As we kick off 2021, we would like to reflect back on some of the insightful feature stories written last year by our student-led team. These pieces examine how technology is improving animal tracking research, recount scientists' efforts to save the Miami Blue butterfly, document the march of mangroves north as the climate changes, and more. We invite you to catch up below if you haven't yet had the chance to read them.
As always, we have curated the environmental news stories around the state that you may have missed. And don't forget to check out our Action of the Month, which was produced in collaboration with the UF Office of Sustainability. Stay tuned next month for our annual legislative issue where you will learn about introduced bills in the 2021 session and what they might mean for Florida's environment if passed.
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 better understand problems facing Florida wildlife.
More than 2,000 artificial satellites currently orbit Earth, and a larger hoard is expected to occupy the skies in the future. With their vantage point in our planet’s exosphere, or the outermost layer of the atmosphere, satellites can be the eyes for researchers on the ground. This tech is one facet of a developing field called “remote sensing.”
Remote sensing focuses on gathering data from a distance, whether that be inches or miles away. Instead of traveling to different locations and taking samples, researchers can now use optical machinery, like high-tech cameras, to glean information about Earth from afar.
Straddling the land and sea, mangroves have long been a fixture of Florida’s coastline. All 469,000 acres of red, black, white and buttonwood mangroves are considered some of Florida’s true native species.
Today, climate change and coastal development have altered the mangrove’s traditional geographic span, extending its range farther north and more inland. While this march of mangroves opens the door to new hope for Florida’s future, their expansion simultaneously poses a threat to many current ways of life.
Creepy crawlies. Heebie jeebies. For centuries, insects in American culture have wriggled their way into a whole host of negative stereotypes. But despite their bad rap, insects provide many services to humans.
The most diverse group of animals in the world, they provide an estimated yearly value of $70 billion in the U.S. alone. Insects are important for agriculture, pollination and breaking down waste. They function as predators and prey in countless food chains and have even inspired new technology (think: drones).
But whatever stance you take toward them, numerous recent studies highlight a startling reality: insects are disappearing worldwide at an alarming rate — both in number and diversity. Here's what you can do to help.
An abundance of Miami blue butterflies once flitted up and down Florida’s coastlines. Now, they can only be found in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge — a collection of islands about 15 miles west of Key West.
A story once thought to have written its last chapter, the rise and fall of the Miami blue butterfly highlights an extreme local example of global insect decline.
But luckily for the Miami blue, ongoing research efforts prove there’s still hope for this butterfly — still a spot for it in Florida’s myriad of changing landscapes.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when grocery store shelves first lay sparse, some customers instead began to order produce from small organic farms. This is because these farms typically operate with a short food supply chain, meaning the distances that the products travel to customers are relatively small, unlike large-scale farms that ship all over the U.S. and globe.
But aside from their adaptability, small organic farms in Florida bring a host of other benefits, even when a pandemic isn’t gripping the world.
Florida is hot. It’s no secret. The chokehold of Florida’s heat is a permanent part of our landscape, worming its way into every corner of the state, and forcing all living things into a clear-cut choice: adapt or die. And blanketed by the same soupy heat, Florida cattle are no exception.
This issue is not new. Geneticists, cattle ranchers and livestock producers have all been working to keep cows cool in Florida for decades. But average temperatures in the state have been rising. The Florida peninsula has already warmed more than one degree Fahrenheit during the last century, and projections estimate an additional two degree rise in the next 20 years.
As global temperatures remain on the rise, and heat events become more extreme, it’s becoming increasingly important to safeguard the wellbeing of our livestock.
With rising concerns surrounding Earth’s changing climate, many Gators and fellow Floridians are seeking to make 2021 better than 2020 by reducing their carbon footprint on the environment through simple day-to-day actions. Read more about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.
Earth to Florida's Action of the Month is produced in collaboration with the UF Office of Sustainability. If you’d like to learn more about sustainability at UF, follow Sustainable UF on Instagram or Facebook!
In December, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency turned over the authority to permit development on Florida’s already disappearing wetlands to the state of Florida. Opponents say the move violates federal rules and worry it will lead to the loss of wetlands to development, while proponents say the measure streamlines the permitting process. Michigan and New Jersey are the only two other states in the U.S. that oversee their own wetlands permitting.
A new podcast by WMFE reporter Amy Green dives into the state’s complex journey to restore the Everglades. Drained examines the massive plan to restore the river of grass and poses the big question about the future of this natural wonder: Can it be saved?
Habitats and Biodiversity
University of Florida scientists have observed a population increase of the Peter’s rock agama lizard. The invasive lizard is problematic because it preys on insects, including many of South Florida’s endangered butterfly species. Scientists are asking the public to report sightings so they can better understand the lizard and its distribution in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission has drafted a controversial new rule that would prohibit the taking of the diamondback terrapin turtle and require blue crab traps to be equipped with a device that would reduce accidental capture of terrapins. Commercial crabbers argue that the turtles are rarely caught in existing traps, and the new design could allow blue crabs to escape. Reptile hobbyists argue that the rule does not address more pressing threats to the turtles such as habitat loss, and death by motor vehicles.
