Ecological Records on Eglin AFB Reservation -- the First Year.

In conjunction with the Air Force program of testing defoliation spray equipment on the Eglin AFB Reservation, Florida, this project was initiated to determine the effects of the test program on the biota of the test area. Observations conducted as part of the present project show that changes have been induced in the vascular flora, but that they are not extensive, either in terms of distance from the test area, or in duration, or in magnitude of effect. No species can be demonstrated to be reduced in numbers near the test area, although certain weedy species can be shown to increase in numbers near the area following the temporary defoliation and opening of the forest canopy. Expansion of the project is suggested in the direction of monitoring of population levels in the streams draining the test area and in the adjacent waters. A preliminary inventory is provided of the vascular flora of the Eglin Reservation, encompassing 421 species in 89 families. Author