Environmental Impact of Invasive Species on The Florida Everglades

Amanda MillerComposition II. April 18, 2013

Are nonnative, invasive species harmful to Florida’s natural environment?

Here is a short video about invasive animal species in the Florida Everglades:http://youtu.be/jn6IrFqjYLE

Although many may feel that invasive nonnative species being present in the Everglades is simply the way of life, these species may actually be quite harmful to native animals and the environment overall.

How do invasive species get out into the Everglades?

Many people release their unwanted exotic pets into the Everglades

Oftentimes, exotic animals escape from wildlife sanctuaries

Many exotic animals are illegally bred in Florida and sometimes escape

Releasing exotic species is fine because they’re similar to native species

We’ve been wrong before…

In the 1930s everyone thought the walking catfish was going to annihilate native fish populations—it didn’t.

Many accepted “native” species were invasive not that long ago

Invasive species are harmful to the Everglades

Invasive species threaten native species

The Tegu Lizard eats the eggs of the endangered gopher tortoises

The python preys on everything—including the endanger stork

Invasive pythons can even take down Alligators!

http://youtu.be/E4k84KW07Sw

Invasive species bring new diseases to native species

Nonnative species carry foreign bacteria and viruses

The already endangered gopher tortoise is suffering from pet turtle diseases

We are responsible for the impact we make

Humans are directly to blame for the presence of these invasive species in the Everglades

We have to clean up after ourselves

So…

Yes, there are nonnative species that are not harmful to the Florida Everglades

BUT there are some, like the python or the Tegu lizard, that are quite harmful

You shouldn’t release exotic pets into the Everglades

Now What???The Parks and Recreation Department is trying to get a handle on invasive species in the Everglades

There is seasonal hunting for the public allowed to help reduce the python population

It is now illegal to release exotic pets into the Everglades

Just remember, the Everglades are our home too!

http://youtu.be/2IIfJzK2YZg

Works Cited

Beautiful Time Lapse of Everglades Camping. YouTube. YouTube, 07 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.

"Exotic Information." Exotic Information. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

Florida Everglades: Monster Snakes. YouTube. YouTube, 21 June 2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.

"Florida's Invasive Species." Invasive Species List: Invasive Species Threaten Florida Everglades, Wildlife.Web. 06 Apr. 2013.

"Invasive Species." Friends of the Everglades RSS.Web. 06 Apr. 2013.

Invasive Species in Florida. YouTube. YouTube, 05 Oct. 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2013.

"Update on the Environmental and Economic Costs Associated with Alien-invasive Species in the United States.” Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

Wilson, Edward. eds. Simberloff, Daniel, Schmitz, Donald, Brown, Tom. Strangers in Paradise: Impact And Management Of Nonindigenous Species In Florida. Washington, D.C.; Island Press,1997. Print.