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Each month, a student-led team at the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute curates Florida's environmental news and puts it into context by explaining what’s going on, why it matters and what we can do about it. We hope you enjoy this month's sampling.
If you know someone interested in subscribing, they can do so at: http://bit.ly/EarthtoFL
Have feedback for our team? Email earthsystems@floridamuseum.ufl.edu
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As the climate changes and human influences on our waterways escalate, scientists say keeping track of where animals go and how well they survive is essential to wildlife management decision-making.
New technology can help provide more timely and robust data, leading to important discoveries that help scientists learn more about problems facing Florida wildlife and possible solutions.
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April 2020 was Earth’s second hottest April on record. The average temperature globally was 1.91°F warmer than the 20th-century average, serving as a powerful reminder that climate change is an ongoing threat worldwide. Though the global warming trend is clear, it is sometimes difficult to comprehend how our day-to-day weather experience fits into the larger climate change picture.
Follow along with TESI coordinator Sadie Mills as she debriefs us on recent warming trends and gives tips on how we can keep tabs on climate change in Florida in this month's Action of the Month.
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Oftentimes keeping up with our state’s environmental news can be daunting — and sometimes discouraging as we tend to focus on the long list of problems to be solved. But, it’s just as important for us to focus on the good news.
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Need a quick update to get caught up on this month's environmental news? See below to see what’s going on, why it matters and what you can do about it.
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In the Face of a Shuttered World, Some Labs and Conservation Efforts Persevere
Despite COVID-19 closures, some animal and plant research has remained operational throughout Florida. Land conservation plans continue to form around the state as well, although some parties are at odds.
Featured image: UF/IFAS photo by Tyler Jones
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U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Environmental Groups in Clean Water Act Decision
A major policy decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has closed what some scientists call a loophole in the Clean Water Act. Meanwhile, two first-of-their-kind studies aim to provide much-needed baseline data for management and policy decisions affecting the Gulf of Mexico and Florida’s freshwater springs.
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Return of the “Fatberg” — Waste in the Time of the Coronavirus
Toilet paper shortages during the coronavirus pandemic have forced Floridians to get creative with substitute materials, causing clogs that damage an already ailing wastewater system.
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Earth Systems & the Economy
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Everglades Restoration Efforts Continue Amid COVID-19
The Florida Everglades ecosystem is home to important wildlife habitat, and millions of Floridians rely on the wetland for clean drinking water. But flood and water control measures, introduced species and increased development have dubbed the Everglades National Park the most threatened park in the U.S. Despite disruptions on many fronts due to COVID-19, efforts to restore this area have continued.
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Climate Responsibility and Natural Hazards
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NASA Satellite Data Show Statewide Air Quality Improvement During Stay-At-Home-Orders
Recent satellite data from NASA show significant improvement in air quality levels throughout the state, though NASA officials say further research is needed to pinpoint the exact cause. Meanwhile, a Harvard study has linked air pollution to higher coronavirus death rates.
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Here at the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute, we like to share the love by showcasing some of the great environmental research being done at universities around the state. Watch our video and visit the links below to learn more!
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Want to impress your friends with all you know about our beautiful state? Follow us on Instagram @KnowYourFlorida and get to know your state, your nature, your history– your Florida. See below for some fun facts from this month.
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There are five species of sea turtle that can be found in Florida: loggerhead, leatherback, green, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley. All Florida sea turtles face threats like illegal harvesting, pollution and habitat encroachment, but the Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill, green and leatherback are listed as endangered. Learn more.
Info from FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Leatherback pic from iNaturalist user Julien Renoult (CC-BY-NC 4.0), loggerhead pic from iNaturalist user Kirk Gardner (CC-BY-NC 4.0), green pic from iNaturalist user davidcooksy (CC-BY-NC 4.0), hawksbill pic from iNaturalist user Iván Cumpián (CC-BY-NC 4.0), Kemp’s ridley pic from iNaturalist user Blanca Zapata (CC-BY-NC 4.0)
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The endangered Florida Scrub-Jay is the only bird species to live exclusively in Florida. Sporting blue and gray feathers, these small songbirds can most often be seen perched above shrubs or hopping along roadsides. Highly faithful to their home range, the birds rarely move away from the small and scarce habitat of the Florida scrub. Florida Scrub-Jays have also been the subject of multiple field studies due to their complex social behaviors and extended family groups.
Info from All About Birds and the Audubon Society. Image by Mary Keim (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
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The Dry Tortugas National Park is a 100 square-mile park consisting of seven small islands and their surrounding waters in the Gulf of Mexico, 70 miles away from Key West. The second-largest island in the Dry Tortugas is Garden Key, where you can find one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts, the famous Fort Jefferson.
Info from the National Park Service. Image by the NPS Climate Change Response (Public Domain Mark 1.0).
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To keep up with our Institute's news and events, subscribe to our TESI newsletter.
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TESI Events & Learning Opportunities
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Every Friday, we also publish a weekly sampling of free and inexpensive environmental learning opportunities on our Facebook page. For the time being, we are specifically featuring virtual opportunities. Visit our Online Learning Opportunites page to see what we've collected so far.
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Started in 2018, the mission of the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute is to advance communication and education about Earth systems science in a way that inspires Floridians to be effective stewards of our planet.
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