scholarly journals Hurricanes and the Urban Forest: II. Effects on Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species

2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-112
Author(s):  
Mary Duryea ◽  
Eliana Kampf ◽  
Ramon Littell ◽  
Carlos Rodríguez-Pedraza
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Modulus Of Rupture ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Hurricane Andrew ◽  
Wind Resistance ◽  
Better Than

In 1998 when Hurricane Georges (177 km/h) crossed over the entire island of Puerto Rico, and in 2004 when Hurricanes Jeanne (193 km/h) and Charley (233 km/h) struck south Florida, U.S., we measured the impacts of these hurricanes on the urban forest composed of tropical and subtropical species. In addition, we also used previous published data for Hurricane Andrew for some analyses. The percent urban forest loss ranged from 13% for Georges to 16% for Jeanne to 18% for Charley. In Hurricanes Jeanne and Charley, palms survived significantly better than all other trees. Some of the best surviving species in Florida’s hurricanes were gumbo limbo (Bursera simarouba), sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera), strangler fig (Ficus aurea), live oak (Quercus virginiana), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), and baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). Of the species measured in Puerto Rico, the species with the highest survival and least branch damage were Santa Maria (Calophyllum calaba), Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea), schefflera (Schefflera actinophylla), and West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahogani). Losing leaves during these hurricanes had no relationship with how well trees survived. In Hurricanes Jeanne, Charley, and Georges, 3%, 4%, and 11%, respectively, of the trees that fell damaged property. Native tree species survived better than exotic species in Hurricanes Jeanne and Charley but not in Hurricane Georges. Trees growing in groups had greater survival and less branch loss in Hurricane Jeanne than those growing individually. Wood density was not related to survival or branch loss for tree species in Hurricanes Jeanne, Charley, Georges, or Andrew. Two other measurements of wood strength, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture, were related to survival and branch loss in Jeanne but not Charley. Tree species with dense crowns had greater survival and less branch loss than moderate- or open-crowned species. Tree species with decurrent growth form survived better than excurrent trees in Hurricane Jeanne with no difference in Charley. Trees with the most rooting space (>7 m2) had the lowest branch loss and the greatest survival in Hurricane Georges. A reanalysis of seven dicot species and their survival in Hurricane Andrew showed that survival for pruned trees was 73% compared with 47% for unpruned trees. A survey of 85 arborists, scientists, and urban foresters ranked species for their wind resistance. Using our results from hurricanes and incorporating results from the survey and the scientific literature, we have developed lists of relative wind resistance for tropical and subtropical tree species. These lists are presented with the caveat that no tree is completely windproof and that other factors such as soil conditions, wind intensity, cultural practices, and tree health and age also contribute to wind firmness.

scholarly journals Lagerstroemia speciosa (Pride of India).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Root System ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Virgin Islands ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Parking Lots ◽  
Lagerstroemia Speciosa ◽  
Bright Pink

Abstract L. speciosa is a tree species widely commercial for ornamental purposes and as roadside trees. This species is very appreciated in the horticulture market for its large, showy, bright pink to lavender flowers (Gilman and Watson, 1993; Randall, 2012, USDA-ARS, 2017). It is often planted in gardens, yards and parks, around parking lots, and along highways (Gilman and Watson, 1993 Orwa et al., 2009). L. speciosa has escaped from cultivation and now it can be found naturalized in waste places, disturbed sites, open grasslands, and along roadsides in a great variety of climates (Orwa et al., 2009). It has a wide spreading crown and a dense root system with the potential to alter soil conditions and inhibit the establishment of native vegetation in the understory. Currently it is listed as invasive in Belize, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Balick et al., 2000; Chacón and Saborío, 2012; Rojas-Sandoval and Acevedo-Rodríguez, 2015).

scholarly journals Selecting Southeastern Coastal Plain Tree Species for Wind Resistance

EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary L. Duryea ◽  
Eliana Kampf
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Wind Resistance ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Full Color ◽  
Southeastern Coastal Plain ◽  
Recovery Program ◽  
Relative Wind

FOR-119, a 13-page full color fact sheet by Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It presents the research and methodology that lead to lists of relative wind resistance for coastal plain tree species. Includes recommendations for selecting and establishing trees for a healthier and more wind-resistant urban forest. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2007. FOR119/FR174: Selecting Coastal Plain Species for Wind Resistance (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance

EDIS ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 (20) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary L. Duryea ◽  
Eliana Kampf
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Forest Resources ◽  
Wind Resistance ◽  
Fact Sheet ◽  
Full Color ◽  
Recovery Program ◽  
Subtropical Species ◽  
Relative Wind ◽  
Hurricane Recovery

FOR-120, a 13-page full color fact sheet by Mary L. Duryea and Eliana Kampf, is part of the Urban Forest Hurricane Recovery Program series. It presents the research and methodology that lead to lists of relative wind resistance for tropical and subtropical tree species. Includes recommendations for selecting and establishing tropical and subtropical species for a healthier and more wind-resistant urban forest. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, September 2007. FOR120/FR175: Selecting Tropical and Subtropical Tree Species for Wind Resistance (ufl.edu)

scholarly journals Hurricanes and the Urban Forest: I. Effects on Southeastern United States Coastal Plain Tree Species

