Odum Cypress Dome

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Odum Cypress Dome
Wetlands Club University of Florida January 2005
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Background

• HT Odum founded the University of Floridas
  Center for Wetlands in 1973 for the purpose of
  both basic ecological research on wetlands and
  for the study of green engineering, using
  wetlands as a tool in managing the environmental
  needs of society.
• The Center for Wetlands has been the birthplace
  of many of todays wetland scientists, with a
  particular emphasis on research in aquatic
  ecosystems.
• Prior to his death, HT donated 15 acres to the
  University of Florida.

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Aerial Photograph of Donated Property
This property includes a 6 acre pond cypress
dome. His wish was that the land be used for
education and research.
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Location
The donated property is located near Hawthorne,
east of Gainesville 1.5 miles east of Grove
Park and 0.5 miles north of Highway 20
The Odum Cypress Dome
Property Boundary
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Importance of Cypress Domes

• Wildlife habitat
• Birds, large mammals, tree frogs, toads, and
  salamanders
• Recreation
• Educate the public on benefits of wetlands
• Wastewater recycling (improve water quality)
• Remove nitrogen and phosphorus from secondarily
  treated wastewater
• Flood control and groundwater recharge

Adapted from Duryea, M.L. and L.A. Hermansen.
Circular 1186 Univ. of Florida Cooperative
Extension Service, IFAS. Cypress Floridas
Majestic and Beneficial Wetlands Tree.
http//www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/pubtxt/cir1186.h
tm.
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Educational Importance Plants

• HTs dome is an excellent example of a low
  nutrient cypress ecosystem found throughout the
  pine flatwoods of north central Florida.

Sundew plants and pitcher plants photographed in
the Odum dome
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Educational Importance- Hydrology
Biogeochemistry
The cypress dome maintains a standing pool of
water whose depth fluctuates seasonally.
Continuously flooded conditions offer a
year-round glimpse of the chemical and biological
cycles that are important to wetland
preservation.
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Recent Events Fall/Winter 2003
Cypress dome adopted
Responsibilities
by UF Wetlands Club

• Establish an ecologically-friendly trail and
  boardwalk
• Install educational signs around the property to
  provide information to visitors
• Perform long term maintenance and care of
  property and boardwalk

By adopting the property and cypress dome, HTs
gift was added to the University of Florida
Natural Area Teaching Laboratory (NATL) so that
classes may use the site to enhance students
learning experiences.
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Wetlands Club Actions for Preservation (2004
2005)

• Recorded preliminary measurements for boardwalk
  design
• Cleared trail for monument commerating HT Odum
• Developed cost estimate for boardwalk supplies
  and construction

• Currently
• Increasing public awareness to offset boardwalk
  costs
• Hosting ceremony for the property dedication

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Boardwalk Cost Estimate
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Goals

• To insure
• The preservation and protection of the property
  and dome
• That the property will be used for Odums
  intended purposes
• Accomplished by
• Inclusion as part of off-campus extension (NATL)
• Advertisement on NATL website
• Encouragement of faculty and students to use dome
• for research and education

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Thanks for your time and consideration.