PS 48-238 - Exploring the structural diversity and associated benefits of Florida food forests

Abstract: Florida's unique environment makes it possible to grow a variety of temperate, subtropical, and tropical crops. However, despite a landscape capable of generating a variety of food crops, multiple factors are having a significant influence on food security, including the recent COVID-19 pandemic, extreme climate events, socioeconomic inequity, and unsustainable land management. Accordingly, it is critical to develop sustainable solutions to address food production and accessibility, especially in low-income neighborhoods that are considered food deserts. One potential solution to this issue is the development of food forests, a type of agroforestry system that is dominated by multiple canopy layers of edible woody species. In partnership with the Florida Forest Service, I am identifying and mapping urban food forests in Florida, the first project of its kind in the state. I am documenting edible plant taxa, taking their GPS locations, and identifying the garden design and management methods. Through interviews with food forest managers, I am assessing the purpose of creation of these food forests, their benefits and constraints, etc. This research covers twenty three food forests, divided into four types of organizations (private, public, academic and non-profit) and located in six different USDA plant hardiness zones in Florida. So far, this research has visited and mapped ten food forest in three USDA plant hardiness zones (9b, 10a and 10b), and recorded 1595 plant individuals of 282 species. The most abundant species found in zone 9b are Tithonia diversifolia, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius and Moringa oleifera. In zone 10a, Ananas comosus, Moringa oleifera and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis were more abundant. And in zone 10b, the most abundant species were Musa sp., Mangifera indica and Carica papaya. Most of the species were planted due to their edibility, medicinal uses, ability to improve soil conditions or attract pollinators. More food forests will be included in the analysis before the ESA meeting in August 2023. The results of this research represent a precious resource for people who want to start a new food forest and for those who want to improve an existing food forest in the same USDA plant hardiness zones or connect to others in the State of Florida.