Keystones: They support more than you think What do alligators, gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers have in common? They are all "keystone species" found in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Just as an architectural keystone holds a stone arch together, certain keystone (animal) species hold much of the Okefenokee biological community together: Keystone species enrich habitats by their activities, and are critical for the survival of other species. Like a key- stone ifna stone arch, a keystone species holds the rest of the animal community together; if you remove the key- stone, everything else would collapse. In Okefenokee, al- ligators, gopher tortoises and red-cockaded woodpeckers indirectly affect the survival of many other animal species. The loss of any of these keystone species can lead to the disappearance of other species, eventually leading to the collapse of the native habitat community. Just like anywhere else on the planet, animals, which live in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, need food, water, shelter and territory in order to survive. If New MOTO-ST Motorcycle Series shakes The MOTO-ST Series, the new endurance motorcycle racing series, paimcipated in a one-day test last week at Da\ - toun International Speedwday tDIS) in preparation for next month's inaugural S Hours of Daytona motorcycle en- durance race during Fall Cycle Scene. M4- EMGO Suzuki nders Nhchael Barnes and Ed Sorbo participated in the test as the MOTO-ST Series gathered in- formation about the course configuration, lighting. tires and the motorcycle. The MOTO-ST Senes will hold the 8 Hours of Daytona on Saturday.Oct 21 beginning at 1 p.m. with S100,U00l in purse and lap money. MOTO- ST will kick off their 2007 in- aucural season in March at DIS during Daytona 200 Week By Houda. "The goals for this test are mainly the course configura- tion, just making sure that the ideas the\ had are going tooc work for this type of race." Bames said. "e&'x e got a cou- ple of different pnons as tfar as the infield is concerned mainly being the west horseshoe with the new pavement and the old west horseshoe. "Other than that, we're test- ing the longevity of the spec Pirelli nres to get an idea how long they are going to last xer- tsus fuel load and lust see if there any other safety Issues that we want to address as tar as the track is concerned. It's not really a test session for per- formance. We just threw some tires and some minor suspen- sion on the bike. It's nowhere near race trim. It's mainly for the sauticoning body and the track." Barnes, who will ride a Suzuki entry for M4 EMGO Suzuki in the 8 Hours of Day- tona with Chns Ulrich and Ge- off May, is a veteran of Day- down Daytona tona Intemational Speedway and endurance motorcycle races. "I've done a bunch of world endurance," said Barnes. who used to hve in the Daltona Beach area and attended near- by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniN ersirt. "I've done 24-hour races. I've done the Suzuka 8 Hour which is very similar to this format (finishing) into the night with the majority of (the race) being during the day. This is going to be easv. You've got a lot of lights and a lot of time to rest on the straightaways and on the bank- mg It %\ don't be nearly as tax- ing as some of the race tracks that I've done for endurance racing. "The biggest thing for any endurance race as far as the under is concerned is hydration and making sure you're physi- cally read,. Other than that es- pecially coming here to Day- tona, the attrition of the equip- meut is probably most cntical. You want to build a bike that's going to last rather than be the fastest one out there. Eight hours at Daytona is going to be really quite taxing on a motor- cycle." Barnes. who now resides in Boca Raton is excited about the opportunity to compete un- der the lights at the "World Center of Racing." The 8 Hours of Daytona. which will finish under the lights, is the first nighttime motorcycle race at DIS since the 1985 Paul Re- vere 250. "Racing at Daytona under the lights is something that hasn't been available in my ca- reer." Bames said. "I'Tve never had a lap around here at night until tonight. It's going to be interesting." Tickets for Fall Cycle Scene are a\ ailable at www.racetick- ets.com or by calling toll-free 800-PITSHOP EYEGLAS EXPRSST Sfteccf O~e (COUPON). Eyeglasses 6ww (G4 I Includes Frame and Single Vision lenses. Offer only good for Lake City Store. Some restrictions apply. 