The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Garrett Billings will present Master's research titled, THE VASCULAR FLORA OF THE WALLS OF JERICHO FOREVER WILD TRACT, JACKSON COUNTY, ALABAMA on 10/10/2023 at 3:00PM in Holt, 119. Everyone is invited to attend. 

Environmental Science

Chair: Joey Shaw

Abstract:
The vascular flora of the Walls of Jericho Forever Wild Tract, a 5,142 ha protected area in Jackson County, Alabama, was documented during the 2021-2023 growing seasons. In total, 32 collection trips were made resulting in 689 species representing 123 families and 366 genera. Thirty rare species were documented including several notable species such as the federally listed Platanthera integrilabia (Orchidaceae) and the globally rare species Viburnum bracteatum (Viburnaceae). There were 83 (11%) introduced species documented. Thirteen species documented were S1 and 17 were S2. The top three most represented families were Asteraceae (14%), Poaceae (9%) and Cyperaceae (7%). Additionally, species distribution models using Maxent were created to assist searching for two federally protected species known from the county, but not from the study site, Apios priceana (Fabaceae) and Clematis morefieldii (Ranunculaceae). While no occurrences were found, the model successfully delineated suitable habitat in which several other rare species were found such as Blephelia subnuda, Asplenium ruta-mariana, and Viburnum bracteatum.