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===Water===
===Water===
Water is an important, highly valued resource. It is used for farming, providing electricity, and plumbing, cleaning, drinking, bathing, and many other things. This poses problems for the natural environment. Bodies of water, like lakes or ponds, are drained to create homes or other facilities. Water can also be redirected so that certain areas that are creating new businesses or that have a large population of people moving in can have fresh, clean water going directly to them instead of having to import water from other areas or buy it in large quantities to store for personal or commercial use. {{cn|date=December 2018}}
Supplying water poses problems for the natural environment. Bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands, are drained to create homes or other facilities. Water can also be redirected to address population growth or economic development, which may compete with the needs of flora and fauna. Runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from farming, industry, and households damages ecosystems. Toxic chemical runoff and byproducts from decomposing materials and foods can contaminate water supplies.

In the natural environment, many animal species depend on the regular flow of water and specific bodies of water for their survival. Draining small lakes, ponds, and river beds eliminates a habitat that many different species of fish, alligators, insects, and other animals depend on for their survival. Likewise, redirecting water poses just as great a threat to native species as it does to us. When water is redirected, the original flow becomes disrupted and limits the amount of water that can be obtained at other areas. {{cn|date=December 2018}}

Runoff of pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals from farming, factories, households, and commercial and industrial uses causes imbalances within ecosystems. Toxic chemical runoff and byproducts from decomposing materials and foods can contaminate water supplies. Most importantly, these chemicals, like mercury, wreak havoc in fisheries and cause problems like infertility, mutations, and sometimes fish death. Large agricultural and farming communities and urban areas leak pollutants directly into the water supply that can then flow through natural environments. When pesticides and fertilizers get into the water, plants are affected too. Fertilizers often contain phosphorus which can lead to increased growth of some water-borne plants and foliage. This abnormally rapid growth can cause other water-borne plant populations to dwindle because of competition for space.{{cn|date=December 2018}}


===Deforestation===
===Deforestation===
Forests provide many benefits to the environment. They create habitats for small and large animals, insects, and small organisms like bacteria and fungi that feed on decomposing tree trunks. They also store carbon. Forests are like giant banks of stored carbon. When forests are cut down in large quantities, tons and tons of previously stored carbon are released into the atmosphere. Aside from storing vast amounts of carbon, they also help prevent soil erosion. Areas that have been dry and arid with bare exposed soil can be recovered by planting trees around a buffer area to prevent further soil erosion. With proper care, maintenance, and patience, the area can be recovered.{{cn|date=December 2018}}
Forests offer habitats for small and large animals, insects, small organisms like bacteria and fungi that feed on decomposing tree trunks, and harbor plants. They also store carbon. [[Deforestation]] is the removal of trees to use the land for other purposes. "Florida has lost 22% of forests since 1953 (a loss of 1.6 million ha)."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fp.auburn.edu/sfws/sfnmc/class/distinguished/sld084.htm |access-date=November 2, 2011 |title=Deforestation in Florida|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502142538/https://fp.auburn.edu/sfws/sfnmc/class/distinguished/sld084.htm |archive-date=May 2, 2012 }}</ref>

[[Deforestation]] is the removal of all or some trees from an area of forest for use as something else. Florida is known for having various ecosystems aside from the wet marshlands called the Everglades. It is also home to a variety of different kinds of forests. The trees and wood obtained from these forests are used to construct furniture and homes or can be sold individually as boards and shapes for construction. To obtain these large amounts of wood, whole sections of trees must be cut down. Sometimes trees are cut down to get to an area of preference. Another reason for cutting down large sections of trees is to construct new homes or buildings in an aesthetically pleasing area. "Florida has lost 22% of forests since 1953 (a loss of 1.6 million ha)."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fp.auburn.edu/sfws/sfnmc/class/distinguished/sld084.htm |access-date=November 2, 2011 |title=Deforestation in Florida|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502142538/https://fp.auburn.edu/sfws/sfnmc/class/distinguished/sld084.htm |archive-date=May 2, 2012 }}</ref>


