Florida, with its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, faces a challenge from invasive species. These are organisms not native to an ecosystem whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. Unlike non-native species that may exist harmlessly, invasive species actively disrupt the natural balance of their new environments. Florida’s rich biodiversity makes it susceptible to these biological invaders.
Factors Contributing to Florida’s Vulnerability
Florida’s characteristics contribute to its susceptibility to invasive species. Its subtropical climate, marked by mild winters and a year-round growing season, provides conditions where many non-native plants and animals can thrive. The state’s peninsular geography, with an extensive coastline and numerous international ports of entry, serves as a gateway for species arriving via global trade routes, ship ballast water, or cargo.
High human population density and a large tourism industry also play a role in intentional and unintentional introductions. The demand within the pet and plant trade facilitates the entry of non-native species, with many escaping or being released into the wild. These factors create an environment where invasive species can readily establish and spread.
The Current Scope of Invasive Species
Florida is considered a hotspot for non-native species, with over 500 non-native animal species and more than 1,180 non-native plant species established. While not all non-native species become invasive, a substantial number cause significant ecological and economic harm. Florida ranks as one of the top states in the U.S. for invasive species.
Prominent invasive plants include the Brazilian pepper tree and Old World climbing fern. The Brazilian pepper tree, introduced as an ornamental in the mid-1800s, forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation, reduce wildlife habitat, and alter natural fire regimes. The Old World climbing fern, introduced for ornamental purposes and first reported in Florida in the mid-1960s, creates thick mats that smother native plants and trees, carrying ground fires into the tree canopy.
Invasive animals also pose threats. The Burmese python, introduced through the exotic pet trade, has established populations in the Everglades. These apex predators have caused severe declines in native mammal populations, including raccoons, opossums, and bobcats. The green iguana, also introduced through the pet trade, has established populations, particularly in southern Florida. These herbivorous lizards consume native plants, damage landscaping, and undermine infrastructure by digging burrows under seawalls and sidewalks.
In marine environments, the lionfish was first detected off Florida’s Atlantic Coast in the mid-1980s, likely introduced through the aquarium trade. Lionfish are voracious predators of small reef fish, outcompeting native species for food and habitat. Their presence can lead to a decline in native fish populations and encourage the overgrowth of algae on coral reefs.
Ecological and Economic Consequences
The presence of invasive species has significant consequences on Florida’s natural systems and economy. Ecologically, these species degrade habitats, outcompete native plants and animals for resources, and disrupt delicate food webs. They can also introduce new diseases to native wildlife populations that lack natural immunity.
From an economic standpoint, invasive species cause substantial damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and the tourism industry. Invasive plants can reduce agricultural productivity, while animals like green iguanas can damage crops and undermine structures. Impacts on fishing and boating, such as those caused by lionfish affecting fish populations or aquatic plants hindering waterways, result in economic losses. The cost of managing invasive plants alone in Florida is estimated at $100 million annually.
Ongoing Management and Prevention Efforts
Florida employs strategies to manage and prevent the spread of invasive species. Agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) coordinate programs focusing on prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, and management. This includes monitoring programs to identify new introductions and track the spread of established species.
Eradication efforts are pursued where feasible, often involving mechanical removal or chemical treatments for plants, and trapping or hunting for animals. Biological control methods, which introduce natural predators or pathogens, are also utilized for some species, such as the air potato beetle for the air potato vine. Public education campaigns are important in raising awareness and encouraging citizens to report sightings through initiatives like the “Ivegot1” app. Regulations are also in place to restrict the possession and trade of high-risk non-native species to prevent further introductions.