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The Effects Of Fire On Spore Viability Of Lygodium Microphyllum (Old World Climbing Fern), Nicole Sebesta
The Effects Of Fire On Spore Viability Of Lygodium Microphyllum (Old World Climbing Fern), Nicole Sebesta
FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Lygodium microphyllum, native to the Old World tropics, has invaded central and southern Florida, destroying native habitats, reducing biodiversity and altering fire regimes. Prescribed fire, one of several methods used to manage L. microphyllum infestations, reduces fern biomass over large areas, but its effects on spore viability are unknown. To provide tools to evaluate whether fire-dispersed spores are viable, this research determined how heat affects spore viability. Spores were exposed to temperatures of 50°C to 300°C for durations of 5 seconds to 1 hour, then allowed to germinate on agar in petri plates. Percent germination was assayed after two …