===Climate change===
===Climate change===
{{Main|climate change in Florida}}
{{Excerpt|Climate change in Florida}}
The Florida coastline is already experiencing the [[effects of global warming]]. These effects could change the look and appearance of Florida's coastline forever. "Scientists have already observed changes in Florida consistent with the early effects of global warming: retreating and eroding shorelines, dying coral reefs, [[saltwater intrusion]] into inland freshwater aquifers, an upswing in forest fires, and warmer air and sea-surface temperatures."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/nflorida.asp |access-date=November 20, 2011|title=Global Warming Threatens Florida|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028144431/http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/nflorida.asp |archive-date=October 28, 2011 }}</ref>


===Introduced fauna and flora===
===Introduced fauna and flora===
Introduced species from non-native environments, such as Southeast Asia and South America thrived in Florida. Local and private groups formed to combat some invasive species.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridainvasives.org/ |title=Home - Florida Invasive Species Partnership |publisher=Floridainvasives.org |date=2015-09-23 |access-date=2015-09-27}}</ref>One example is ''[[Lygodium microphyllum]]''. This vine can cover whole sections of a forest. The vine is native to Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3046 |title=old world climbing fern: Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States |publisher=Invasiveplantatlas.org |date=2015-05-15 |access-date=2015-09-27}}</ref>[[File:ARS Lygodium microphyllum.jpg|thumb|Old World fern taking over a forested area]]
Introduced species are from non-native environments, such as Southeast Asia and South America. These species often find their new environment perfect for them and begin to grow and breed at extraordinary rates, becoming invasive. "An invasive species is generally defined as a plant, animal, or microbe that is found outside of its native range, where it negatively impacts the ecology, economy, or quality of native species and human life."<ref name="WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida" >{{cite web|url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259 |title=WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida |publisher=Edis.ifas.ufl.edu |access-date=2015-09-27}}</ref> With nothing to keep them in check, since there is nothing in the new environment to challenge their boundaries, or that feeds on it, the alien species will continue to take over and sometimes push native plants or animals out of their native environments.{{cn|date=December 2018}}

In Florida, local and private groups have formed to help combat some of their invasive species of plants and animals. "The Florida Invasive Species Partnership (FISP) is a collaboration of federal, state, and local agencies along with non-government organizations, all with a stake in managing invasive non-native species in Florida."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridainvasives.org/ |title=Home - Florida Invasive Species Partnership |publisher=Floridainvasives.org |date=2015-09-23 |access-date=2015-09-27}}</ref>

One example of a plant species that has spread abnormally is the Old World climbing fern (''[[Lygodium microphyllum]]'' (Cav.) R. Br.). This invasive vine can grow up to 90 feet and more and survive through the winter without losing much of its greenness. This vine has been known to cover whole sections, rows, and at times all of the trees in forests and line them in huge veils of sweeping green foliage. These vines pose serious fire hazards in dry areas or during dry seasons. The vine is native to the following continents:
:*Africa
:*Australia
:*Southeast Asia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=3046 |title=old world climbing fern: Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States |publisher=Invasiveplantatlas.org |date=2015-05-15 |access-date=2015-09-27}}</ref>
[[File:ARS Lygodium microphyllum.jpg|thumb|Old World fern taking over a forested area]]