1 Coupon required. Regular price $49. Offer expires September 30, 2006. (COUPON) LmWed 7Tme O6fer Eyeglass Food Express '4 HWy. 90 Hwy I247 their habitat is missing any one of these components, they must adapt (not easy), move (if they can) or perish. The gopher tortoise is a keystone species because of under- ground burrows they dig, which can be upwards to 40 feet long and have a constant cooler temperature. The bur- rows provide shelter for other animals during periods of extreme heat, drought, or in the event of fire. Over 50 species of animals, including the eastern indigo snake, eastern diamondback- rattlesnake anfd the gopher frog, have been found to inhabit gopher tortoise burrows. It's not a stretch to say that many animal species would sure- ly suffer if it wasn't for the gopher tortoise. Alligators are another keystone species in Okefenokee. The wallows that they dig, dubbed "gator holes," also serve as pools and feeding areas for fish, birds and turtles during low water. Their proximity to wood stork and oth- er wading bird rookeries unintentionally provide protec- tion of eggs from predatory animals, such as raccoons. The alligators are themselves rewarded, when a juvenile fledgling fails to learn how to fly, and instead finishes by becoming a tasty meal for the patient gator. The endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is also keystone species because the cavities they create in FWC to conduct "bonus" drawing for recreational use permits Contact: Office of Licensing and Pti ,ittini. 85'-N4.-.5-36'41 A "bonus" drawing for recreational use permits for Gulf Hammock, Grove Park, Relay and Fort McCoy wildlife management areas will be conducted Thurs- day, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. (EDT) by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). The areas sold out during the first day permits were available July 11, while the FWC's license vendor ex- perienced computer problems that intermittently blocked permit sales for about an hour. The FWC will issue an additional 45 permits for Gulf Hammock ($275 each), 20 permits for Grove Park ($325 each), 30 permits for Relay ($275 each) and 15 permits for Fort McCoy ($200 each). These bonus permits will be valid through May 31, 2007, and are not renewable. Person's who previously received a permit in the earli-., er drawing are not permitted to participate in the bonus drawing. A recreational use permit allows the permit holder and one dependent child (under age 17) to hunt, fish and use the property for other recreational activities. Anna Miller Circle holds Third Annual Fishing Tournament this Saturday Anna Miller Circle of Live Oak Elks Lodge 1165 will sponsor its Third Annual Fishing Tournament in Steinhatchee, Saturday, Sept. 16 at River Haven Marina. Entry fee $25 per person. Weigh-in from 1-4 p.m. Prizes total $1,500, plus free drawings and give-aways. Boat rental aind lodging available at lo'al marinas. Info/entry forms: Terri Johnson, 386- 776-2508, Helen Pratt 386- 362-4979 or River Haven Marina & Motel, 352-498- 0709. With the exception of hunting, the permit holder's spouse and other dependent children can fish and use the property for recreational purposes. Recreational Use Permit Worksheets can be., down- loaded from MyFWC. com /hunting under "Limited Entry Hunts" and are available at FWC regional offices and tax collectors' offices within close proximity to. the specific WMA. Hunters may apply on-line at www.wildlifelicense.cbm or any license agent or tax collector's office beginning Thursday, Sept. 14 at 1Q a.m. (EDT). Permits will be issued on a first-come, first- served basis. Hunters may only apply for and receive one recre- ational use permit for the same area. Applications are no longer accepted by mail. All applicants are included in the antlerless deer permit .drawing, if thoge permits are approved for the particular area. Successful applicants who apply at tax collectors' of- fices or license agents will receive their recreational use permit from the sales clerk once it is paid for. Success- ful hunters who apply on-line using a credit card will be mailed their permit within seven to 10, days. WHO: FWC WHAT: bonus permits available 'for recreational use in four locations WHEN: beginning at 10 a.m. (EDT), Thursday. Sept. 14 .: ,:WHERE: on-line at ww w.wildlifelicense.com FWC regional offices, any license agent or local tax collec- tor's office COST: $200, $275 or $325 CONTACT: 850-488-3641, MyFWC.com/hunting un- der "Limited Entry Hunts" Farm to Fuel Summit