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#redirect[[Environment of Florida]]
{{Main|Environmental issues in the United States}}
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{{See also|Environment of Florida}}

There are a number of '''[[environmental issue]]s''' in '''[[Florida]]''' but the the human impact on the [[Everglades]] is the largest with a $7.8 billion, 30-year project aimed at its preservation and restoration.

==Everglades==
{{Main|Draining and development of the Everglades}}
[[Image:Everglades ecoregion.jpg|thumb|The Everglades ecoregion, highlighted in a satellite photograph]]
The Everglades are a subtropical wetlands located in the southern portion of Florida that have been designated under the [[Ramsar Convention]] as one of only three wetland areas of global importance. A [[restoration of the Everglades]] is being carried out.

==Biodiversity==
The [[Florida panther]] is close to [[extinction]]. A record 23 were killed in 2009 by hunters and in car accidents which leaves only about 100 individuals in the wild. The [[Center for Biological Diversity]] and others have therefore called for a special [[protected area]] for the panther to be established.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/29/16-record-number-panthers-killed-vehicles-2009/ |title=Record number of panthers killed by vehicles in 2009 |last=Williams Hale |first=Leslie |work=[[Naples News]] |date=29 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-1-01}}</ref>

[[Manatees]] are also dying at a rate much higher than their reproduction.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BI1RB20091219 |title=2009 a deadly year for Florida's manatees |last=Brown |first=Tom |work=[[Reuters]] |date=19 December 2009 |accessdate=2010-1-01}}</ref>

==Invasive species==

Approximately 1,300 of Florida's plant species (31 percent of the total) are non-natives which have become established; 10 percent of these are considered [[Invasive species|invasive]].<ref name=FEPPC>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleppc.org/ |title=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council:Facts |publisher=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council |accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref> The three most ecologically damaging are [[Brazilian pepper]] (''Schinus terebinthifolius''), which has taken over {{convert|703500|acre|km2|-2}} in south and central Florida, and forms single-species environments; [[Melaleuca quinquenervia|Melaleuca]] (''Melaleuca quinquenervia''), which has invaded {{convert|488800|acre|km2|-2}} - more than 12 percent of total land area in South Florida, and was spreading at an estimated {{convert|50|acre|m2|-2}} per day; and [[Australian Pine]] (''Casuarina spp'') which covered {{convert|372723|acre|km2|-2}}, and whose fallen needles release a chemical into the soil which inhibits the growth of native plants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu/text3.htm#MELALEUCA%20ACREAGE |title=Exotic Invasive Plants - "Weeds Gone Wild" |publisher=[[University of Florida]], Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office |accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref>

[[Hydrilla]] (''Hydrilla verticilatta'') is the most significant invasive [[aquatic plant]] species in the state;<ref name=hydrilla>{{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrinex.html |title=Invasive Nonindigenous Plants in Florida:Hydrilla |publisher=University of Florida, IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants |accessdate=2008-01-29}}</ref> aggressive biological, chemical and mechanical management has reduced the effects of [[water hyacinth]] (''Eichhornia crassipes'')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/eiccra2.html |title=Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:''Eichhornia crassipes'' |author=Ramey, Victor |month=August | year=2001 |publisher=Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> and [[water lettuce]] (''Pistia stratiotes'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/pisstr2.html |title=Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:''Pistia stratiotes''|author=Ramey, Victor |month=August | year=2001 |publisher=Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref>

Due in part to its prevalence in the [[exotic pet]] trade,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/floridapanther/exotics/exotics_abstracts2006.html |title=Emergency Response to Reptile & Amphibian Releases Especially the Nile Monitor Lizards |author=Campbell, Todd |publisher=US Fish and Wildlife Service |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> Florida has a large number of non-native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tracks 31 species of mammals,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=M |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 31 Mammal species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> 196 species of birds,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=B |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 196 Bird species |publisher-Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> 48 species of reptiles,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=R |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 48 Reptile species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> 4 species of amphibians,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=A |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 4 Amphibian species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> and 55 species of fish<ref>{{cite web |url=http://floridafisheries.com/pdf/Exotic%20List.pdf |title=List of exotic freshwater fishes collected from Florida fresh waters |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |month=August | year=2007 |accessdate=2008-01-30 |format=PDF}}</ref> that have been observed in the state. Many of the identified species are either non-breeding or stable populations, but several species, including the [[Cane Toad]] (''Bufo marinus''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/canetoad.shtml |title=Species Profiles:Cane Toad |publisher=[[USDA]] National Invasive Species Information Center |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> [[Gambian Pouched Rat]] (''Cricetomys gambianus''),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-03-fla-rats_x.htm |title=Large Gambian rats have Keys officials worried |publisher=[[Associated Press]] |date=3 January 2005 |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> [[Nile monitor]] (''Varanus niloticus''),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2005/3/reptilefeature.cfm |title= Florida's Creeping Crawlers: A Potential Nightmare in the Mangroves |author=Youth, Howard |date=May/June 2005 |publisher=''Zoogoer'' |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> and [[Burmese Python]] (''Python molurus bivittatus''),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1028_051028_pythons.html |title=Invasive Pythons Squeezing Florida Everglades |author=Mott, Maryann |date=28 October 2005 |publisher=''[[National Geographic]]'' |accessdate=2008-01-30}}</ref> have created significant impact on the delicate ecosystems of the state, especially in the tropical southern third of the state.

