Effects of Site Preparation on Dry Prairie Vegetation in South Florida

Abstract

Abstract This report assesses changes in native vegetation in a fertilized experiment designed to compare effects of disking versus disking and bedding on Eucalyptus seedling establishment. Fertilization and site preparation eliminated shrubs and substantially altered herbaceous composition and production. Sampling between tree rows indicated that a herbaceous community previously dominated by pineland threeawn was converted by site preparation and fertilization to one dominated by panicums, and herbage was effectively doubled. Bobwhite food plants increased nearly 60-fold, while important cattle forage increased 15-fold. Significant biomass differences were found within tree rows. First year yields were estimated to be 855 pounds per acre in rows disked only, and 115 pounds per acre in rows disked and bedded. The second year showed increases: nearly 40 percent between rows, 63 percent in disked rows, and 200 percent in disked and bedded rows.