Center for Landscape Conservation & Ecology

Program Update

Sustainable LandscapesNatural Resource Summit

October 29-30, 2008

Dr. Amy ShoberUF/IFAS Gulf Coast REC

Mission of the CLCE

To protect and preserve Florida’s natural resources and quality of life through interdisciplinary research, education, and outreach. Areas of concern include water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, landscape design practices, and sustainable resource use.

CLCE Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Steve ArthursAssistant ProfessorEntomology and

Nematology

Using Insect Pathogens as Bioinsecticides

Beauveria infected aphid (Koppert Biol. Systems)Hirsutella infected Asian citrus psyllid (Drion Boucias)

Table 1. Invasive insects considered targets for insect pathogensHOMOPTERA

Diaspididae. Poliaspis cycad scale

Kerriidae. Lobate lac scale,

Pseudococcidae. Pink hibiscus mealybug

Psyllidae. Asian citrus psyllid

Aleyrodidae. Fig whitefly

Aphididae. Brown citrus aphid

THYSANOPTERA

Thripidae. Chili thrips

Phlaeothripidae. Weeping fig thrips

COLEOPTERA

Curculionidae. Diaprepes root weevil

Oleander aphids with ‘mummies’

Example Illustrated: Asclepias (milkweed) as a banker to control aphids on hibiscus

Using Banker Plants to Reduce Insecticide Use

Using Insect Predators to Reduce Insecticide use

Amblyseius sp.

Example: the newly discovered predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is an effective predator of

chili thrips.

CLCE Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Paul Monaghan

Assistant Professor

Agricultural Education & Communication

Promoting Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Lakewood Ranch

(FNGLA Enhancement Award)

FL-Friendly Landscaping in Lakewood Ranch

• Relies on community advisory board for social marketing research and dissemination

• Conduct research on perceived benefits and barriers to Florida Friendly landscaping

• Implement demonstration gardens on donated properties

• Measure changes in attitudes and behaviors

CLCE Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Gail HansenAssistant

ProfessorLandscape Design

Sustainable Landscape Construction & Materials

Fine Gardening Nov/Dec pg 41

Small Garden 2006 pg 211

• Joint project with Pinellas County Extension Office- Sustainable Living Program

• Focus is on hardscape materials and techniques such as: • pervious pavers• manufactured lumber • recycled materials • non-toxic paints and

stains• stormwater harvesting

techniques

Landscape Perceptions & Behaviors

• In cooperation with University of Central Florida, Stormwater Management Academy, Leesa Souto, PI

• Purpose: ─ Understand socially

acceptable landscape design elements and plants for stormwater management and water protection.

─ Determine what influences people to change their landscape

Rivendell

Willowbend

Gail Hansen, MLA, PhD, Environmental Horticulture, UFLandscape Design

CLCE Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Chris Martinez

Assistant Professor

Agricultural & Biological Engineering

Using Weather and Climate Forecasts in Water Resource

Management• Diverse Sources:

– 13 Regional Wellfields– Surface waters– 15 billion gallons of off-

line reservoir storage– Desalination plant (25

MGD)• Use of forecasts to

make better allocation decisions and minimize environmental impact

A Design Tool to Evaluate and Size Rain Barrels for the Florida

Landscape• How big should it be for my

landscape?• How often might supplemental

water be needed? How much?

CLCE Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Geoff DennyAssistant

ProfessorEnvironmental

Horticulture

Dr. Amy ShoberAssistant

ProfessorSoil & Water

Science

Nitrogen Fertilization of Landscape Plants

Objectives:1. To determine fertilizer requirements of

a range of common landscape plants (i,.e., warm & cool season annuals, perennials, vines, groundcovers, and shrubs)

2. Verify current UF/IFAS fertilization recommendations

Experimental Design:· 5 rates of N fertilizer

0, 2, 4, 6, & 12 Lbs / 1000 ft2

· Slow-release N applied every 6 weeks

Nitrogen Fertilization of Landscape Plants

Results:Finishing warm season annual evaluation

currently.For some spp., recommendations may be too low.

Impacts:More accurate fertilizer recommendationsGrouping of plants with similar fertilizer need

Salvia – 2 lbs N

Salvia – 12 lbs N

Vinca – 12 lbs N

Lantana – 0 lbs N

CLCE Affiliate Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Ed GilmanProfessorEnvironmental

Horticulture

Influence of Peripheral Root Pruning on Circling

Roots

Periphery removed when shifted

Periphery not removed when shifted

CLCE Affiliate Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Michael Dukes

Associate Professor

Agricultural & Biological Engineering

Smart Irrigation Controllers

Compare irrigation applied & turf quality on SMS, ET & RS controlled irrigation to time clock irrigation.

Soil moisture controllers (SMS)

Evapotranspiration (ET) based controllers

Rain sensors (RS)

Smart Irrigation Controller Irrigation Reduction Potential

Method Location Irrigation Savings

Weather Funding agency

Time clock adjustment w/ rain sensor

Homes in Central Fla.

30% Normal to rainy SJRWMD

Rain sensorPlots in Gainesville

34% Normal to rainy SWFWMD

15% Dry

Soil moisture sensor control

Plots in Gainesville

70-90% Normal to rainy

SWFWMDUp to 40% Dry

Homes in Pinellas Co.

Up to 70% Dry (1 d/wk)

ET controllers

Plots in Hillsborough Co.

Up to 60% ~Normal Hillsborough Co./FDACSUp to 40% Dry

CLCE Affiliate Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Sydney Park-Brown

Associate Professor

Environmental Horticulture

Low Maintenance Rose Research

• Evaluation of 12 rose varieties – Knock-Out, Home

Run, 8 antiques• Low-maintenance

regime– No pruning– No pesticides– Minimal drip

irrigation