The Center for Natural Resources
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Florida's natural ecosystems are increasingly coming under attack by invading
exotic species which displace native species, thereby degrading the diversity
of floral and faunal resources. Florida has ecosystems not found in the other
47 contiguous states, and it also has more non-native species than any state
other than Hawaii. Many of these species have become sufficiently abundant or
otherwise destructive to be considered pests. Faculty members at the
University of Florida are conducting research and outreach programs to better
understand and control these exotic invasive species.
Plants
With its plant-friendly south temperate / subtropical climate and an ongoing
influx of human "transplants," Florida particularly suffers from the
introduction and unchecked growth of exotic plants. Almost half (1,180) of the
3,834 plant species found in Florida have arrived here since European
occupation.
Because plants are the base of the food chain, exotic "takeovers" can
jeopardize plant-dependent wildlife and the whole ecosystem. The Florida Exotic
Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) has identified 64 non-native invasive species that
are invading and disrupting native plant communities (1999 list). Plant pests
include hydrilla, old world climbing fern, and melaleuca.
Click image for fullsize.
Figure 1. Hyacinth
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Control
Management of invasive plants include mechanical removal, herbicides, fire,
pathogens (often fungal plant-eaters), and biocontrol (using species-specific
natural enemies -- often insects).
Contacts
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Randall Stocker
Director of UF / IFAS Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
(352) 392-6841
aqplants@mail.ifas.ufl.edu
Kenneth Langeland
UF/IFAS Agronomy Dept.
(352) 392-9614
kal@ifas.ufl.edu
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Web Sites
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UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic & Invasive Plants
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu
The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
http://fleppc.org/
Bureau of Invasive Plant Management
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/lands/invaspec/index.htm
Plant Protection & Quarantine
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/
Division of Plant Industries
Florida Dept. of Agriculture Consumer Services (FDACS)
http://doacs.state.fl.us/~pi
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Wildlife
In Florida, at least 60 species of exotic birds have bred in the wild. Despite
this fact, the chance of persisting survival of non-indigenous birds is
uncertain. Among those species which have survived and thrived as pests are
muscovy ducks, rock doves, European starlings, house sparrows, and monk
parakeets.
Though troublesome in other respects, some species (such as feral pigs) are
important as prey for native predators (Florida panthers) and serve as an
attraction for hunters. However, negative impacts from invasive species
include habitat destruction, competition with native species, predation,
hybridization, disease and parasites. Florida mammal pests include the Norway
rat, roof rat, house mouse, and feral pig.
Click image for fullsize.
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Figure 2. The Cuban treefrog: One of thousands of species invading Florida's
ecosystem.
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Control
While dealing with management of invasive wildlife, emphasis has been on
preventing future invaders (such as the mongoose) from settling.
Contacts
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William Kern
Ft. Lauderdale REC
(954) 577-3600
whk@ufl.edu
Bernice Constantin
USDA APHIS Wildlife Services
(352) 377-5556
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Web Sites
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
http://www.fws.gov
Insects
Annually, insect pests cause an estimated $1 billion in damages in Florida, and
many of the worst pests are non-indigenous. According to entomologist Dr. John
Capinera, 12-18 invading species become established in Florida annually. These
non-natives arrive by flying, walking, swimming, rafting and by stowing away on
cargo (often on infested plants commercially imported).
Control
Management of exotic pests includes slowing their influx by tightening
inspection at the borders and finding other environmentally benign means of
control.
Contacts
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Howard Frank
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(352) 392-1901
jhf@ifas.ufl.edu
Jim Cuda
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(352) 392-1901
jcuda@ifas.ufl.edu
John Capinera, Chair
UF/IFAS Entomology & Nematology Dept.
(392) 1901
jlcap@IFAS.UFL.EDU
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Web Sites
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Division of Plant Industry, FDACS
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/~pi/
Featured Creatures, UF & FDACS
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/index.htm
Pest Alert, UF/IFAS
http://extlab1.entnem.ufl.edu/PestAlert/
Pest Exclusion, APHIS: USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/
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Books & Articles
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Strangers in Paradise
Simberloff, Daniel, ed. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 1997.
Extension Digital Information System (EDIS), UF/IFAS
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/
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Footnotes
1.
This publication is CNR 8; Program Summary Series, first published September
2000 by the Center for Natural Resources at the University of Florida. 1051
McCarty Hall D. Post Office Box 110230. Tel: (352) 392-7622 Fax: (352) 846-2856
E-mail: cnr_mail@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu Web:
http://cnr.ifas.ufl.edu/
2.
Joe Schaefer, Director; Nancy Peterson, Coordinator; Sonya Anderson, Staff;
Dana Littlefield, Staff
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other
extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service
office.
Florida Cooperative Extension Service / Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences /
University of Florida / Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food
and Agricultural
Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all
rights under all conventions,
but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative
Extension Service and the
people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these
materials in part or in full
for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS,
citing
the publication, its source, and date of publication.
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