a major success Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reports the huge attendance at the Farm to Fuel Sum- mit in Orlando is indicative of the great interest in agri- culture's leading role in the development of alternative fuels. More than 300 people from 10 states and Brazil participated in the summit, which fostered a dialogue. on'how to achieve the goal of reducing the United States' dependence on foreign cil and expand the mar- ket for Florida's crops. A broad coalition of industry, academic and govern- ment leaders, including federal, state and local repre- sentatives, examined the opportunities for Florida to become a leading alternative fuel producer. Currently, most ethanol production in the United States is made from corn. However, new and emerging technologies- some of which are beitg developed by Florida univer- sities-will enable production of ethanol and other al- ternative fuels from many of the crops giown in Flori- da. These technologies will also facilitate the use of hurricane debris as a fuel source. I I I I 13 I I I I FURNITURE SHOWPLACE Wholesale Sleep Distributors US 90 West (Next To 84 Lumber) Lake City, 386-752-9303! "I have long believed that Florida agriculture could play a major part in meeting our nation's fuel supply," Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commis- sioner Charles H. Bronson said. "Clearly, the over- whelming number of people who have come to this summit because they believe it as well and want to do what is necessary to achieve these goals." Dr. Gale Buchanan,,US Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education and Econom- ics, told the crowd he believes biofuel development from agriculture will impact the agriculture industry more than any other development over the past 150 years. Speakers at the two-day summit included represen- tatives from the US Department of Energy, USDA, Uni- versity of Florida, General Motors, the petroleum in- dustry and agriculture. They all agreed that the poten- tial for alternative fuel development in Florida is un- limited. Brorin-on encourages .participants to build upon the new relationships the summit established among all these diverse entities. * "I am pleased to bring together the various segments that will make this a reality, providing a renewable source of energy from-Florida grown products, giving farmers an additional use for their crops and providing economic development opportunities," Bronson stated. Keaton Beach Fishing Report Sept. 8 -9 Trout fishing was good in advance of the full moon over the holiday weekend as evidenced by my trip, Monday with Joel Humphrey, his moth- er, Brenda Humphrey and his sister, Meredith Hilley of Valdosta, Ga. who caught a limit of 20 trout with three over 20 inches long. We fished live pinfish under 2.5 inch Cajun Thunders in 5 5.5. feet of water. We fished just over four hours; from 8 a.m. 'til just after noon. Dick Pollock and Larry Carlton of Carrolton, Ga. with Raymond Newton and Jimmy Lawson of Forsyth, Ga. with Ralph Pipin ad Bill Starr of Freeport Florida fished Aug. 29 -31 of last week and had 90 trout ( three day's of limits) on Berkley Gulp in 7 8 feet of water. No offshore report this week. I I I I 0 cLI. 4 I I $ SSUWANNEE DEMOCRAT/LIVE OAK WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13,20Q06 PAGF AR i pine trees also serve as homes for snakes, flying squirrels and other woodpeckers. The disappearance of RCW's and their cavities would cause more than four dozen other wildlife species to suffer greatly and possibly disappear themselves. Scientists can use a keystone species as an indicator of environmental health. Protecting keystone species is now becoming a priority for preserving wildlife diversity. Some conservationists suggest that by using the Endan- gered Species Act to protect keystone species, other de- .pendent species will also benefit. Because of the important roles these keystone species have in maintaining ecosys- tem integrity, targeting them for protection and conserva- tion provides excellent opportunities to maintain or re- store whole ecosystems. As we learn more about our planet, we are discovering fascinating connections about the world around us. Yet, this is really no secret. The naturalist John Muir said it best over one hundred years ago: "as soon as we take one thing by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the uni- verse." If society cannot protect its keystone species, then the rest of the animal kingdom might collapse, just like a broken arch.