ALPHONSE, M.S.; University of Central Florida: The Widespread Effects of Brazilian Pepper on its Environment

The most widespread exotic woody species in Florida is Shinus terbinthifolius Raddi, Brazilian pepper (Schmitz et al., 1997). It is an aggressive invader found in coastal and inland areas in Central and South Florida (Ewe, 2002). Brazilian pepper is threatening the biodiversity in Florida (Austin, 1978), since it has a high reproductive potential because of the large number of fruits produced per plant (Morton, 1978). One important reason this plant should be studied is that, it is replacing native species in Florida, including endangered species including the Haleakala silverword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense), liliwai (Acaena exigua), and the mahoe tree(Alectryon micrococcus)(FEIS database). The National Park Service has estimated a total cost of $75,000,000 to restore 5,000 � 6,000 acres of land at Everglades National Park after Brazilian pepper infestation. My research will determine if Brazilian pepper affects the aquatic invertebrate organisms in its surrounding environment. I will determine toxicity to multiple parts of Brazilian pepper trees, including: 1.stem bark 2. flowers 3. unripe and ripe seeds (fresh and soaked), and 4. conditioned seawater. Using brine shrimp, Artemia salina, as a model organism, I will run replicated trials with 5 shrimp and a range of densities of the parts of the plants listed above. Additionally, I will test both intact and crushed flowers, unripe and ripe seeds because some chemicals are only released when crushed. Preliminary results show that the bio- toxicity of the crushed leaves of Brazilian pepper was greater than all other tested plant structures.