One example of an animal species that has bred without limit is the Cuban tree frog (''[[Osteopilus septentrionalis]]''). The Cuban tree frog found its way to Florida after hitching a ride in shipping containers on trading boats and ships. As its name implies, the frog is native to Cuba. Florida's warm, rainy, and humid weather is perfect for the Cuban tree frog to reproduce and breed. The only thing that seems to cause sharp declines in their populations are freezes or unusually cold winters. These frogs have spread up and down the coast of Florida and around the central Florida area. They eat various types of insects and spiders but are also cannibalistic and have caused the native Florida tree frog populations to decrease as they feed on them. "Cuban Treefrogs are 'sit-and-wait' predators. On warm nights in Florida, it is common to encounter Cuban Treefrogs hanging on walls and windows near lighted areas as they sit and wait for insects (and native treefrogs) to be attracted to the lights. As they feed, they defecate on the windows and walls, and their fecal deposits can become unsightly over time, especially if there are a lot of frogs in the area. Furthermore, when a person enters or exits his or her home at night, Cuban Treefrogs waiting for an insect meal may be startled and, as a result will occasionally jump onto people or into their homes through open doors."<ref name="WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida" /> The frog is native to areas such as:
:*Cuba
:*Cayman Islands
:*Bahamas


One invasive animal species is the Cuban tree frog (''[[Osteopilus septentrionalis]]''). It hitched a ride in shipping containers. Only freezes and unusually cold winters limit their growth. They feed on native Florida tree frog populations."<ref name="WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida">{{cite web |title=WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida |url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259 |access-date=2015-09-27 |publisher=Edis.ifas.ufl.edu}}</ref> The frog is native to areas such as Cuba, Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.
===Endangered Florida species===
===Endangered species===
The state of Florida has about 33 animals and 43 plant species that are endangered.{{cn|date=December 2018}} Some of the animals that are listed are the Florida panther, the leatherback sea turtle, the West Indian manatee, and the red-cockaded woodpecker, to name a few, and some of the plants that are listed are the bell-flower, scrub plum, Small's milk pea, and the water-willow.
Florida has some 33 animals and 43 plant species rated endangered.{{cn|date=December 2018}} They include the [[Florida panther]], the [[leatherback sea turtle]], the [[West Indian manatee]], and the [[red-cockaded woodpecker]]. Endangered plants include the [[Campanulaceae|bell-flower]], [[scrub plum]], Small's milk pea, and the water-willow.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}


==Migration patterns==
==Migration patterns==

Revision as of 07:27, 15 July 2024

Looking north on State Road 694 from the bridge over Intracoastal Waterway. Indian Shores, Florida on left, mangroves on right

The ecology of Florida considers the state's two Level I and three Level II/III ecoregions containing more than 80 distinct ecosystems.[1][2] They differ in hydrology, climate, landforms, soil types, flora, and fauna, forming a global biodiversity hotspot.[3]

Abiotic environment

The climate of Florida varies across the state due to its polar orientation and 447-mile length. From central Florida to the Georgia border, the climate is generally humid subtropical, while South Florida has a tropical climate. The end of spring to mid-fall is characterized by a significant rainy season, with hurricanes, thunderstorms, and tropical cyclones. The winter and spring are significantly drier, often resulting in brushfires and strict no-fire laws. Snowfall has been recorded in northern Florida, and hard freezes have damaged orange groves.[4]

Ponte Vedra Beach, an area attracting many tourists

Florida is surrounded on three sides by bodies of water: the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Florida Bay to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. In addition to its coastal habitats, Florida has a variety of wetland habitats, such as marshland, swampland, lakes, springs, and rivers. Florida's largest river is the St. Johns River. Florida's largest lake, Lake Okeechobee, flows into the Florida Everglades,[5] a two-million acre subtropical wetland.[6]

Biotic environment

Fauna

See also: List of mammals of Florida, List of birds of Florida, List of reptiles of Florida, List of amphibians of Florida, and List of fishes of Florida

Terrestrial

A Gulf fritillary, taken in Payne's Prairie State Park, Florida

Florida is home to diverse wildlife. Over 700 species of land animals are found in the state, including bobcats, armadillos, opossums, and foxes. More than 500 species of birds have been seen in the state, and it is home to an estimated 1,500 nesting pairs of bald eagles.[7] Florida's diverse ecosystems are home to many types of insects,[8] including the Gulf fritillary, a butterfly native to Florida grasslands.

