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Basil V. Iannone III

Specialist

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Basil V. Iannone III

Orcid ID0000-0002-2477-7573

Specialist

associate professor and state Extension specialist, residential landscape ecology, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Gainesville, FL

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Publications

thumbnail for publication: Protecting Natural Areas During Development: Four Spatial Considerations to Maximize their Benefits

Protecting Natural Areas During Development: Four Spatial Considerations to Maximize their Benefits

Basil V. Iannone III, Tina McIntyre, Alexander J. Reisinger, Eban Z. Bean, Abbey Tyrna, and Brooke L. Moffis

Designers, builders, and managers of sustainable urban areas must consider location and proximity of conserved land, built infrastructure, and designed urban ecosystems such as stormwater ponds and ornamental gardens. This publication introduces four key spatial considerations and discusses their implications for conservation of native plants and animals and the biodiversity and ecological benefits provided by urban landscapes. Planners, builders, and managers must recognize and conserve spatial differences in habitat types and understand how the size, shape, and location of conserved lands and urban ecosystems affect plant and animal welfare and movement. The publication  lists multiple free tools for visualizing and measuring spatial aspects and stresses that conserved areas and designed ecosystems must be properly managed to reap benefits from good spatial planning. People can use the information to improve the design, construction and management of sustainable urban areas.

thumbnail for publication: Getting Into the “Weeds:” An Introduction to Common Lawn Plants and Their Ecological Benefits in North Central Florida

Getting Into the “Weeds:” An Introduction to Common Lawn Plants and Their Ecological Benefits in North Central Florida

Olesya Malakhova, Wendy L. Wilber, Sandra B. Wilson, Kacey A. Russo, Jesse C. Jones, Brooke L. Moffis, Johanna S. Walker, and Basil V. Iannone III

Maintaining monoculture lawns is resource intensive and can have environmental impacts on arthropod and aquatic communities. Here we introduce the reader to some of the many native plants that establish in lawns and if left to grow can provide ecological benefits to urban landscapes. Most resources and marketing regarding these plants focus on killing them rather than on their ecological benefits. This publication introduces the audience to these species and provides information about the biology and benefits of these species, as well as resources to learn more about self-recruiting lawn species.

thumbnail for publication: Effects of Urban Fertilizer Ordinances on Water Quality

Effects of Urban Fertilizer Ordinances on Water Quality

Alexander J. Reisinger, Michael D. Dukes, Basil V. Iannone III, J. Bryan Unruh, and Samuel J. Smidt

Originating from environmental or humans sources, too much nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) in water bodies can degrade water quality. In an attempt to reduce the contribution of human sources of N and P to local waters, urban fertilizer ordinances have been adopted in at least 35 counties in Florida and 97 additional Florida municipalities. Despite this work, the efficacy of fertilizer ordinances are debated by end users. The purpose of this publication is to summarize a peer-reviewed, scientific article that investigated impacts of fertilizer on long-term water quality trends in Florida lakes (Smidt et al. 2022) and is intended to be used by UF/IFAS Extension faculty and/or regulatory officials considering adopting or modifying an urban fertilizer ordinance. We encourage green industry professionals and concerned community members to share the effectiveness of fertilizer ordinances.

thumbnail for publication: From Reactive to Proactive Stormwater Pond Management: Practical Guidelines for HOA Leaders, Contractors, Developers, and Environmental Practitioners

From Reactive to Proactive Stormwater Pond Management: Practical Guidelines for HOA Leaders, Contractors, Developers, and Environmental Practitioners

Cody Gusto, Cody Gusto, Paul Monaghan, andBasil V. Iannone III

Residential stormwater ponds are engineered to manage runoff, reduce flooding, and protect downstream water quality, but their performance often depends on community decisions made after construction. This publication translates findings from a structured expert consensus study into practical guidance for homeowner association leaders, community association managers, contractors, developers, Extension professionals, and water quality advocates. It identifies common reasons stormwater pond management becomes reactive and outlines strategies for making proactive management more routine, including reducing nutrient inputs, using visible best management practices, improving budgets and contracts, strengthening contractor oversight, and communicating strategically during community transitions.