Environmental issues in Florida
Encyclopedia
There are a number of environmental issue
s in Florida
but the human impact on the Everglades
is the largest with a $7.8 billion, 30-year project aimed at its preservation and restoration.
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.
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.
Manatees are also dying at a rate much higher than their reproduction.
In 1977, the federal government placed alligators on the endangered list. They were removed from the endangered list in 1987 and Florida permitted selective hunting in 1988.
. The three most ecologically damaging are Brazilian pepper
(Schinus terebinthifolius), which has taken over 703500 acres (2,847 km²) in south and central Florida, and forms single-species environments; Melaleuca
(Melaleuca quinquenervia), which has invaded 488800 acres (1,978.1 km²) - more than 12 percent of total land area in South Florida, and was spreading at an estimated 50 acres (202,343 m²) per day; and Australian Pine (Casuarina spp) which covered 372723 acres (1,508.4 km²), and whose fallen needles release a chemical into the soil which inhibits the growth of native plants.
Hydrilla
(Hydrilla verticilatta) is the most significant invasive aquatic plant
species in the state; aggressive biological, chemical and mechanical management has reduced the effects of water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).
trade, Florida has a large number of non-native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tracks 31 species of mammals, 196 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, and 55 species of fish 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), Gambian Pouched Rat
(Cricetomys gambianus), Nile monitor
(Varanus niloticus), and Burmese Python
(Python molurus bivittatus), 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.
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.
Increasing landfill
space has been an issue. In 2010 landfill space cost about $400,000 per 1 acre (0.404686 ha).
In 2010, the state had the goal of recycling 75% of its waste by 2020. Municipal experiments in "Single-stream recycling
" disposal seemed to indicate that this goal might be achievable.
St. Lucie County
is planning to experiment with burning trash through plasma arc gasification
to generate energy and reduce landfill space.
sites, 101 brownfields, 13,527 petroleum cleanups and more than 3,000 other sites with dry-cleaning fluids or other hazardous waste.
Environmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
s in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
but the human impact on the Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
is the largest with a $7.8 billion, 30-year project aimed at its preservation and restoration.
Everglades
Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, i.e., to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands now and in the future, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural,...
as one of only three wetland areas of global importance. A restoration of the Everglades
Restoration of the Everglades
The restoration of the Everglades is an ongoing effort to remedy damage inflicted on the environment of southern Florida during the 20th century. It is the most expensive and comprehensive environmental repair attempt in history. The degradation of the Everglades became an issue in the United...
is being carried out.
Biodiversity
The Florida pantherFlorida Panther
The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of cougar that lives in forests and swamps of southern Florida in the United States. Its current taxonomic status is unresolved, but recent genetic research alone does not alter the legal conservation status...
is close to extinction
Extinction
In biology and ecology, extinction is the end of an organism or of a group of organisms , normally a species. The moment of extinction is generally considered to be the death of the last individual of the species, although the capacity to breed and recover may have been lost before this point...
. 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
Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity based in Tucson, Arizona, is a nonprofit membership organization with approximately 220,000 members and online activists, known for its work protecting endangered species through legal action and scientific petitions...
and others have therefore called for a special protected area
Protected area
Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognised natural, ecological and/or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international...
for the panther to be established.
Manatees are also dying at a rate much higher than their reproduction.
In 1977, the federal government placed alligators on the endangered list. They were removed from the endangered list in 1987 and Florida permitted selective hunting in 1988.
Invasive species
The state has more invasive amphibians and reptiles than anyplace else in the world. The pet industry was responsible for 84% of the 137 non-native species introduced from 1863-2010. 25% were traced to a single importer.Flora
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 invasiveInvasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
. The three most ecologically damaging are Brazilian pepper
Brazilian pepper
Schinus terebinthifolius is a species of flowering plant in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae, that is native to subtropical and tropical South America...
(Schinus terebinthifolius), which has taken over 703500 acres (2,847 km²) in south and central Florida, and forms single-species environments; Melaleuca
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as Niaouli or Broad-leaved paperbark or the Paper Bark Tea Tree, is a small- to medium-sized tree of the allspice family, Myrtaceae. The plant is native to New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and coastal Eastern Australia, from Botany Bay in New South Wales...
(Melaleuca quinquenervia), which has invaded 488800 acres (1,978.1 km²) - more than 12 percent of total land area in South Florida, and was spreading at an estimated 50 acres (202,343 m²) per day; and Australian Pine (Casuarina spp) which covered 372723 acres (1,508.4 km²), and whose fallen needles release a chemical into the soil which inhibits the growth of native plants.
Hydrilla
Hydrilla
Hydrilla is an aquatic plant genus, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species. Synonyms include H. asiatica, H. japonica, H. lithuanica, and H. ovalifolica...