Florida's fresh waters are host to 34 confirmed breeding species of exotic (introduced) fish, a higher number than any other place on earth.<ref name=exoticfish>{{cite web |url=http://floridaconservation.org/fishing/Fishes/non-native.html |title=Florida's Exotic Freshwater Fishes |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |accessdate=2008-01-29}}</ref>

Since their accidental importation from South America into North America in the 1930s, the [[red imported fire ant]] population has increased its territorial range to include most of the [[Southern United States]], including Florida. They are more aggressive than most native ant species and have a painful sting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/invasive/4fireant.html |title=Not all alien invaders are from outer space |publisher=[[United States Department of Agriculture]] |accessdate=2007-12-03}}</ref>

==Waste==
Increasing landfill space is also an issue. [[St. Lucie County, Florida|St. Lucie County]] is planning to experiment with burning trash through [[plasma arc waste disposal|plasma arc gasification]] to generate energy and reduce landfill space.

==See also==
{{FloridaPortal}}
*[[Environmental issues in Brevard County]]
*[[Environmental Impact of the Big Cypress Swamp Jetport]]
*[[Carl Hiaasen]], a writer who has described environmental issues in a newspaper column and fictional books

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.environmentflorida.org/ Environment Florida] - a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization
*[http://florida.sierraclub.org/enviro_issues.asp Sierra Club Florida] - environmental issues


{{Florida}}

[[Category:Environment of Florida]]

Revision as of 06:46, 5 January 2010

Main article: Environmental issues in the United States
See also: Environment of Florida

There are a number of environmental issues in Florida but the the human impact on the Everglades is the largest with a $7.8 billion, 30-year project aimed at its preservation and restoration.

Everglades

Main article: Draining and development of the Everglades
The Everglades ecoregion, highlighted in a satellite photograph

The Everglades are a subtropical wetlands located in the southern portion of Florida that have been designated under the Ramsar Convention as one of only three wetland areas of global importance. A restoration of the Everglades is being carried out.

Biodiversity

The Florida panther is close to extinction. A record 23 were killed in 2009 by hunters and in car accidents which leaves only about 100 individuals in the wild. The Center for Biological Diversity and others have therefore called for a special protected area for the panther to be established.[1]

Manatees are also dying at a rate much higher than their reproduction.[2]

Invasive species

Approximately 1,300 of Florida's plant species (31 percent of the total) are non-natives which have become established; 10 percent of these are considered invasive.[3] The three most ecologically damaging are Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), which has taken over 703,500 acres (2,800 km2) in south and central Florida, and forms single-species environments; Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), which has invaded 488,800 acres (2,000 km2) - more than 12 percent of total land area in South Florida, and was spreading at an estimated 50 acres (202,300 m2) per day; and Australian Pine (Casuarina spp) which covered 372,723 acres (1,500 km2), and whose fallen needles release a chemical into the soil which inhibits the growth of native plants.[4]

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticilatta) is the most significant invasive aquatic plant species in the state;[5] aggressive biological, chemical and mechanical management has reduced the effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)[6] and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).[7]

Due in part to its prevalence in the exotic pet trade,[8] Florida has a large number of non-native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tracks 31 species of mammals,[9] 196 species of birds,[10] 48 species of reptiles,[11] 4 species of amphibians,[12] and 55 species of fish[13] that have been observed in the state. Many of the identified species are either non-breeding or stable populations, but several species, including the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus),[14] Gambian Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus),[15] Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus),[16] and Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus),[17] have created significant impact on the delicate ecosystems of the state, especially in the tropical southern third of the state.

Florida's fresh waters are host to 34 confirmed breeding species of exotic (introduced) fish, a higher number than any other place on earth.[18]

Since their accidental importation from South America into North America in the 1930s, the red imported fire ant population has increased its territorial range to include most of the Southern United States, including Florida. They are more aggressive than most native ant species and have a painful sting.[19]

Waste

Increasing landfill space is also an issue. St. Lucie County is planning to experiment with burning trash through plasma arc gasification to generate energy and reduce landfill space.

See also

Template:FloridaPortal

References

  1. ^ Williams Hale, Leslie (29 December 2009). "Record number of panthers killed by vehicles in 2009". Naples News. Retrieved 2010-1-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ Brown, Tom (19 December 2009). "2009 a deadly year for Florida's manatees". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-1-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ "Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council:Facts". Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  4. ^ "Exotic Invasive Plants - "Weeds Gone Wild"". University of Florida, Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
  5. ^ "Invasive Nonindigenous Plants in Florida:Hydrilla". University of Florida, IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  6. ^ Ramey, Victor (2001). "Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:Eichhornia crassipes". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Ramey, Victor (2001). "Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:Pistia stratiotes". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  8. ^ Campbell, Todd. "Emergency Response to Reptile & Amphibian Releases Especially the Nile Monitor Lizards". US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  9. ^ "Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 31 Mammal species". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  10. ^ "Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 196 Bird species". Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite web}}: Text "publisher-Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission" ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 48 Reptile species". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  12. ^ "Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 4 Amphibian species". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  13. ^ "List of exotic freshwater fishes collected from Florida fresh waters" (PDF). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  14. ^ "Species Profiles:Cane Toad". USDA National Invasive Species Information Center. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  15. ^ "Large Gambian rats have Keys officials worried". Associated Press. 3 January 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  16. ^ Youth, Howard (May/June 2005). "Florida's Creeping Crawlers: A Potential Nightmare in the Mangroves". Zoogoer. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ Mott, Maryann (28 October 2005). "Invasive Pythons Squeezing Florida Everglades". National Geographic. Retrieved 2008-01-30. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "Florida's Exotic Freshwater Fishes". Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  19. ^ "Not all alien invaders are from outer space". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2007-12-03.


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