Valerie Pence at CREW has developed in vitro spore propagation techniques. CREW and Fairchild propagate plants by spore in germination boxes. Large sporophytes are easily propagated by cutting through the short-creeping rhizome and roots with a sharp knife.

Valerie Pence at CREW has developed in vitro spore propagation techniques. CREW and Fairchild propagate plants by spore in germination boxes. Large sporophytes are easily propagated by cutting through the short-creeping rhizome and roots with a sharp knife.

Off site drainage and lowering of the regional water table may also have negative effects.

Some predictive models for sea-level rise show inundation of the occurrence in Everglades National Park  within the next century.

Vegetation management crews could negatively impact this species with unintended damage from herbicide overspray, piling of vegetation debris, or removal of non-native overstory species that cause a sudden increase in light and decrease in humidity.  Development on the one private property in Miami is a threat.  

Hurricanes are a serious threat to this species, as damaging winds contribute to destruction of the canopy of the rockland hammock, leading to increased light levels and decreased moisture levels; environmental conditions in which A. melanoleucum needs in order to survive.  Major hurricanes could cause devastating mortality. 

Valerie Pence at CREW has developed in vitro spore propagation techniques.  CREW and Fairchild propagate plants by spore in germination boxes.  Large sporophytes are easily propagated by cutting through the short-creeping rhizome and roots with a sharp knife.  

A. melanoleucum has a narrow range globally and throughout its historic range. It is considered to be at high risk of extirpation from Florida given it's limited range and small populations sizes.  Fairchild is in the process of reintroducing plants into suitable habitats for outplanting within it's historic range.  Suitable areas include hammocks in Everglades National Park and a handful of Miami-Dade County preserves and privately owned hammocks. These efforts will help to further safeguard A.melanoleucum's status in Florida.
 

Fairchild conducts regular population monitoring. In 2015, Fairchild initiated introductions into two preserves within the species' historic range.  Survivorship was very low in one preserve (<5%) and moderate in another (40-45%).  Augmentations in the second preserve are planned for the near future, adapting methods to improve survival.  Miami-Dade County removes encroaching invasive species in their preserves.

Steps that need to be taken in order to preserve and maintain the species consist of the continued annual monitoring of all Miami-Dade populations for health and sporulation, continued biannual monitoring of the known population that exist on private property, and the continued collection of spores from both wild and ex situ plants for long-term cryogenic storage at the NCGRP.

Competition by both native and non-native invasive plants is a serious threat to A.melanoleucum, and include the following species in Miami-Dade County: Epipremnum pinnatum, Syngonium podophyllum, a non-native Neprolepis species, and others.
 

Very rare in Florida (Everglades), but widespread in Caribbean and northern South America.