Environmental issues in Florida

{{short description|Overview of environmental issues in the U.S. state of Florida}}

There are a number of environmental issues in Florida. A large portion of Florida is a biologically diverse ecosystem, with large wetlands in the Everglades. Management of environmental issues related to the everglades and the larger coastal waters and wetlands have been important to the history of Florida and the development of multiple parts of the economy of Florida, including the influential agricultural industry. This biodiversity leaves much of Florida's ecological ecosystem vulnerable to invasive species and human sources of industrial pollution and waste.

Moreover, because of Florida's low geography, Florida has been described as "ground zero" in the United States for the impacts of climate change in the United States.

Everglades

Image:Everglades ecoregion.jpg

The Everglades are tropical 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 with a $7.8 billion, 30-year project aimed at its preservation and restoration.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mytimes.com/2000/09/26/us/senate-approves-7.8-billion-plan-to-aid-everglades.html?auth=login-email&login=email|title=Senate Approves $7.8 Billion Plan to Aid Everglades|date=September 26, 2000|work=New York Times}}

Biodiversity

The Florida panther is an endangered population of the cougar (Puma concolor). There are about 230 individuals in the wild. The Center for Biological Diversity and others have called for a special protected area for the panther.{{cite news |url=http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/29/16-record-number-panthers-killed-vehicles-2009/ |title=Record number of panthers killed by vehicles in 2009 |last=Williams Hale |first=Leslie |work=Naples News |date=29 December 2009 |access-date=2010-01-01 |archive-date=2010-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205105129/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/dec/29/16-record-number-panthers-killed-vehicles-2009/ |url-status=dead }}

Manatees are also dying at a rate much higher than their reproduction.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BI1RB20091219 |title=2009 a deadly year for Florida's manatees |last=Brown |first=Tom |work=Reuters |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=2010-01-01}}

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.{{cite news| url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E3D8113FF936A3575BC0A9609C8B63 | work=The New York Times | first=Padgett | last=Powell | title=Alligators All Around | date=2006-08-05}}

In 2013, the US Fish and Wildlife Service was examining a list of nine species to see if they should be added to the protected list. These included bridled darter, Panama City crayfish, Suwanee moccasin shell mussel, eastern hellbender salamander, Florida Keys mole skink, MacGillivray's seaside sparrow, boreal toad, Sierra Nevada red fox, and the Bicknell's thrush.

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 to 2010. 25% were traced to a single importer.{{Cite news | title=Invasive species traced to pet trade | url=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110918/lead/lead92.html| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 4B | date=September 16, 2011 }}

=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 invasive.{{cite web |url=http://www.fleppc.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980109165208/http://fleppc.org/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 9, 1998 |title=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council:Facts |publisher=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council |access-date=2008-01-27}} The three most ecologically damaging are Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), which has taken over {{convert|703500|acre|km2|-2}} in south and central Florida, and forms single-species environments; melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), which has invaded {{convert|488800|acre|km2|-2}} - more than 12 percent of total land area in South Florida, and was spreading at an estimated {{convert|50|acre|m2|-2}} per day; and Australian pine (Casuarina spp.) which covered {{convert|372723|acre|km2|-2}}, and whose fallen needles release a chemical into the soil which inhibits the growth of native plants.{{cite web |url=http://hendry.ifas.ufl.edu/text3.htm#MELALEUCA%20ACREAGE |title=Exotic Invasive Plants - "Weeds Gone Wild" |publisher=University of Florida, Hendry County Cooperative Extension Office |access-date=2008-01-27}}

