Invasive species in Florida are introduced organisms that cause damage to the environment, human economy, or human health in Florida. [1] Native plants and animals in Florida are threatened by the spread of invasive species. [2] Florida is a major biodiversity hotspot in North America and the hospitable sub-tropical climate has also become a hotspot for invasive plants and animals due to anthropogenic introduction. [3] [4]
The non-governmental organization FISC published the following list of invasive plant species in 2023. [171] Formerly known as Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council (FLEPPC), the council changed its name to Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC) to retire outdated terminology. [172] [173]
Three species have been added to Category I since 2019, and Category II now includes four additional species. [174] [175] [176] The watch list from FISC highlights species of concern which are not yet included in the Category I or II lists. [177]
The FISC list is a recommendation for natural resource managers, environmental education, and volunteer removal, but is not regulatory by law. [173] State regulated plant species are listed in the State of Florida Noxious Weed List, and the State of Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plants List. [178] Many of the non-native plant species documented in Florida are assessed for invasive potential by UF/IFAS. [179]
FISC describes Category I species as plants which displace native species, disrupt ecological functions, or hybridize with native species. [180] Category II species have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species, but may be assigned to Category I if enough negative impact is reported. [180]
*Species added in 2023
Tilapia is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the coelotilapine, coptodonine, heterotilapine, oreochromine, pelmatolapiine, and tilapiine tribes, with the economically most important species placed in the Coptodonini and Oreochromini. Tilapia are mainly freshwater fish inhabiting shallow streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes, and less commonly found living in brackish water. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisanal fishing in Africa, and they are of increasing importance in aquaculture and aquaponics. Tilapia can become a problematic invasive species in new warm-water habitats such as Australia, whether deliberately or accidentally introduced, but generally not in temperate climates due to their inability to survive in cold water.
The Nassau grouper is one of the large number of perciform fishes in the family Serranidae commonly referred to as groupers. It is the most important of the groupers for commercial fishery in the West Indies, but has been endangered by overfishing.
Hawadax Island is an island in the Rat Islands archipelago of the western Aleutian Islands in the U.S. state of Alaska. The island was formerly known as Rat Island until May 2012 when it was renamed Hawadax Island, which is an Aleut name meaning "entry" and "welcome". The island has a land area of 10.3126 sq mi (26.7095 km²) and no permanent population. It is within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is 9.3 miles (15 km) in length and 3.1 miles (5 km) in width.
The gafftopsail catfish is a species of marine catfish found in the waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It has long, venomous spines which can cause painful wounds. It feeds on crustaceans and other fish. The male of the species fertilizes the eggs of the female, and broods them in his mouth until they hatch. The gafftopsail feeds throughout the water column. This fish is a common catch in the Southeastern US, although it may be found as far north as New York. They are considered strong fighters by anglers. They are taken from piers, jetties, reefs, and the surf, as well as bottom fishing or flats fishing. They are caught with hard lures as well as soft plastics, cut bait, and live or dead shrimp. Some fishermen use traps for catfish, a method regulated by some states.
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, invasive species, and climate change. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List lists the global conservation status of many species, and various other agencies assess the status of species within particular areas. Many nations have laws that protect conservation-reliant species which, for example, forbid hunting, restrict land development, or create protected areas. Some endangered species are the target of extensive conservation efforts such as captive breeding and habitat restoration.
Wetland conservation is aimed at protecting and preserving areas of land including marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens that are covered by water seasonally or permanently due to a variety of threats from both natural and anthropogenic hazards. Some examples of these hazards include habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species. Wetland vary widely in their salinity levels, climate zones, and surrounding geography and play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem services, and support human communities. Wetlands cover at least six percent of the Earth and have become a focal issue for conservation due to the ecosystem services they provide. More than three billion people, around half the world's population, obtain their basic water needs from inland freshwater wetlands. They provide essential habitats for fish and various wildlife species, playing a vital role in purifying polluted waters and mitigating the damaging effects of floods and storms. Furthermore, they offer a diverse range of recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, photography, and wildlife observation.
Burmese pythons are native to Southeast Asia. However, since the end of the 20th century, they have become an established breeding population in South Florida. The earliest python sightings in Florida date back to the 1930s and although Burmese pythons were first sighted in Everglades National Park in the 1990s, they were not officially recognized as a reproducing population until 2000. Since then, the number of python sightings has exponentially increased with over 30,000 sightings from 2008 to 2010.
