1. Using Miami-Dade’s Endemic Species to Teach Science Based on “Getting to Know Florida’s Pine Rockland Critters” Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Written by: M. Belén Valladares Illustrated by: Kim Heise Jim Teas, Jorge Mas Canosa Middle

2. One key to reaching science students is to show relevance to their lives Some of the species mentioned here live only in South Florida, some only in Miami-Dade County, and some only in county pine rocklands. The handout (coloring book) has NGSSS standards and a teacher guide with objectives, questions and ideas for projects –Plant and animal interactions –Impact human activities and natural events on the environment –How the environment changes allow some individuals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.

3. What is a Pine Rockland? An ecosystem unique to south Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba Supports very specialized inhabitants.

4. What is a Pine Rockland? The substrate in Florida’s pine rocklands is mostly limestone rock (very little soil) Formed from ancient seafloor formed over millennia Made up of calcium carbonate Biome includes slash pine (Pinus ellioti var. densa) and a multitude of animals and plants

5. What is a Pine Rockland? Source: http://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/kidsyouth/pine-rocklands.htm Pine rockland with slash pines and saw palmettos

6. What is a Pine Rockland? Oolitic limestone has naturally occurring crevices, like Swiss cheese Ideal homes for small creatures like the tiny Rim Rock crowned snake Status: Less than 2% of original 18,000 acres remain (outside of Everglades National Park) Notes: habitat

7. A Flaming Environment Fire an essential part of pine rockland habitats. Tree canopy is thinned out every few years by naturally occurring fires. After fire, sunlight penetrates better through the scant canopy Allows seedling pine trees and plants to grow in the lower levels. Plants are adapted to survive fire Branches of slash pines are very high Hard for flames to reach them. Note: habitat, succession, climax community

8. A Flaming Environment Sparse canopy benefits inhabitants Florida bonneted bat able to fly through it without crashing into big branches. Migrating birds find food and shelter on journeys in spring and fall. Note: habitat

9. A Flaming Environment Florida ground zero for non-native plants Called invasive plants, have the tendency to crowd out native species. Fire suppresses invasive vegetation Notes: invasive species, succession

10. A Flaming Environment Pine rockland fires occur naturally when lightning strikes the area Resource managers now implement controlled fires to keep them healthy. Planned fires are called “prescribed burns.” Difficult to administer because of public perception and smoke management

11. A Flaming Environment Reasons for prescribed burns –Reduce wildfire danger –Improve wildlife habitat –Manage endangered, fire-dependent plants –Manage competing vegetation –Prepare sites for seedling and planting –Enhance appearance –Perpetuate fire-dependent plants and animals Source “Keepers of the Flame” poster Miami-Dade Parks, Miami-Dade Department of Environmental Management

12. Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak Butterfly

13. Status: endangered (federal) Strymon acis bartrami Very rare, 2.5 cm in length This butterfly never flies too far away from its home Name comes from Bartram family, who wrote about the plants and animals observed through the family’s travels.

14. Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak Butterfly Host plant is the pineland croton (Croton linearis). Grows on clearings on the rocky soils of southeast Florida and the Florida Keys. Pineland crotons need fire to keep their space clear for healthy development.

15. Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak Butterfly Larva on pineland croton NPS photo by Jimi Sadle

16. Florida Bonneted Bat

17. Status: endangered (federal) Eumops floridanus Name comes from big ears that resemble a bonnet or hat. Florida’s largest bat and needs a lot of space to roam. Pine rockland canopy makes the perfect obstacle-free flying space Bonneted bats eat weight in bugs every night.

18. Florida Bonneted Bat Live in last remaining pine rocklands, mangrove forests, and hardwood swamps in southeastern and southwestern Florida. Very rare and difficult to see, but Zoo Miami has reported recording their sounds in the zoo and in the pine rocklands next to the zoo. High-pitched “chirps” used for echo- location can be heard by humans http://www.miamibatsquad.com/Miami_Bat_Squad/FBB_Sounds_files/Eumops%20Echo.mp3

19. Florida Bonneted Bat Coral Gables residents have reported seeing and hearing them in the large banyan trees around the Granada golf course Interested parties can contact the Miami bat squad if you wish to participate. http://www.MiamiBatSquad.com. http://www.MiamiBatSquad.com A baby Bonneted bat was rescued and named 'Bruce'. He is doing well at the Zoo Miami veterinary hospital. You Tube video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q16tfhp_Kk4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q16tfhp_Kk4

