Investigations of Early Plant Succession on Abadoned Farmlands in Everglades National Park
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Material Information

Title:
Investigations of Early Plant Succession on Abadoned Farmlands in Everglades National Park Report T-644
Creator:
South Florida Natural Resources Center/South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park
Lloyd L. Loope
Vicki L. Dunevitz
Place of Publication:
Homestead
Florida
Publisher:
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Publication Date:

Notes

Abstract:
Over 4000 ha within the present boundaries of Everglades National Park have been farmed at one time or another during the past 60 years. During the 1920's through 19401s, farming was carried out in marl prairies along the Ingraham Highway--in the vicinity of Pine Island, Royal Palm State Park, and westward toward Flamingo. The Act of May 30, 1934 which provided for the establishment of Everglades National Park omitted an extensive area of private land from the park. Since this area was virtually surrounded by park land, it came to be known as the "Hole-inthe-Donut. An Act of July 2, 1958, altered park boundaries to include the "Donut and authorized purchase of private inholdings within park boundaries. Meanwhile, the technology of rockplowing had become available. During the 1950's and early 1960s, an area of approximately 2000 hectares including pinelands and marl glades was rockplowed, breaking up the limestone bedrock to create a llsoilll suitable for growing crops, especially tomatoes. At this time, the formerly farmed marl lands which had not been rockplowed were abandoned. In 1970, as a result of concerns regarding impacts caused by the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and other activities associated with farming upon the resources of one of the prime regions of Everglades National Park in terms of visitor use and biological diversity, Congress authorized funds for purchase of the remaining 2000 ha of private land of the Hole-in-the-Donut. Farming was gradually eliminated within three years after land was acquired by the goverhment. The last farming in the Hole-in-the-Donut occurred in the spring of 1975. ( English )

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Holding Location:
South Florida Natural Resource Center
Rights Management:
Please contact the owning institution for licensing and permissions. It is the user's responsibility to ensure use does not violate any third party rights.
Resource Identifier:
I 29.95:T-644 ( sudoc )