Plants and animals impacted by the extension

Below are some plants and animals that will be impacted by the proposed extension of SW 24th Avenue. Most of the ones presented are "celebrities." However, the magnitude of the impact of the road on NATL's biota is better understood as resulting from the destruction and isolation (map and essay) of its wettest habitats.

	Grey fox is the largest animal continually present in NATL that will be endangered by the proposed road. Foxes have been observed in NATL infrequently but nearly every year since its inception. A mother and one pup (see next image) were seen this spring near the proposed right-of-way. Photo courtesy of USDA Forest Service .
	NAAC couldn't find a picture of a lone grey fox pup. NATL's vertebrates will become prime candidates for roadkill if their current habitat is fragmented. Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Cooperative Education Service Agency
	Less spectacular but with many more species of concern are the smaller vertebrates. For example, this black racer will have a difficult time if it attempts to cross four lanes of traffic. Amphibians will be especially affected as they attempt to travel between road-isolated aquatic breeding places and their non-breeding habitats in NATL.

	These two magnificent longleaf pines are within the right-of-way of the proposed road. The one in the background is 22 inches DBH [diameter breast high] whereas the one in the foreground is 24. The Natural Area Advisory Committee's tree survey lists four longleaf pines within the right-of-way that have diameters of 18 inches or more. [The survey also lists ten loblolly pines within the ROW that have diameters of 18 inches or more.]
	These two large live oaks are part of a cluster of three just north of NATL's South Trail at Regency Oaks Apartments. The one nearest the volunteer is 25 inches DBH [diameter breast high], and the other is 23 inches. The Natural Area Advisory Committee's tree survey lists five live oaks within the right-of-way that have diameters of 20 inches or more.
	A 29-inch hickory that is on the right-of-way near Archer Woods Apartments. The Natural Area Advisory Committee's tree survey lists 17 hickories within the right-of-way that have diameters of 18 inches or more..
	Two sweet gums (24 and 23 inches in diameter) along NATL's South Trail. The Natural Area Advisory Committee's tree survey lists ten sweet gums within the right-of-way that have diameters of 18 inches or more.
	The poppy mallow (Callirhoe papaver) is ranked as a threatened species in Florida. This one is blooming in one of eight experimental plots in NATL. One pair of these plots ("Pair D") is a few feet north of the proposed right-of-way, a site selected because it closely resembles the site near Powell Hall that has UF's only natural stand of poppy mallows.