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 2025. [171]
FISC added three category II species to the list in the 2025 update. [172]
In 2023, three species were added to Category I, and Category II included four additional species. [173] [174] [175]
The watch list from FISC highlights species of concern which are not yet included in the Category I or II lists. [176]
The FISC list is a recommendation for natural resource managers, environmental education, and volunteer removal, but is not regulatory by law. [177] 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
†Species added in 2025
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link){{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: article number as page number (link)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.
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