Red lionfish, originally from the Indo-Pacific region, use their large pectoral fins to funnel basically anything that fits in their mouth. They were introduced to Florida by aquarium trade for aesthetic purposes and can lay 15 to 30 thousand eggs about once a week in some areas. They damage the economy by eating reef fish species and ecologically by eating critters that clean rocks for coral to grow.
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world averaging between six and seven feet long, but the largest Burmese caught in Florida measured over 18 feet in length. They feed on a wide array of pests and can consume meals equivalent to 100% of their body mass. They have few predators because of their large size and commonly eat native Florida species that are threatened or endangered.
The enlarged glands behind a cane toad’s eyes secrete a potent milky-white toxin called bufotoxin that is a defense against predators including domestic pets. Cane toads are often confused with the native southern toad – a great way to tell the difference is in their size. While an adult southern toad only grows to three or four inches, the cane toad generally ranges between six to nine inches in length.
Green iguanas cause damage to landscape vegetation on a residential and commercial level. They can also cause damage to infrastructure by digging burrows that erode and collapse sidewalks, seawalls, and canal banks. Their feces may also contain salmonella that are often left on docks, seawalls, porches, decks, and inside swimming pools. There have been some cases where green iguanas have consumed native and endangered species.
The Brazilian pepper is a small shrub-like tree that is the most widespread of Florida’s invasive plant species, occupying more than 700,000 acres. Racoons and opossums are the primary source of dispersal for the species, and it has an aggressive growth rate. The Brazilian pepper can alter natural fire regimens, are considered a poor habitat for native wildlife species, and shade out almost all other plant life.
Florida is facing a crucial issue with invasive species disrupting the natural balance of the ecosystem, having detrimental effects on both the environment and the economy. Scuba Marco invited guest speaker Michael Sipos to give an informative presentation on invasive species to spark this essential conversation. Sipos is a Marine Extension Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Collier County. His work varies based on the needs of the community which includes environmental literacy with the Conservancy, Zoo, and Rookery Bay. His presentation focused on terminology, why invasive species thrive in Florida, and their economical and ecological impact.
What’s the Difference Between a Non-Native Species and an Invasive Species?
The Brazilian pepper is a small shrub-like tree that is the most widespread of Florida’s invasive plant species, occupying more than 700,000 acres. Racoons and opossums are the primary source of dispersal for the species, and it has an aggressive growth rate. The Brazilian pepper can alter natural fire regimens, are considered a poor habitat for native wildlife species, and shade out almost all other plant life.
All invasive species are non-native species, but not all non-native species are invasive. Both are from geographically different origins from which they reside currently, but invasive species are required to meet certain criteria to be considered invasive. First, they must be brought over by humans intentionally or unintentionally. Invasive species must also cause economic or human harm or have the potential to. Without meeting these criteria, the species is only considered non-native. An invasive species can be plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, or pathogens.
Burmese pythons are one of the largest snakes in the world averaging between six and seven feet long, but the largest Burmese caught in Florida measured over 18 feet in length. They feed on a wide array of pests and can consume meals equivalent to 100% of their body mass. They have few predators because of their large size and commonly eat native Florida species that are threatened or endangered.
Characteristics of Non-Native Species
In the United States there are around 50,000 non-native species. Most cause little to no threat, but they are one of the leading causes of extinction. For example, 400 of the 1,300 species on the endangered species list are impacted by non-native species. However, we rely on non-native species for our food consumption; 98% of our U.S. food supply consists of non-native species and it’s worth over 800 billion dollars annually.
Characteristics of Invasive Species
Invasive species have incredibly fast growth rates that can outcompete that of native species in the area. With their shorter reproduction time they can produce numerous offspring and disperse themselves in multiple environments. At this point, they frequently become established meaning they create a self-reproducing population capable of having different size classes. They’re also great at tolerating many environments and make use of their resources, often disturbing the natural evolution of the area and adding to the loss of biodiversity. Invasive species damage ecological systems as well as the economy; there are millions of dollars that go into management, restoration, and research.
The enlarged glands behind a cane toad’s eyes secrete a potent milky-white toxin called bufotoxin that is a defense against predators including domestic pets. Cane toads are often confused with the native southern toad – a great way to tell the difference is in their size. While an adult southern toad only grows to three or four inches, the cane toad generally ranges between six to nine inches in length.
Green iguanas cause damage to landscape vegetation on a residential and commercial level. They can also cause damage to infrastructure by digging burrows that erode and collapse sidewalks, seawalls, and canal banks. Their feces may also contain salmonella that are often left on docks, seawalls, porches, decks, and inside swimming pools. There have been some cases where green iguanas have consumed native and endangered species.
How Do They Get Here?
Normally geographic barriers such as mountain ranges or rivers keep animals in their respected habitats and people are the ones who bring them to new areas. Sometimes species are introduced for aesthetic reasons, like people wanting to own a pretty fish or plant, then they are later released or spread into the environment. Other times they are brought here as food or as a protective measure to keep another species in check, an attempt that eventually backfires.
Why is Florida so Special?
In Florida we have over 8,000 miles of tributary coastline, bringing in tens of millions of visitors every year. Being a trade hotspot, we have over 30 ports of entry that brings in six million tons of perishable cargo every year. The combination of people and plants coming in can introduce plenty of non-native species within itself. Then there’s the warm habitat that critters tend to love just as much as the locals. “Florida is almost ground zero for invasive species,” says Sipos. We’re connected to the mainland so some of our species might be radiating out of Florida affecting other places in the United States. I think we’re probably the most effective over any other place in the world at spreading invasive species. We potentially have the most impact from our interconnectivity and open borders allowing for trade.” To make the situation worse, there are 1,400 non-native plant species in Florida allowing a high chance for invasive species to find a pollinator or host. The already disturbed habitats permit invasive species to re-populate the areas that natives have been pushed out of, creating a blank canvas with no competitors.
Red lionfish, originally from the Indo-Pacific region, use their large pectoral fins to funnel basically anything that fits in their mouth. They were introduced to Florida by aquarium trade for aesthetic purposes and can lay 15 to 30 thousand eggs about once a week in some areas. They damage the economy by eating reef fish species and ecologically by eating critters that clean rocks for coral to grow.
Economic Impact
The United States spends about 120 billion dollars a year on prevention, detection, and containment of invasive species. This number may even be underrepresented when we consider that one in seven jobs in Collier County is dependent on tourism. One of the biggest draws to our area is natural ecosystems, so invasive species could be impacting the industry’s jobs as well. Prevention is the cheapest way to tackle the issue and education can be one of the greatest precautions. Early detection and rapid response are the next line of action to defend against invasive species, but there has been no successful eradication of an established reptile, fish, or amphibian in the state of Florida.
The unchecked spread of invasive species can have devastating consequences for native wildlife, ecosystems, and industries. Efforts to control invasive species in Florida are ongoing, with state agencies and conservation organizations collaborating on strategies to manage these damaging invaders. Public awareness campaigns and regulations on the importation and possession of exotic creatures are some of the ways Florida is addressing their negative impacts. You can help the FWC by reporting non-native species on their website; the information helps them assess the distribution, abundance, and new arrival of the species in Florida.
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