Oklahoma County flora: plant surveys and floristic quality assessment

Abstract

Plant surveys were conducted at Arcadia Lake and Belle Isle on the Deep Fork River (BIDFR) in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. The plant survey data was used to perform a Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) at both sites. Based on an area's floristic composition, FQA produces a numerical value that quantifies how much or little environmental degradation has occurred. Arcadia Lake had a Mean C of 3.8 and FQI of 66.5, and Belle Isle at the Deep Fork River had a Mean C of 3.2 and 30.9 FQI. The FQA for Arcadia Lake indicates an ecosystem that is more intact with fewer anthropogenic stressors. In contrast, the FQA for BIDFR indicates an ecosystem in peril from anthropogenic stressors. FQA is a crucial tool for communicating to a broad audience what natural areas to prioritize for conservation. This study aimed to assess the ecological integrity of these sites and provide a baseline model for future FQA use in Oklahoma.