(Hydrilla verticilatta) is the most significant invasive aquatic plant
Aquatic plant
Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also referred to as hydrophytes or aquatic macrophytes. These plants require special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface. Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is...
species in the state; aggressive biological, chemical and mechanical management has reduced the effects of water hyacinth
Water hyacinth
The seven species of water hyacinth comprise the genus Eichhornia. Water hyacinth are a free-floating perennial aquatic plant native to tropical and sub-tropical South America. With broad, thick, glossy, ovate leaves, water hyacinth may rise above the surface of the water as much as 1 meter in...
(Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).
Fauna
Due in part to its prevalence in the exotic petExotic pet
An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal pet, or an animal kept as a pet which is not commonly thought of as a pet.The definition is an evolving one; some rodents, reptiles, and amphibians have become firmly enough established in the world of animal fancy to no longer be considered exotic...
trade, Florida has a large number of non-native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tracks 31 species of mammals, 196 species of birds, 48 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians, and 55 species of fish 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
Cane Toad
The Cane Toad , also known as the Giant Neotropical Toad or Marine Toad, is a large, terrestrial true toad which is native to Central and South America, but has been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania and the Caribbean...
(Bufo marinus), Gambian Pouched Rat
Gambian pouched rat
The Gambian pouched rat , also known as the African giant pouched rat, is a nocturnal pouched rat of the giant pouched rat genus Cricetomys. It is among the largest muroids in the world, growing up to about long including their tail which makes up half their length...
(Cricetomys gambianus), Nile monitor
Nile monitor
The Nile Monitor, Water Leguaan, or River Leguaan is a large member of the monitor lizard family ....
(Varanus niloticus), and Burmese Python
Burmese Python
The Burmese Python is the largest subspecies of the Indian Python and one of the 6 largest snakes in the world, native to a large variation of tropic and subtropic areas of Southern- and Southeast Asia. They are often found near water and are sometimes semi-aquatic, but can also be found in trees...
(Python molurus bivittatus), 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.
Since their accidental importation from South America into North America in the 1930s, the red imported fire ant
Red imported fire ant
See main article Fire ant.The red imported fire ant , or simply RIFA, is one of over 280 species in the widespread genus Solenopsis...
population has increased its territorial range to include most of the Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, including Florida. They are more aggressive than most native ant species and have a painful sting.
Waste
Florida's 18 million residents and 80 million visitors generated over 32 short tons (28.6 LT) million of solid waste in 2010.Increasing landfill
Landfill
A landfill site , is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment...
space has been an issue. In 2010 landfill space cost about $400,000 per 1 acre (0.404686 ha).
In 2010, the state had the goal of recycling 75% of its waste by 2020. Municipal experiments in "Single-stream recycling
Single-stream recycling
Single stream recycling refers to a system in which all paper fibers, plastics, metals, and other containers are mixed together in a collection truck, instead of being sorted into separate commodities by the resident and handled separately throughout the collection...
" disposal seemed to indicate that this goal might be achievable.
St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County, Florida
St. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
is planning to experiment with burning trash through plasma arc gasification
Plasma arc waste disposal
Plasma arc gasification or Plasma Gasification Process abbreviated PGP is a waste treatment technology that uses electrical energy and the high temperatures created by an electric arc gasifier. This arc breaks down waste primarily into elemental gas and solid waste , in a device called a plasma...
to generate energy and reduce landfill space.
Pollution
In 2010 there were, in the state, 44 federal SuperfundSuperfund
Superfund is the common name for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 , a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances...
sites, 101 brownfields, 13,527 petroleum cleanups and more than 3,000 other sites with dry-cleaning fluids or other hazardous waste.
See also
- Environmental issues in Brevard County
- Environmental Impact of the Big Cypress Swamp JetportEnvironmental Impact of the Big Cypress Swamp JetportThe "Environmental Impact of the Big Cypress Swamp Jetport", unofficially known as the "Leopold Report" or the "Leopold-Marshall Report", was a report authored by hydrologist Luna Leopold of the United States Geological Service for the Department of the Interior and officially released on September...
("Leopold Report" or the "Leopold-Marshall Report"), a report from the Department of the Interior released in 1969 - Carl HiaasenCarl HiaasenCarl Hiaasen is an American journalist, columnist and novelist.- Early years :Born in 1953 and raised in Plantation, Florida, of Norwegian heritage, Hiaasen was the first of four children and the son of a lawyer, Kermit Odel, and teacher, Patricia...
, a writer who has described environmental issues in a newspaper column and fictional books
External links
- Environment Florida - a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization
- Sierra Club Florida - environmental issues