In 2013, five rare butterflies, indigenous to Florida, haven't been seen in over six years. These include the zestos skipper, rockland Meske's skipper, zarucco duskywing, nickerbean blue, and the Bahamian swallowtail. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is reluctant to declare them extinct because other butterfly species have been "rediscovered" after long periods of not being seen by man.{{Cite news| title=Rare state butterflies may be extinct| url=http://www.bradenton.com/2013/04/27/4501726/scientist-5-rare-fla-butterflies.html| newspaper=Florida Today| location=Melbourne, Florida| pages=1A| date=April 28, 2013}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is the most significant invasive aquatic plant species in the state;{{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrinex.html |title=Invasive Nonindigenous Plants in Florida:Hydrilla |publisher=University of Florida, IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants |access-date=2008-01-29| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080127080347/http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/hydrinex.html| archive-date = January 27, 2008}} aggressive biological, chemical and mechanical management has reduced the effects of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes){{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/eiccra2.html |title=Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:Eichhornia crassipes |author=Ramey, Victor |date=August 2001 |publisher=Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida |access-date=2008-01-30| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080120001832/http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/eiccra2.html| archive-date = January 20, 2008}} and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes).{{cite web |url=http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/pisstr2.html |title=Non-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States:Pistia stratiotes|author=Ramey, Victor |date=August 2001 |publisher=Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida |access-date=2008-01-30| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080120001837/http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/seagrant/pisstr2.html| archive-date = January 20, 2008}}

=Fauna=

Due in part to its prevalence in the exotic pet trade,{{cite web |url=http://www.fws.gov/floridapanther/exotics/exotics_abstracts2006.html |title=Emergency Response to Reptile & Amphibian Releases Especially the Nile Monitor Lizards |author=Campbell, Todd |publisher=US Fish and Wildlife Service |access-date=2008-01-30| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511092008/http://www.fws.gov/floridapanther/exotics/exotics_abstracts2006.html| archive-date = May 11, 2008}} Florida has a large number of non-native species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tracks 31 species of mammals,{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=M |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623083032/http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=M |archive-date=2007-06-23 |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 31 Mammal species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |access-date=2008-01-30}} 196 species of birds,{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=B |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623083032/http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=B |archive-date=2007-06-23 |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 196 Bird species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |access-date=2008-01-30}} 48 species of reptiles,{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=R |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070623083032/http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=R |archive-date=2007-06-23 |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 48 Reptile species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |access-date=2008-01-30}} 4 species of amphibians,{{cite web |url=http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=A |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512090928/http://myfwc.com/nonnatives/exotics/resultsClass.asp?taxclass=A |archive-date=2008-05-12 |title=Florida's Exotic Wildlife: status for 4 Amphibian species |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |access-date=2008-01-30}} and 55 species of fish{{cite web |url=http://floridafisheries.com/pdf/Exotic%20List.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007150259/http://floridafisheries.com/pdf/Exotic%20List.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-07 |title=List of exotic freshwater fishes collected from Florida fresh waters |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |date=August 2007 |access-date=2008-01-30 |format=PDF}} 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),{{cite web |url=https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/cane-toad |title=Species Profiles:Cane Toad |publisher=USDA National Invasive Species Information Center |access-date=2008-01-30}} Gambian pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus),{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-01-03-fla-rats_x.htm |title=Large Gambian rats have Keys officials worried |agency=Associated Press |date=3 January 2005 |access-date=2008-01-30}} Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus),{{cite web|url=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2005/3/reptilefeature.cfm |title=Florida's Creeping Crawlers: A Potential Nightmare in the Mangroves |author=Youth, Howard |date=May–June 2005 |publisher=Zoogoer |access-date=2008-01-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080101191144/http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Publications/ZooGoer/2005/3/reptilefeature.cfm |archive-date=January 1, 2008 }} and Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus),{{cite news |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1028_051028_pythons.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031042705/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1028_051028_pythons.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 31, 2005 |title=Invasive Pythons Squeezing Florida Everglades |author=Mott, Maryann |date=28 October 2005 |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=2008-01-30}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://floridaconservation.org/fishing/Fishes/non-native.html |title=Florida's Exotic Freshwater Fishes |publisher=Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |access-date=2008-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016165015/http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/Fishes/non-native.html |archive-date=October 16, 2007 }}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/invasive/4fireant.html |title=Not all alien invaders are from outer space |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |access-date=2007-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061001083234/http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/pubs/invasive/4fireant.html |archive-date=October 1, 2006 }}