Florida's mild climate, international ports of entry, and animal and nursery trades make the state vulnerable to invasive species; those that currently pose a threat include the Burmese python, cane toad, feral pigs, and lionfish.[9] Native wildlife is also threatened by habitat loss through land being converted to agriculture and urban development.[10]

Marine

Florida's waters support more than 200 freshwater fish species.[11]

This section is an excerpt from Florida Reef.[edit]
Three-dimensional map of southern Florida showing the Florida Reef in red.
The Florida Reef (also known as the Great Florida Reef, Florida reefs, Florida Reef Tract and Florida Keys Reef Tract) is the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.[12] It lies a few miles seaward of the Florida Keys, is about 4 miles (6 to 7 km) wide and extends (along the 20 meter depth contour) 270 km (170 mi) from Fowey Rocks just east of Soldier Key to just south of the Marquesas Keys. The system encompasses more than 6,000 individual reefs. Florida waters are home to over 500 marine fish and mammal species along with more than 45 species of stony corals and 35 species of octocorals.[13]

Forest ecology

Florida has many types of forest ecosystems.

  • Upland hardwoods: They are often found in patches, surrounded by flatwoods and sandhills. Upland hardwood forests typically host diverse trees and shrubs, with no dominant species. Many Florida state parks encompass upland hardwood forests.[14]
  • Bottomland hardwoods: They consist of shallow, wet areas near lakes, rivers, and sinkholes, which makes them prone to flooding. Consists of primarily deciduous trees that grow in layers with shrubs and herbaceous plants.[14]
  • Sandhills: This is a dry region with sandy soils that rarely floods. Fire periodically clears the underbrush and allows grasses and trees to dominate.[14]
  • Scrub: Scrub consists of various sand pines, dwarf oaks, Florida rosemary, palmettos, and other evergreen and xerophytic plants on sandy, nutrient-poor soil. This ecosystem is prone to and maintained by infrequent wildfires. Scrub plants tend to have extensive root systems close to the surface.[14]
  • Flatwoods: Pine flatwoods are low, flat, sandy lands subject to fires during dry months, but that may flood for months due to seasonal rainfall. Pine needles contribute to nutrient-rich soil, so plant growth is often rapid, supporting cattle grazing.[14]
  • Tropical hardwood hammock: This ecosystem includes many broad-leaved evergreens. These forests are restricted to South Florida because of hard freezes in the North. These areas are often preferred for development for their well-drained soils.[14]

Human impacts

In the pre-Columbian era, forests, prairies, and the Everglades dominated Florida's landscape. Small rivers, swamps, and natural lakes and springs were ubiquitous. At the time, the area was inhabited by the Florida's indigenous tribes. These tribes led a mostly subsistence-based lifestyle, consisting of basic farming to provide enough food for one family. This way of living had minimal effects on the landscape, as most of the time only fertile areas of non-swamp land were utilized.[citation needed]

Over time, as the European colonization of the Americas progressed, more and more Europeans began to colonize the area. Once the technology to drain and redirect extensive areas of swampland presented itself, more settlers came to lay claims to acres of land for future development. These large influxes of people led to the mass manipulation of the Florida landscape, altering it permanently. Significant effort was made to divert, drain, or redirect water through the creation of various types of waterways like canals or manmade lakes. Settlers also began cutting down forests, and converting the lands from natural to agricultural use. This intense and highly complex manipulation of the landscape caused problems for the native species of animals living there.[15][clarification needed]

Water

Supplying water poses problems for the natural environment. Bodies of water, including lakes, ponds, and wetlands, are drained to create homes or other facilities. Water can also be redirected to address population growth or economic development, which may compete with the needs of flora and fauna. Runoff of pesticides and fertilizers from farming, industry, and households damages ecosystems. Toxic chemical runoff and byproducts from decomposing materials and foods can contaminate water supplies.