In the most comprehensive study of bird mortality in Florida to date, Florida Museum of Natural History ornithologists found that the top killers of Florida birds are malnourishment in waterbirds and traumatic injury in terrestrial species. The results show a need for new conservation strategies that address threats to birds in different habitats and implementation of methods to minimize the impact of human-made structures on mortality, such as using bird-safe glass in construction.
A last-minute measure implemented by President Trump strips protections of migratory birds while loosening restrictions for oil companies — as long as any killings are unintentional, oil companies will no longer be fined or prosecuted by the federal government. This regulation comes only one day after the Environmental Protection Agency finalized a measure that bars some scientific studies from consideration when drafting public health rules.
‘Reef goats’ — native crabs that graze on algae and seaweeds — may be key to helping save corals in the Florida Keys from being stifled by increased algae growth. A new study by Florida International University shows that the Caribbean king crab can reduce algae growth and boost overall health of corals.
Scientists across the globe have outfitted a variety of animals with solar-powered tracking devices to collect data for an ambitious new project. Data on the wearer’s position, physiology and microclimate will be sent to a receiver on the International Space Station and then beamed back down. The data will help scientists track the animals over the course of their lifetimes, in a hope to better understand the role of mobility on our planet in the wake of climate change.
Despite meeting eligibility requirements, the monarch butterfly has been left off the listing of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Act, though the agency agrees that the butterfly needs additional protections. The decision was reached in spite of record lows in the western monarch’s population numbers.
Federal officials are looking to find out who etched “Trump” onto a manatee’s back. The harassment of manatees violates state and federal laws. The Center for Biological Diversity is offering $5,000 for any information on the culprit. Meanwhile, a newly drafted bill would require all boaters to get authorized for a safety identification card by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a measure that some legislators hope will help save manatees from boat collisions.
Climate Responsibility and Natural Hazards
It’s no surprise that 2020 was a year of extreme temperatures, but was it the warmest year on record? It depends. Climate scientists rely on at least six data sets to make global climate measurements and each one uses a slightly different system. But, one thing is clear: 2020 is more or less tied with 2016 for the record books. This is remarkable, scientists say, because 2020 was a La Niña event, which tends to naturally lower the global temperature. 2016, on the other hand, was a super El Niño event, which does the opposite.
In the summer of 2019, Gov. Ron DeSantis was praised for his hiring of Julia Nesheiwat as the state’s first chief resilience officer. But, after nearly seven months, she left to take a homeland security position in the Trump Administration. Today the position remains unfilled, without any clear answer as to whether DeSantis will hire another climate change leader.
Once he takes office, President Joe Biden has vowed to rejoin the Paris Agreement, a global pact to slow climate change. The move could mean key changes for Florida, which faces increasing temperatures and rising sea levels.
Earth Systems and the Economy
Phosphate mining is big business in Florida. But several environmental groups are suing to prohibit the federal government from allowing phosphogypsum, a byproduct of processing phosphate, to be used in road materials. The groups say the decision was made based on faulty analysis and without chance for public comment.
In late December, exploratory drilling began for an offshore drill operated by British-owned Bahamas Petroleum Company just 150 miles from South Florida. Eighteen members of Congress sent an urgent letter to Hubert Minnis, prime minister of the Bahamas, urging him to reconsider given the proximity to Florida and the potential impact should a spill occur. Meanwhile, more than 10 years after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, scientists have found the effects are still lingering.
What We're Reading
Environmental protection and social justice are deeply intertwined, and we cannot accurately communicate the environmental issues facing our state without acknowledging this relationship. In this monthly Earth to Florida segment, we will share articles and videos that help explain these connections.
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.
Florida’s unique environments provide habitat for many plants and animals under threat. Eighty-eight plants and animals are federally endangered, including the well-known Florida panther, but also lesser-known species like the Florida salt marsh vole.
Florida has 42 threatened species, such as the West Indian manatee and Florida pineland crabgrass. There are an additional 92 species at-risk in Florida, meaning they are under consideration for being listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Florida’s at-risk species include the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the panhandle lily. You can view the complete list of endangered, threatened, and at-risk species by visiting this link!
Info from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The beautiful Manatee Springs State Park is home to a first magnitude spring that discharges an average of 100 million gallons of water each day. In the winter months, this spring provides refuge to its namesake manatees who swim inland to avoid cooler coastal waters.
The waters from this spring flow into the Suwannee River, which then flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors to the park can enjoy an 800-foot boardwalk along the spring run to the river. The park also contains 8.5 miles of hiking trails, camping, paddling opportunities, and more! Info from Florida State Parks.
Image by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Rivera (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Stretching about 1,500 miles across the state, the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) is a federally-designated, long-distance recreational trail within an hour’s drive for most Floridians. The trail weaves its way through national preserves, past rivers and springs, and highlights Florida’s most beautiful landscapes. Its termini lie in Gulf Islands National Seashore and Big Cypress National Preserve.
Info from the USDA, NPS, and the Florida Trail Association. Lefthand images by the US Forest Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0), righthand image by Flickr user echoroo (CC BY 2.0)
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.
About the Institute
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.