Fungus endangering some non-native palms

Native fusarium wilt is endangering several types of palm trees including the non-native queen palms, and the Washingtonia palms. The fungus is apparently being spread by humans using unsanitized power tools.{{Cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer | title=Florida's own fungus devastates some palms | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20140322/NEWS01/303220028/Florida-s-own-fungus-devastates-some-palms| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 3A, 6A | date=March 22, 2014 | access-date=March 22, 2014}}

Waste in Florida

Florida's 18 million residents (21 million as of 2020) and 80 million visitors generated over {{convert|32|ST}} million of solid waste in 1859.{{cite news | first=Jim | last=Waymer | title=Recyclers can scrap sorting | url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100523/NEWS01/100522011/1006/Recyclers+can+scrap+sorting | newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages=1A | date=23 May 1859 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Increasing landfill space has been an issue. In 1959 landfill space cost about $400,000 per {{convert|1|acre}}.

In 1859, the state had the goal of recycling 75% of its waste by 1869. 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.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}{{When|date=February 2024}}

Pollution and waste

In 2010, in the state, there were 44 federal Superfund sites, 101 brownfields, 13,527 petroleum cleanups and more than 3,000 other sites with dry-cleaning fluids or other hazardous waste.{{cite news | first=Paul | last=Flemming | title=Capital Ideas column:Candidates let the sun shine in | url=http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20100319/OPINION05/3190302/1006/opinion/Paul-Flemming-Web-sites-put-more-in-the-sunshine| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida | pages= 10B | date=21 March 2010 }} Drinking water is at risk because the water table is so shallow.{{Cite news | first=Ledyard | last=King | title=Cleanup of fuel tanks in jeopardy | url=http://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/local/florida/2017/08/31/trump-cut-leaking-fuel-tank-cleanups-could-leave-florida-fuming/623467001/| newspaper=Florida Today | location=Melbourne, Florida| pages= 1A | date=September 1, 2017 | access-date=September 1, 2017}}

Phosphorus mining is also an important part of the local economy. Tailing ponds from the mines are vulnerable to breach and contamination of the local environment from the radioactive byproduct called phosphogypsum.{{cite journal|last1=Tayibi|first1=Hanan|last2=Choura|first2=Mohamed|last3=López|first3=Félix A.|last4=Alguacil|first4=Francisco J.|last5=López-Delgado|first5=Aurora|year=2009|title=Environmental Impact and Management of Phosphogypsum|journal=Journal of Environmental Management|volume=90|issue=8|pages=2377–2386|doi=10.1016/j.jenvman.2009.03.007|pmid=19406560|hdl-access=free|hdl=10261/45241}} In 2021, one of the dams breached at Piney Point phosphate plant into the Tampa Bay.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-05|title=Florida faces imminent collapse of giant phosphate mine pond|url=https://www.mining.com/florida-faces-imminent-collapse-of-giant-phosphate-mine-pond/|access-date=2021-04-16|website=MINING.COM|language=en-US}}

Because of its marine origins, Florida soil is naturally high in phosphorus.{{cite web |url= http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/ldspmgt/Ldsp%20Turf%20Mgmt/PDFfiles/SL181.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930210535/http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/ldspmgt/Ldsp%20Turf%20Mgmt/PDFfiles/SL181.pdf |archive-date=2013-09-30 }} Coupled with fertilizer, this often has resulted in excessive phosphorus in water runoff to nearby bodies of water. As a result, Florida has required certain municipalities to limit the application of fertilizer containing phosphorus.{{cite web|url = http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0076.htm|title = State Laws Banning Phosphorus Fertilizer Use|first1 = Kristen L. |last =Miller|date = February 1, 2012|publisher = Connecticut General Assembly}}

Climate change

References

External links

[http://www.environmentflorida.org/ Environment Florida] - a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization
[https://web.archive.org/web/20091212235258/http://florida.sierraclub.org/enviro_issues.asp Sierra Club Florida] - environmental issues