Deforestation

Forests offer habitats for small and large animals, insects, small organisms like bacteria and fungi that feed on decomposing tree trunks, and harbor plants. They also store carbon. Deforestation is the removal of trees to use the land for other purposes. "Florida has lost 22% of forests since 1953 (a loss of 1.6 million ha)."[16]

Climate change

This section is an excerpt from Climate change in Florida.[edit]

The effects of climate change in Florida are attributable to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Floridians are experiencing increased flooding due to sea level rise, and are concerned about the possibility of more frequent or more intense hurricanes.[17]

The state has been described as America's "ground zero" for climate change, global warming and sea level rise, because "the majority of its population and economy is concentrated along low-elevation oceanfront."[18][19][20][21][22]

Florida residents think climate change is happening at higher rates than the national average. As of March 2023, about two-thirds of the state believes in anthropogenic climate change, up from 55% in April 2020.[23][24] However, the state remains politically divided: while Democrats have reached a general consensus on the issue, only half of Republicans agree and support teaching about climate change in schools.[25] Some communities in Florida have begun implementing climate change mitigation approaches; however, statewide initiatives have been hampered by the politicization of climate change in the United States, focusing on resilience rather than full scale mitigation and adaptation.[26]

Introduced fauna and flora

Introduced species from non-native environments, such as Southeast Asia and South America thrived in Florida. Local and private groups formed to combat some invasive species.[27]One example is Lygodium microphyllum. This vine can cover whole sections of a forest. The vine is native to Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia[28]

Old World fern taking over a forested area

One invasive animal species is the Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis). It hitched a ride in shipping containers. Only freezes and unusually cold winters limit their growth. They feed on native Florida tree frog populations."[29] The frog is native to areas such as Cuba, Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas.

Endangered species

Florida has some 33 animals and 43 plant species rated endangered.[citation needed] They include the Florida panther, the leatherback sea turtle, the West Indian manatee, and the red-cockaded woodpecker. Endangered plants include the bell-flower, scrub plum, Small's milk pea, and the water-willow.[citation needed]

Migration patterns

When an animal migrates, they are simply moving from one place to another and back to their original location. Animals migrate to find good breeding grounds or areas with large amounts of food. When man-made objects or constructs get in the way of an animal's routine migratory path, it is forced to change its usual breeding ground or area of sustenance.[citation needed]

Changes in the migration patterns of panthers

The Florida panther is listed as endangered. This is because the encroachment of developing lands, highways, and other man-made structures has mostly destroyed or diminished their natural habitats. They also have trouble hunting the white-tailed deer, which is their main source of food, as they have been cut off from each other because of human developments as well.[30] Due to these developments, Florida panthers have had to change their migration routes as well as become accustomed to smaller hunting and breeding grounds.[citation needed]

Migratory birds

Many birds spend the summer farther north on the east coast of the U.S. and migrate through Florida on their way to South America or the Caribbean. Water birds that winter in Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico use Florida as their last land stop before the islands. In contrast, most land birds will fly from Florida to the coast of Mexico to continue moving to South America while remaining over land.[31] Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) that spend summers in the eastern half of the U.S. use multiple routes through Florida to reach the Yucatán peninsula, the Caribbean islands, and South America.[32] Upon their return, birds crossing the Gulf of Mexico need to stop in Florida to feed and replenish their energy after the strenuous flight over water.[33] Some species, like the Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa), stay in Florida for the winter. In the case of the Red Knot, the state's east coast is used as a stopover on the way to the Caribbean and as an overwintering area.[34] Some birds returning north in the fall have migration patterns that bring them into the path of Gulf hurricanes, increasing the danger of the flight as well as the need for abundant resources on the North Coast of the Gulf.[32] Migrating birds arrive in the highest densities in areas with dense hardwood forests. For those in need of food, this habitat could indicate an abundance of resources, and many stopover in the panhandle of Florida in hardwood and pine forests close to the coast. Conservation of these forests will be necessary for the future of many migrating bird species. With so many birds using these forests to forage after strenuous flights, degradation or loss of this habitat could lead to high mortality as the birds quickly use up a smaller pool of resources.[33] The same can be said for the East Coast of the state, where habitat loss caused by sea level rise, beach erosion, and development threaten migratory routes.[34] Although the Migratory Bird Treaty Act made the "taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds unlawful," habitat must also be protected to help the birds that migrate through Florida survive.[35]

