Sustainability is needed for our native flora and fauna. Florida is second only to Hawaii in problems of invasive exotics. Exotics are increased in our state due to our extensive coast, vulnerability to trade winds, hurricanes increased exchange of plants and animals from our numerous visitors and travelers. Our subtropical climate does not de-select many plants and animals by colder periods as our northern states can. Once introduced, exotics have no natural predators or controls and will over grow and reproduce in alarming numbers. Thus, we have many fire ants, Brazilian pepper trees, melaleuca, carrotwood, air potato, cogon grass, hydrilla, water hyacinths, Australian pine, walking catfish, grass carp, wild feral hogs and Cuban tree frogs, just to name a few.
Our native species are displaced by these exotics. The modern ease of transportation has increased the introduction of these pests, as well as the introduction of some disease states that did not exist on our continent (sudden oak death, citrus greening and canker).
Vigilance and removal is the first line of defense. But with such rapid growth and infestation of our natural conservation areas the control of these invaders is very difficult. IFAS is very dedicated to the best and safest controls and the research being pursued diligently. We are fortunate in having Dr. Santana in our county extension service and he has been able to start some bio-control agents for fire ants with decapitating fly species. Weevils have been introduced to control the over growth of melaleuca trees, especially in the Ft. Myers area. They have been resistant to herbicides and fire control only hastens their reproduction.
We are hopeful that more bio-control agents will be found to help in the protection of our native habitat and diversity.
Editor's note: So many people that have stories to tell about themselves still would rather see action on their mission than attention to themselves. Read the story about Mary Jelks titled "A JOURNAL OF THE MYAKKA RIVER: Jelks devotes time, money, energy to the Myakka" article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune at:
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050717/NEWS/507170452