OUTLINE FOR TREE ISLAND CHAPTER

Title: Paleoecology and Geochemistry of Two Tree Islands from the
Everglades, Water Conservation Area 3

Authors: Holmes, Orem, Willard, others -- order up in the air

# Abstract

# Introduction

Definition of tree island

Role of tree islands in the Everglades ecosystem

Recent threat to tree islands

Need for paleoecological studies

Need for understanding geochemistry of tree islands

Previous studies (not much out there)

# Sampling Area

General discussion of tree islands in WCA 3 (*[Fig. 1 - Map of WCA 3
showing tree islands]{.underline}*)

Description of Nuthouse Tree Island (*[Fig. 2 - Map showing coring
sites]{.underline}*; *[Table 1 -- description/coordinates]{.underline}*)

> Description of Gumbo Limbo Tree Island (*[Fig. 2 - Map showing coring
> sites]{.underline}*; *[Table 1 --
> description/coordinates]{.underline}*)

# Sampling Methods

Coring methods

Sediment sectioning and handling

Porewater extraction

# Analytical Methods (*[Table 2 -- description and analytical reproducibility of methods]{.underline}*)

Dating methods

^210^Pb

Radiocarbon

Dry Bulk Density

Pollen Analysis

Sediment Geochemistry

mineral matter

carbonate

C,H,N,O,S

Total P

Porewater Geochemistry

pH, alkalinity

> nutrients
>
> sulfide
>
> conductivity, salinity, TDS

# Age Dating and Sediment Accumulation on Study Tree islands

> ^210^Pb downcore profiles and radiometric modeling for age dating
> (*[Figs. 3 & 4 -- ^210^Pb profiles from Nuthohuse and Gumbo Limbo,
> respectively]{.underline}*)

Radiocarbon dating of sediments (*[Table 3 -- radiocarbon ages from
Nuthouse and Gumbo Limbo]{.underline}*)

# Paleoecology of Study Tree islands

Downcore pollen assemblages from Gumbo Limbo and Nuthouse Tree Islands
(*[Figs. 5 & 6]{.underline}*)

Interpretation of vegetational history of Gumbo Limbo and Nuthouse Tree
Islands; head vs. marsh vs. tail

# Geochemistry of Study Tree islands

Sediment Geochemistry

Downcore profiles of chemical constituents at Nuthouse and Gumbo Limbo
(*[Figs. 7 & 8]{.underline}*)

Accumulation Rates of Chemical constiuents (*[Fig. 9]{.underline}*)

Comparison of concentrations, profiles, accumulation rates: head vs
marsh vs tail

Porewater Geochemistry (Nuthouse Island only)

Downcore profiles (*[Fig. 10]{.underline}*)

Comparison of concentrations and profiles: head vs. marsh

Discussion of results with respect to geochemistry of marsh areas

# Conclusions

> Integration of paleoecological, geochemical, and geochronological data
> into model of tree island formation and history

Results in context of whole Everglades ecosystem

Results in context of previous work on tree islands

Suggestions for future work

# Acknowledgments

Need to thank Fred Sklar, Sue Newman, SFWMD for logistics, Lorraine
Heisler and Tim Towles, and Florida Fish and Game Commission; Inatures
Program for funding.

# References

# Tables

Table 1. Study site coordinates and general descriptors

Table 2. Geochemical methods

Table 3. Radiocarbon Ages

# Figures

Fig. 1. Map of the northern Everglades with emphasis on WCA 3 showing
tree islands

Fig. 2. Maps of Nuthouse and Gumbo Limbo Tree Islands showing coring
sites

Fig. 3. ^210^Pb profiles from Nuthouse Tree Island

Fig. 4. ^210^Pb profiles from Gumbo Limbo Tree Island

Fig. 5. Pollen Assemblages from Nuthouse Tree Island

Fig. 6. Pollen Assemblages from Gumbo Limbo Tree Island

Fig. 7. Downcore profiles of sediment geochemistry from Nuthouse Tree
Island

Fig. 8. Downcore profiles of sediment geochemistry from Gumbo Limbo Tree
Island

Fig. 9. Accumulation rates of elements at Nuthouse and Gumbo Limbo Tree
Islands

Fig. 10. Downcore profiles of porewater at Nuthouse Tree Island Head and
Marsh sites.