Image of a Florida panther

State policies

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the agency responsible for protecting Florida's ecology. Its mission is to protect "our air, water, and land." It is divided into 41 programs that cover three areas of interest: Regulatory Programs, Land and Recreation, and Water Policy and Ecosystem Restoration.[citation needed]

Regulatory programs

The DEP makes regulations and follows up to ensure they are adhered to. Besides the normal administrative sections of the agency, there is an office of the Inspector General, which conducts audits and investigations related to preserving Florida's air, land, and water. It provides an impartial judge to determine what should be done. They are supported by law enforcement and policy compliance sectors. An office for siting coordination also regulates the power grid and natural gas pipelines across the entire state.[36]

Land and recreation

Manatee Springs State Park

The DEP is responsible for state-owned recreational land. This includes the entire state park system and most of Florida's beaches. There are also separate entities dealing with the trails and greenways (Florida Ecological Greenways Network) initiative, Green Lodging, and the Clean Marina program, to name just a few. The Front Porch Florida program also falls into this category; it is a program to help neighborhoods regain a sense of community. It hopes to make these communities a fun place to be. The Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems monitors Florida's fragile beach environments and works with local initiatives and the Army Corps of Engineers to protect and restore the beaches. It also is responsible for disaster response initiatives, such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill beach cleanup efforts. State-owned lands are under the supervision of this department, divided into the Florida State Parks program and the Public Lands program.[37]

Water policy and ecosystem restoration

Some programs from the other two categories also fall into this category, such as the Bureau of Beaches and Coastal Systems, because they deal with the restoration aspect of a larger issue. However, some programs are entirely within this category, such as the Wastewater Program and the Everglades Restoration program. The Springs, Water, and Wetlands programs all fall into this category. These programs perform important functions by monitoring Florida's drinking water quality and quantity.[citation needed]

Progress

Florida Locator Map

FERI

In 1998, the Office of Ecosystem Management conducted the Florida Ecological Restoration Inventory (FERI). Using information gathered from the managers of all state-owned lands, they assessed the restoration needs and created a comprehensive map including the urgency of each need. This became an online database of planned, needed, and completed restoration projects and the information about them. In 2000, the Bureau of Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources was awarded a grant to update FERI and expand the database to include information from other agencies. There are currently six categories in FERI. They are: cultural resource protection, ecological protection, exotic removal, hydrologic restoration/enhancement, upland restoration/enhancement, and wetland restoration/enhancement.[38]

