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FLORIDA INVASIVE SPECIES
Florida brought in Old World climbing fern as an ornamental; the vine later smothered more than 100,000 acres and can carry ground fires into tree canopiesOnce admired for its ornamental beauty, the old world climbing fern has now wreaked havoc on Florida's ecosystems. This invasive plant grow...
In 1830, chinaberry was introduced to the US as an ornamental tree; it later spread into forests across the SouthChinaberry trees, initially brought to the Southern U.S. in the 1830s for their beauty, have proliferated extensively. These invasive speci...
Florida planted Australian pine for shade, windbreaks, and storm protection; by 1993, the fast-growing tree had invaded more than 372,000 acresAustralian pines were brought to Florida in the 1800s as a means of protecting against storms and enhancing landscapes. By 1993, however, t...
Japanese climbing fern came to the US as an ornamental; it now spreads across at least 6 Southern states, climbing over trees and helping fire reach their crownsJapanese climbing ferns, introduced for ornamental purposes, have proliferated across southern forests since the early 1900s. These ferns p...
Before 1850, Americans grew Dyer’s woad for blue dye; in the Great Basin, one infestation later grew from 12,000 to 150,000 acres in eight yearsDyer's woad, once used for blue dye, has become an invasive species in the American West. This plant produces a high number of seeds and th...
Researchers release a 16ft and 150-pound female Burmese python into the Greater Everglades to test a technology that might help remove snakes of her own speciesResearchers at the US Geological Survey have released a radio-tagged Burmese python into the Everglades. This experiment aims to improve tr...
In 1921, America introduced cogongrass as a forage crop; later used for soil control, the invasive grass now covers more than 1 million acres in FloridaCogongrass was brought to the United States in the early 20th century with the noble goal of supporting agriculture and curbing erosion. Ho...
Florida pays up to $30 an hour to hunt Burmese pythons; contractors also get bonuses for bigger snakesFlorida is incentivising contractors to help combat the invasive Burmese python population through a conservation program offering hourly w...
Florida researchers used 90 robotic rabbits to catch Burmese pythons. What happened next even scientists couldn't believeResearchers in Florida's Everglades have turned to creativity in their fight against invasive Burmese pythons by designing robotic rabbits....
177 Burmese pythons weighing 8,080 pounds removed from the Everglades in Florida: Here’s how scientists pulled off this benchmark operation in a few monthsSouth Florida has witnessed a remarkable wildlife management operation this spring, with conservation teams capturing a record 177 Burmese ...
Florida biologists remove 177 invasisve Burmese pythons weighing over 8,000 pounds. Stops 4,100 eggs from entering the ecosystem. Still there is a much bigger problemFlorida wildlife researchers conducted a significant removal effort by capturing 177 Burmese pythons and recovering 4,100 eggs. This remova...
Florida doesn't know where invasive giant Burmese pythons are hiding in the Everglades. So scientists are following the malesIn Florida, scientists are cleverly using male Burmese pythons equipped with transmitters to track down their breeding groups. These males ...
At 16, this Florida student designed bird-monitoring project. Her research found some bird populations rose by to 159% after restorationAt just seven years old, Sophia Haakman's passion for conservation sparked when she began cultivating butterflies. Today, her research high...
In 1989, just 26 tiny snails remained on a Pacific island after a disastrous human experiment. Now 17,000 are backIn 1989, just 26 Partula nodosa snails remained after a failed biological-control effort nearly wiped out the species. The survivors were s...
In Florida’s Everglades, Burmese pythons are helping scientists track pollutionIn Florida's Everglades, Burmese pythons are unexpectedly aiding scientists in pollution research. By accumulating harmful substances like ...
In 2024, Florida scientists found a hidden trail left behind by invasive snakes — their DNA can linger in water and soil even after they disappearA 2024 study by Florida scientists found that invasive snakes can be detected through traces of DNA left behind in water and soil. The new ...
In 2009, Key West sank the 523-foot Vandenberg in 140 feet of water; one year later, REEF monitoring had documented 123 fish species on the former shipIn 2009, the retired missile ship Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was deliberately sunk near Key West, giving rise to a significant artificial reef...
Since 1965, Florida has used the alligatorweed flea beetle to control invasive mats; once established, it can cause them to collapse within about 3 monthsA small but mighty insect, the alligatorweed flea beetle, has proven to be an efficient guardian against the spread of invasive alligatorwe...
In 1985, the first invasive lionfish spotted off Florida after aquarium release; in three decades, they spread from Gulf of Mexico to the southern CaribbeanThe invasive lionfish, first introduced in the 1980s, has quickly proliferated across the Western Atlantic, extending its reach from Florid...
In 1884, Louisiana displayed South American water hyacinth for its lavender flowers; within decades, floating mats covered 126,000 Florida acres and blocked waterwaysOriginating in 1884, water hyacinth transformed into a significant nuisance for Florida by the 1950s. This aggressive floating plant overto...