Pentanema britannica, the British yellowhead or meadow fleabane, is a Eurasian species of plant in the daisy family. It is widespread across much of Europe and Asia, and sparingly naturalized in scattered locations in North America.
Invasive species are a crucial threat to many native habitats and species of the United States and a significant cost to agriculture, forestry, and recreation. An invasive species refers to an organism that is not native to a specific region, this poses significant economic and environmental threats to its new habitat. The term "invasive species" can also refer to feral species or introduced diseases. Some introduced species, such as the dandelion, do not cause significant economic or ecologic damage and are not widely considered as invasive. Economic damages associated with invasive species' effects and control costs are estimated at $120 billion per year.
Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus is one of several tropical fish commonly known as Orinoco sailfin catfish, plecostomus. It belongs to the armored catfish family (Loricariidae). Named for its sail-like dorsal fin, the part of its scientific name multiradiatus means "many-rayed" and refers to the rays of the dorsal fin. P. multiradiatus is one of a number of species commonly referred to as the common pleco by aquarists.
The Invasive Species Compendium (ISC) is an online, open access reference work covering recognition, biology, distribution, impact, and management of invasive plants and animals produced by CAB International alongside an international consortium. It comprises peer-reviewed datasheets, images, and maps, a bibliographic database, and full text articles. New datasheets, data sets, and scientific literature are added on a weekly basis. The ISC has been resourced by a diverse international consortium of government departments, non-governmental organizations, and private companies.
The blackchin tilapia, formerly Tilapia melanotheron, T. heudelotii and T. leonensis, is a species of cichlid native to coastal west Africa. It is a paternal mouthbrooder which has been introduced to Asia and North America.
Procambarus acutus, the white river crayfish, is a species of crayfish in the family Cambaridae. It is found in North America and Europe.
Hymenachne amplexicaulis, also known as West Indian marsh grass in the US, Olive hymenachne in Australia, and hereafter referred to as hymenachne, is New World species in the genus Hymenachne. Hymenachne is from the Greek hymen meaning "membrane" and achne meaning "chaff, glume, scale" and amplexicaulis is from Latin, literally "embracing the stem" or "stem-clasping. This freshwater species is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the West Indies, Northern South America, and Central America.
Agama picticauda, also known commonly as Peter's rock agama and the African redhead agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is native to West Africa.
The spotted bullhead is a species of bullhead catfish endemic to the Southeastern United States.
Muscovy ducks can create problems through competition with native species, damage to property, and transmission of disease.
Muscovies are often found in large numbers, particularly in Florida, and produce a large quantity of droppings, which can seriously degrade water quality. In addition, domestic ducks are often responsible for the spread of several serious diseases to native ducks, and may also interbreed with native ducks, "muddying" the gene pools of those species and potentially decreasing their capacity to adapt, resist disease, and persist.
Rock pigeons are known to transmit pigeon ornithosis, encephalitis, Exotic Newcastle Disease, cryptococcosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonella food poisoning, and several other diseases. Rock pigeons and their nests are infested with ectoparasites, such as ticks, fleas, and mites, which can cause health problems for humans. [...] Large amounts of droppings may kill vegetation and produce an objectionable odour.
House sparrows are known for displacing native species through competition by out-competing them for trophic resources. In rural areas they may evict native birds from their nests.
House Sparrows aggressively compete with native birds for food and nest sites and may reduce their nesting success. These invasive birds will use nest boxes intended for native birds and are known to evict other birds from nest sites, destroying eggs, killing nestlings, and sometimes killing incubating females.
European starlings are extremely aggressive omnivores, and will compete with native fauna for food. [...] Usurping nests by contamination (as well as physical competition) is also a major problem (e.g. native parrots use little, if any, bedding, whereas starlings will rapidly fill and contaminate tree hollows).
European Starlings feed in huge flocks, eating massive quantities of invertebrates and plant matter, and may have significant localized effects on invertebrate populations and thus on availability of food for other species. [...] European Starlings aggressively displace native cavity-nesting birds, evicting these species from their nest sites and destroying their eggs.
Channa aurolineata may outcompete native species for food and habitat. [...] Channa aurolineata is known to host the invasive Aphanomyces invadans, a disease causing epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) in fishes, in its introduced range in South Florida.
As a predator and competitor, introduced snakeheads are of particular concern because of their large size and highly aggressive nature, their broad tolerance to a range of environmental conditions, reproductive potential, and high dispersal abilities. [...] In addition, snakeheads traveling on land have the potential to invade naturally fishless, aquatic habitats and prey on native fauna.