20. Atala Butterfly

21. Status: C2, candidate for federal protection. Eumaeus atala Wings black, speckled with iridescent blue and have bright orange spot to match their striking bright orange abdomen. Males are either Caribbean blue or teal green on the inner fore and hindwings and females are always royal blue on the upper wing only. Atala caterpillar red with rows of yellow spots. Note: Sexual dimorphism

22. Atala Butterfly Host plant is coontie (Zamia integrifolia) The drought and moderately salt-tolerant coontie is the only native host plant for the Coontie’s natural toxins make the caterpillar poisonous to predators Predators avoid brightly colored larvae Note: Mimicry

23. Atala Butterfly Atala butterfly larvae Sandy Koi

24. Atala Butterfly Atalas are imperiled and live in Pine Rocklands Were once thought to be extinct. People can help the Atala survive by planting coonties and other native plants that provide food and shelter.

25. Atala Butterfly Atala butterfly host plant – Coontie Sandy Koi

26. Miami Tiger Beetle

27. Status: Pending endangered (federal) Cicindela floridana Miami tiger beetles disappeared for over 70 years In 2007, rediscovered by scientists Richmond Pine Rocklands of Miami, Florida.

28. Miami Tiger Beetle Fierce predators, hence the name “tiger.” Larvae live in tiny burrows in the sunny and sandy spots found in pine rocklands. Jump out at lighting speed to attack prey Devour prey in a split second with their strong powerful jaws.

29. Miami Tiger Beetle Seasonal, only be seen from May through October. Hide out in their small, secluded shelters the rest of the year. Adult coloration (iridescent green) helps them blend in with their pine rockland habitat.

30. Miami Tiger Beetle 38 were spotted in 2014 Estimate is fewer than 100 left alive today. Only known habitat: Richmond Pine Rocklands in Miami. Note: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held a hearing in Miami on January 16, 2016 to hear public comment on a proposed listing of the Miami Tiger Beetle as endangered Note: endangered species

31. Richmond Pine Rocklands (Google)

32. You can watch a tiger beetle YouTube video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Aoe3DiFdA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Aoe3DiFdA

33. Rim Rock Crowned Snake

34. Very rare species of snake found only in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Tantilla oolitica 10 inch (25 cm) long snake named after the Miami Rim Rock formation. Black head with a tan to light brown body. It is not known how many remain.

35. Florida Leafwing Butterfly

36. Status: Endangered (federal) Anaea troglodyta floridalis Closed wings look like dried leaves on the outside Bright red-orange-brown colors on the inside. Only habitat pine rocklands remaining inside Everglades National Park. Its host plant is the pineland croton (Croton linearis). Note: camouflage

37. Deltoid spurge http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Chamaesyce_deltoidea_ssp_deltoidea.pdf Gill Nelson

38. Deltoid spurge Status: endangered (federal) Euphorbia deltoidea ssp. deltoidea Common name deltoid spurge Flowering plant endemic to Miami-Dade County Notes: endemic, endangered species Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_deltoideahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euphorbia_deltoidea

39. Small’s milkpea http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Galactia_smallii.pdf http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Galactia_smallii.pdf Gill Nelson

40. Small’s milkpea Status: endangered (federal) Galactia smallii is a rare species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Small's milk pea. Known only from a few small patches of remaining habitat in Miami-Dade County. Threatened by habitat destruction and inadequate management Note: habitat destruction Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactia_smalliihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactia_smallii

41. Crenulate lead-plant http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Amorpha_herbacea_var_crenulata.pdf http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Amorpha_herbacea_var_crenulata.pdf Billy B. Boothe

42. Crenulate lead-plant Status: critically endangered (federal) Amorpha crenulata is restricted to pine rockland in Miami-Dade County No more than five subpopulations are currently present in the distribution range Habitat severely fragmented and isolated due to development of the area Fire suppression measures, invasion by exotic plant species, and drainage threaten the survival of this species Source: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19893100/0http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19893100/0

43. Carter’s small-flowered flax http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Linum_carteri.pdf Billy B. Boothe

