Data for aerial dispersal of Lygodium microphyllum spores within Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, 2003 - 2004

Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br.) is an invasive plant species threatening South Florida ecosystems. In 1989 L. microphyllum was observed in the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. L. microphyllum has attributes that allow it to thrive in South Florida. It produces a huge number of small spores that are easily suspended by wind and dispersed, have a high germination rate, and gametophytes have a high rate of sporophyte production. Aerial dispersal allows it to spread to suitable germination sites and its ability to self-fertilize at such high rates promotes successful colonization. The intense, abundant spore production also assists in saturating most suitable colonization sites with spores. This study was conducted during 2003 and 2004 to measure the spread of spores emanating from a high concentration of Lygodium plants in the Wildlife Refuge. Spore collectors were spaced along transects to capture spores and the number of spores per day collected were documented as a function of both distance and direction from the concentration of Lygodium.