RESULTS


 Characteristics of constructed forested wetlands were measured in the central
 Florida phosphate district. First, data were collected from a chronosequence of nine sites,
 then from six sites specifically chosen because of the intensity of vine dominance. To
 test theories concerning the role of vines in forested wetland systems, a computer model
 was simulated.

 In the following section the data from field studies of the chronosequence of sites
 are presented first, followed by the data from the vine dominated sites. Finally, results of
 the computer model simulations are given.


 CHRONOSEQUENCE SAMPLING

 The chronosequence sampling design includes data for nine wetlands, which were
 randomly sampled using transects. Presence of vines in the reclaimed landscape is
 addressed first, followed by edaphic site conditions where vines are present.


 Vegetative Data

 The combination of vine species present on each site exhibited great
 heterogeneity. Table 6.4 lists the 18 different genera found on the nine chronosequence
 sites. Of the total genera observed, 11 were recorded within square meter quadrats and
 two vine genera, Cuscuta and Passiflora, were observed on sites, but never found within
 the confines of the sample transects. Aster carolinianus was included as a vine, as it has
 been described as a sprawling shrub or vine (Alden and others 1998; Foote and Jones
 1998), though its designation is uncertain. The herbaceous vine Mikania scandens was
 sampled or observed on 8 of the 9 chronosequence sites. The only site that Mikania
 scandens was not found on was 12-year-old Cateye. A general trend was apparent as an
 increase in the number of vine genera according to site age. Table 6.4 shows that the 18-
 year-old site Sink Branch had 12 vine genera present, followed by 8 and 7 genera
 occurring at 15-year old Guy Branch and 14-year-old SP11, respectively. Younger sites
 such as LP2 Phase 1 and Nichols Mine had the fewest vine genera present, with only
 Mikania scandens present on each site. The 2-year-old site Super Hummock had 2 vine
 genera recorded, but only Mikania scandens was present within the transect boundaries.

 Vine data were grouped as herbaceous and woody vines rather than by genus or
species. Figure 6.7 depicts a general trend of an increase in the number of rooted
herbaceous vines through age six, followed by a decrease. The exception was the large
number of rooted herbaceous vines at the 17-year-old Morrow Swamp site with over
28,000 rooted herbaceous vines per hectare. There was also a noticeable increase in the
number of rooted woody vines beginning around age 6, with the greatest number of


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