44. Carter’s small-flowered flax Status: Endangered (federal) Linum carteri var. carteri Discovered in the early 20th century in the Miami area, Grows in pine rockland habitat. An annual herb with distinctive, half-inch-wide flowers with five yellow-orange petals. Threats include improper fire management and nonnative species invasion The plant has declined to only nine known occurrences. Note: nonnative species Source: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/plants/Carters_small-flowered_flax/http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/plants/Carters_small-flowered_flax/

45. Florida brickell-bush http://www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Brickellia_mosieri.pdf Gill Nelson

46. Florida brickell-bush Status: endangered (federal) Brickellia mosieri is found exclusively in pine rockland on Miami Rock Ridge on the edges of Everglades National Park. 1 and 3.5 feet tall, grows in low-nutrient sand, marl and organic material found in limestone crevices. Threats: commercial and agricultural development that alter its habitat Note: human interaction Source: http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/plants/Florida_brickell-bush/http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/plants/Florida_brickell-bush/

47. Objectives 1. Learn about native flora and fauna of the Pine Rocklands/Everglades/South Florida. 2. Understand the role of fire in the life of the Pine Rocklands ecosystem 3. Understand the effect people have on the environment 4. Understand the importance of protecting the Pine Rocklands

48. Questions 1. Name three animals that make the Pine Rocklands their home. 2. Choose a Pine Rocklands animal. Describe its diet and adaptations it has made to survive. 3. Of what material is the soil in the Pine Rocklands composed? 4. Why are fires necessary to the Pine Rocklands? 5. What effect have humans had on the Pine Rocklands?

49. Questions 6. Fires are necessary to the Pine Rocklands. Can you think of other usually destructive forces are necessary to the environment? 7. Compare the Pine Rocklands with another ecosystem you have studied. How are they alike and different? 8. Do you agree that it is important to save the Pine Rocklands? Why or why not? 9. What more do you think could be done to save the Pine Rocklands?

50. Projects 1. Visit the Pine Rocklands or research the subject further online. Write a speech about your experience. 2. Make a graph showing the change in populations of different animals in the Pine Rocklands. 3. Make a drawing or collage representing the plants and animals found in the Pine Rocklands. 4. Act out a scene of someone protesting development of the Pine Rocklands.

51. Projects 5. Write a song about the Pine Rocklands or find music that you think represents the Pine Rocklands. 6. Write a letter to a government official, asking them to help the Pine Rocklands. 7. Group Project: Write and act out a Public Service Announcement about saving the Pine Rocklands. You can film it if you want and send it to the Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition for their YouTube channel. 8. Plant coonties or crotons in your schoolyard or garden.

52. SC.2.L.17.2 Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Big Idea: Interdependence - A. Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy their basic needs. B. Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment. C. Energy flows from the sun through producers to consumers. Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information

53. SC.3.L.17.2 Recognize that plants use energy from the Sun, air, and water to make their own food. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Big Idea: Interdependence - A. Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy their basic needs. B. Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment. C. Energy flows from the sun through producers to consumers. Content Complexity Rating: Level 1: Recall - More Information

54. SC.4.L.17.4 Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Big Idea: Interdependence - A. Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy their basic needs. B. Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment. C. Energy flows from the sun through producers to consumers. Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information

55. SC.5.E.7.5 Recognize that some of the weather-related differences, such as temperature and humidity, are found among different environments, such as swamps, deserts, and mountains. Body of Knowledge: Earth and Space Science Big Idea: Earth Systems and Patterns Humans continue to explore the interactions among water, air, and land. Air and water are in constant motion that results in changing conditions that can be observed over time. Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts - More Information

56. SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes, differences between individuals allow some plants and animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move to new locations. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Big Idea: Diversity and Evolution of Living Organisms A. Earth is home to a great diversity of living things, but changes in the environment can affect their survival. B. Individuals of the same kind often differ in their characteristics and sometimes the differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing. Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information

57. SC.7.L.17.3 Describe and investigate various limiting factors in the local ecosystem and their impact on native populations, including food, shelter, water, space, disease, parasitism, predation, and nesting sites. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Big Idea: Interdependence A. Plants and animals, including humans, interact with and depend upon each other and their environment to satisfy their basic needs. B. Both human activities and natural events can have major impacts on the environment. C. Energy flows from the sun through producers to consumers. Content Complexity Rating: Level 3: Strategic Thinking & Complex Reasoning - More Information

