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Urbanization and warming climate suggest that health impacts from extreme heat will increase in cities, thus locating vulnerable populations is pivotal. However, heat vulnerability indices (HVI) overwhelmingly interpret one model that may be inaccurate or methodologically flawed without considering how results compare with other HVI. Accordingly, this analysis applied a multimodal approach incorporating underrepresented health and adaptability measures to analyze heat vulnerability more comprehensively and better identify vulnerable populations. The Southeast Florida HVI (SFHVI) blends twenty-four physical exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity indicators using uncommon statistical weights removing overlap, then SFHVI scores were compared statistically and qualitatively with ten models utilizing alternative methods. Urban areas with degraded physical settings, socioeconomic conditions, health, and household resources were particularly vulnerable. Rural and agricultural areas were also vulnerable reflecting socioeconomic conditions, health, and community resources. Three alternative models produced vulnerability scores not statistically different than SFHVI. The other seven differed significantly despite geospatial consistency regarding the most at-risk areas. Since inaccurate HVI can mislead decisionmakers inhibiting mitigation, future studies should increasingly adopt multimodal approaches that enhance analysis comprehensiveness, illuminate methodological strengths and flaws, as well as reinforce conviction about susceptible populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are frequently observed in the coastal waters of Palm Beach County, Florida. In this study, markrecapture surveys using photo-identification techniques were used to estimate population abundance of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in this area for the first time. Surveys were conducted for 11 years, between 2005 and 2016, during which 384 individuals were identified and catalogued from distinctive nicks and notches on their dorsal fins. Each marked individual was documented an average of 2.4 times (range 1 to 19). Low resighting rates and a constant rate of encounter with previously unmarked individuals suggest that the population is open, comprising both residents and transients. The Jolly-Seber method was used to estimate population abundance. Estimates of abundance varied greatly in time with an overall average of 264 individuals and a 95% confidence interval of 162 to 366 (SE = 51.3), indicating a variable population size. As threats in the region continue to rise, such as overfishing, toxic algae blooms, and environmental pollutants, this understudied population may be vulnerable to decline. A better understanding of the population dynamics could facilitate more effective conservation action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 2004 hurricane season, Florida was hit by an unprecedented 4 hurricanes (Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne). The floodplain forest of the Loxahatchee River was impacted by both Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. Hurricane Frances made landfall on September 5, 2004. Three weeks later, Hurricane Jeanne made landfall on September 25, 2004. Previously in 2003, floodplain vegetation studies were conducted along 10 vegetative belt transects on the tidal and riverine portions of the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River and its major tributaries. In the summer and fall of 2005, canopy trees were reexamined along the 10 belt transects to assess hurricane damage. Comparisons were made between the 2003 survey of the canopy trees and the remaining canopy. In the tidal floodplains, tall white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) were heavily impacted, while shorter red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) were only marginally impacted and defoliated. In the riverine floodplains, the heaviest damage occurred within bottomland hardwood communities with both red maple (Acer rubrum) and water hickory (Carya aquatic) impacted. Of the 1,694 canopy trees sampled, a 2.5% mortality rate occurred as a result of the storms. There is a concern these storms may provide an opportunity for the expansion of exotic pest plants within the floodplains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtropical coastal sand dune ecosystems have been greatly altered by agricultural use, invasive exotic encroachment, urban development, and beach raking, rendering several plant species endangered or threatened. Restoration planning of this ecosystem will benefit from a comprehensive study on how environmental variables change across the coast- to-inland gradient of this ecosystem and it is therefore presented here. We also examined the relationship between the environmental characteristics and plant species composition across the gradient. We used the two largest extents of remaining dune ecosystem on the southeastern coast of Florida, where relatively intact populations of endangered species occur. Vegetation and environmental data were collected from 97 3 ×8 m plots in two sand dune parks along the coast-inland gradient. Soil moisture, most nutrients, cation exchange capacity, and organic matter accumulation increased with distance from the coast, whereas pH and salt spray decreased. The number of species per plot was higher at further distances from the coast at one site only, and higher woody cover was associated with less species diversity at the other site. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed the importance of P, Mg, Ca, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, estimated nitrogen release, and salt spray in affecting vegetation zonation. We conclude that soil chemistry is the most determinant factor of community zonation in these subtropical dunes. Restoration planning should be site specific because of the differences in environmental factors between the two study sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]