Hydrologic processes on tree islands in the Everglades (Florida, USA): tracking the effects of tree establishment and growth

Authors

Pamela L. Sullivan, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International UniversityFollow
René M. Price, Southeast Environmental Research Center and Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International UniversityFollow
Michael S. Ross, Southeast Environmental Research Center and Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International UniversityFollow
Leonard J. Scinto, Southeast Environmental Research Center and Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International UniversityFollow
Susana L. Stoffella, Southeastern Environmental Research Center, Florida International UnivesityFollow
Eric Cline, South Florida Water Management DistrictFollow
Thomas W. Dreschel, South Florida Water Management DistrictFollow
Fred H. Sklar, South Florida Water Management DistrictFollow

Abstract

The hydrodynamics of tree islands during the growth of newly planted trees has been found to be influenced by both vegetation biomass and geologic conditions. From July 2007 through June 2009, groundwater and surface-water levels were monitored on eight recently planted tree islands at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) facility in Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. Over the 2-year study, stand development coincided with the development of a water-table depression in the center of each of the islands that was bounded by a hydraulic divide along the edges. The water-table depression was greater in islands composed of limestone as compared to those composed of peat. The findings of this study suggest that groundwater evapotranspiration by trees on tree islands creates complex hydrologic interactions between the shallow groundwater in tree islands and the surrounding surface water and groundwater bodies.

Comments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Sullivan, P., R.M. Price, M.S. Ross, L.J. Scinto, S. Stoffella, E. Cline, T.W. Dreschel, F.H. Sklar. 2011. Hydrologic processes on tree islands in the Everglades (Florida, USA): tracking the effects of tree establishment and growth. Hydrogeology Journal 19(2): 367-378.