58. SC.912.L.17.4 Describe changes in ecosystems resulting from seasonal variations, climate change and succession. Body of Knowledge: Life Science Standard: Interdependence A. The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment. B. Energy and nutrients move within and between biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems via physical, chemical and biological processes. C. Human activities and natural events can have profound effects on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processes. Content Complexity Rating: Level 2: Basic Application of Skills & Concepts

59. Remarks/Examples Introduce the impacts of invasive species, such as Brazilian pepper, Cuban anole, Kudzu, Australian pine, non-native pets released into wild (Burmese python). Ocean pollution resulting from discharge of sewage, toxic chemicals, manufacturing wastes, fertilizers, soaps, detergents, runoff and insecticides Population growth causes consumption of limited resources and land use expansion to accommodate for more people; animal extinction (endangered and threatened species).

60. Resources Pine Rockland Preservation http://zoomiamiconservation.com/project/pine-rockland-restoration/ The Pine Rockland Initiative Program http://regionalconservation.org/ircs/pdf/publications/2012_2.pdf Natives for your Neighborhood http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantlist.asp IUCN Red List of Threatened Species http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Endangered Species List www.fws.gov/endangered/ Imperiled Species www.myfwc.com/imperiledspecies/ Florida Natural Areas Inventory - Pine Rockland http://fnai.org/PDF/NC/Pine_Rockland_Final_2010.pdf Project Noah http://www.projectnoah.org/

61. Pine Rockland Organisms OrganismScientific name Slash pinePinus ellioti var. densa Bartram’s Scrub-Hairstreak Butterfly Strymon acis bartrami Florida bonneted batEumops floridanus Atala butterflyEumaeus atala CoontieZamia integrifolia Miami Tiger BeetleCicindela floridana Rim rock crowned snakeTantilla oolitica Florida leafwing butterflyAnaea troglodyta floridalis Deltoid spurgeEuphorbia deltoidea ssp. deltoidea Small’s milk peaGalactia smallii Crenutale lead plantAmorpha crenulata Carter’s small-flowered flaxLinum carteri var. carteri Florida brickell-bushBrickellia mosieri

62. PSA for the Miami Tiger Beetle “These special critters have no other place to call home, let’s protect these valuable pine rocklands.” Jaclyn Lopez, Florida Director, Center for Biological Diversity

63. PSA for the Miami Tiger Beetle - M. Belen Valladares, Vice-President, Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition “Recently someone asked me ‘why are you focusing so much effort on such a small piece of land?, I know it's important but there's so much more to do…’ Because this is a modern day Noah's ark. Because conservation of the species is important, they are becoming extinct on a daily basis and this place is home to species that only live there and are a lot more endangered than many of the animals we hear about. Because it’s the last significant piece of pine rocklands in Florida.

64. PSA for the Miami Tiger Beetle Because this place is like an island within Florida that holds a very different and unique animals and plants. It is different than the rest of Florida and not found anywhere else. (If you are familiar with the Tepuys in Venezuela, it's like that). Salt water intrusion in the Florida Keys is squeezing species into smaller and smaller spaces and some day the Keys will not be a suitable place for its life as we know it and this will be a real lifeboat habitat for some species that will have to survive only here. Because there is a critter with the name "Miami Tiger Beetle" and only 38 were found in the last survey and only 100 are believed to be alive. Why in the world would you want to diminish its chances of survival?

65. PSA for the Miami Tiger Beetle “My generation has the world on its shoulders. We are dealing with the worst environmental problems today that humanity has ever seen. Rapid extinction of species is just one of these problems. It is estimated that 200 species go extinct every day. How can I stand by while a habitat in my backyard is on the brink of extinction? My generation is also becoming increasingly aware of social and environmental injustices. Millennials protect the underdogs. That is why as a young person today, I stand for the Pine Rocklands to exist for tomorrow.” - Anya Contreras Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition Member and a millennial

66. Adapted from materials and used with permission of Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition www.MiamiPineRocklandsCoalition.org Coloring book available from: http://www.miamipinerocklandscoalition.org/mobile/pine-rockland-critters.html ® Copyright 2015 by Miami Pine Rocklands Coalition. All rights reserved.