Recovery Program

The DEP has initiated the Recovery Program, which uses ARAA federal stimulus money to fund environmental programs across the state. Diesel emissions reduction is receiving 1.7 million dollars to add electricity to rest stops so trucks do not have to idle and retrofitting school buses to make them more environmentally friendly. The Superfund program will receive $61 million to clean up hazardous waste from the Superfund hazardous waste sites. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks will use $11.2 million to clean up "orphan" petroleum storage tanks (abandoned tanks that have no party responsible for them). $750,000 from the EPA will go towards local brownfield land projects. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund will use $132.3 million to issue loans for communities to improve their waste water and storm water systems. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund will use $88.1 million to issue community loans to upgrade their drinking water infrastructure.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Ecoregions of North America". July 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "Ecosystems & Species". 26 November 2023.
  3. ^ Kotala, Zenaida (2016). "Florida Declared a Global Biodiversity Hotspot". UCF Today. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "Florida Climate Center". Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "Florida Nature: Forests, Seashores, Preserves". Floridasmart.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  6. ^ "The Everglades | National Wildlife Federation". 26 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Bald Eagle". 26 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Florida Insects". 26 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Stories in Florida | Slowing the Spread of Invasive Species". September 30, 2022.
  10. ^ "Landscope Florida | Habitat Loss". 26 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Wildlife Viewing | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission". Floridasmart.com. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  12. ^ The biggest coral reef in the continental U.S. is dissolving into the ocean Accessed May 6, 2016
  13. ^ "Florida's Coral Reef | Florida Department of Environmental Protection". floridadep.gov. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "UF-SFRC : 4-H : Forest Resources". Sfrc.ufl.edu. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  15. ^ "Human–environment interactions in South Florida's Everglades region: Systems of ecological degradation and restoration" (PDF). Carmelacanzonieri.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  16. ^ "Deforestation in Florida". Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
  17. ^ The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board (2017-09-08). "Editorial: Gov. Scott's Irma leadership undercut by his climate denial". The Palm Beach Post. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  18. ^ Bagley, Katharine (2014-03-13). "Climate Change Showdown in Florida Governor's Race". InsideClimate News. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  19. ^ Grunwald, Michael (April 22, 2014). "Spending Earth Day at Ground Zero for Climate Change In America". Time. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  20. ^ Editorials (August 1, 2015). "Ground Zero for climate change". Miami Herald. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  21. ^ Urdaneta, Diego (April 22, 2014). "Florida is 'Ground Zero' for sea level rise". phys.org. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  22. ^ Morse, Hannah. "Florida is climate change 'ground zero.' But it lacks buzz ahead of presidential debate". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2020-02-26.
  23. ^ "U.S. Public Views on Climate and Energy". Pew Research Center. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  24. ^ "April 2020 Results : Florida Climate Resilience Survey April 2020". Center for Environmental Studies. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
  25. ^ "March 2023 Results : Florida Atlantic University - Center for Environmental Studies". www.ces.fau.edu. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  26. ^ "Florida's statewide climate change response ignores cause". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-06-17.
  27. ^ "Home - Florida Invasive Species Partnership". Floridainvasives.org. 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  28. ^ "old world climbing fern: Lygodium microphyllum (Polypodiales: Lygodiaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States". Invasiveplantatlas.org. 2015-05-15. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  29. ^ "WEC218/UW259: The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida". Edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  30. ^ "Florida Panther". Earthjustice.org. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  31. ^ Lincoln, Frederic C. (1935). Zimmerman, John L. (ed.). Migration of Birds (1998 ed.). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  32. ^ a b Martell, Mark S.; Bierregaard, Richard O.; Washburn, Brian E.; Elliott, John E.; Henny, Charles J.; Kennedy, Robert S.; MacLeod, Iain (2014). "The Spring Migration of Adult North American Ospreys". Journal of Raptor Research. 48 (4): 309–324. doi:10.3356/jrr-14-00035.1. ISSN 0892-1016. S2CID 83726742.
  33. ^ a b Lafleur, Jill M.; Buler, Jeffrey J.; Moore, Frank R. (2016-03-26). "Geographic position and landscape composition explain regional patterns of migrating landbird distributions during spring stopover along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico". Landscape Ecology. 31 (8): 1697–1709. doi:10.1007/s10980-016-0354-1. ISSN 0921-2973. S2CID 254751490.
  34. ^ a b Florida, University of South (2012). "Migration and Over-Wintering of Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) along the Atlantic Coast of the United States". The Condor. 114 (2): 302–313. doi:10.1525/cond.2012.110077. ISSN 0010-5422. S2CID 86365747.
  35. ^ "16 U.S. Code § 703 - Taking, killing, or possessing migratory birds unlawful". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-11-26.
  36. ^ "Florida's Environment". Floridaplants.com. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  37. ^ "Florida State Parks". Florida State Parks. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  38. ^ "Florida Ecological Restoration Inventory". Dep.state.fl.us. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
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