early successional wetland environments.


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