2007 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-97
Author(s):  
Mary Duryea ◽  
Eliana Kampf ◽  
Ramon Littell
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Coastal Plain ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Urban Forest ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Wind Resistance ◽  
Live Oak

Several hurricanes struck Florida, U.S. in 2004 and 2005 causing widespread damage to urban and rural areas. We measured the impacts of five of these hurricanes on the urban forest and combined these results with four other hurricanes to present an assessment of wind resistance for southeastern United States coastal plain tree species. Urban forest loss was positively correlated with wind speed. Tree species demonstrating the highest survival in winds were sand live oak (Quercus geminata), American holly (Ilex opaca), southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), live oak (Quercus virginiana), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), dogwood (Cornus florida), and sabal palm (Sabal palmetto). In a statistical comparison of sand live oak, live oak, and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) survival after four panhandle hurricanes, laurel oak had significantly poorer survival than both live oak and sand live oak. Among all species, larger trees lost more branches than medium and smaller trees. Leaf loss had a positive relationship with survival; losing leaves during the hurricane meant higher survival. Trees growing in groups or clusters had greater survival than those growing as individual trees. Tree species with higher wood density had greater survival. Tree species categorized as having dense crowns lost more branches than those with moderate and open crowns; however, contrary to the literature, dense-crowned species survived best. A survey of arborists, scientists, and urban foresters ranked species for their wind resistance. Using our results from hurricane measurements and incorporating results from the survey and the scientific literature, we have developed lists of relative wind resistance for tree species in the southeastern coastal plain. These lists should be used with caution with the knowledge that no species and no tree is completely windproof. In addition, local considerations such as soil, cultural practices, tree age and health, and other urban forest conditions need to be taken into account.

Naturalized Exotic Tree Species in Puerto Rico

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Francis ◽  
Henri A. Liogier
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Exotic Tree

Naturalized Exotic Tree Species in Puerto Rico

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Francis ◽  
Henri A. Liogier
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Exotic Tree

Lived experiences of Puerto Rican university students displaced to South Florida after Hurricane Maria

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tunde Szecsi ◽  
Hasan Aydin ◽  
Debra Giambo
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
University Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Education Administration ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Community Agencies ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenology

Abstract The purpose of this study is to document the experiences, services, and programs provided to displaced university students from Puerto Rico and to offer recommendations to educational and community agencies regarding effective integration after a natural disaster. Through in-depth semi-structured interviews, this qualitative phenomenology study consisted of collecting oral histories of six displaced university students from Puerto Rico who relocated to Southwest Florida after Hurricane Maria. The analysis of the data indicated three themes, including (1) trauma after hurricane, (2) challenges and needs during relocation, and (3) conflicting feelings about the homeland and the United States. Although immediate, basic needs were met soon after relocation, in-depth, social-emotional needs, such as dealing with trauma and becoming acculturated in the new culture, remained unanswered. Recommendations are provided to higher education administration, professionals in education, and community agencies.

scholarly journals COMPARISON OF GUINEA GRASS-TROPICAL KUDZU, PARA GRASS, PANGOLA GRASS, AND ST. AUGUSTINE GRASS AS PASTURE CROPS IN THE YABUCOA VALLEY IN EASTERN PUERTO RICO

1969 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104
Author(s):  
L. Rivera-Brenes ◽  
J. I. Cabrera ◽  
L. F. Colón
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
First Year ◽  
Guinea Grass ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Main Station ◽  
Better Than

A grazing trial was carried out at Yabucoa, on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico to determine the usefulness for this purpose of several grasses and a grass-legume mixture. It followed the same pattern and procedure as those which had been performed previously at the Main Station Farm located in the northern humid section of the Island. In the trial, which lasted for 2 years, Pangola grass, Pará grass, St. Augustine grass, and a Guinea grass-tropical kudzu combination were compared as to carrying capacity and other characters to determine their pasture values. The carrying capacities of these grasses were as follows: Pangola, 1.12; Guinea-tropical kudzu, 1.42; St, Augustine, 1.23; and Para grass, 0.87 head per acre. The gross returns per acre for the first year were, $118, $137, $97, and $87, respectively. For the second year they were: $159, $179, $124, and $68, respectively. Besides the information obtained on the carrying capacity of the pastures, the results show that well-managed pastures are at least as profitable as many of the cash crops actually grown in the Island. This does not take into consideration additional soil- and water-conservation benefits which accrue from having the soil covered by a sod. Pangola and St. Augustine grasses are good pasture crops that can be used in the eastern coastal region satisfactorily. The Guinea-tropical kudzu mixture, however, is better than these grasses by themselves. The superiority of the legume-grass combination was again demonstrated by the results of this experiment. Pará grass was not well adapted for grazing in the light soil in which the experiment was planted.

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