Florida is a haven for exotic species. Many come in through the
Miami shipping ports, they love the warm weather as much as us.
They also cost taxpayers millions of dollars
in exotic removal programs. Many species were introduced to "help"
the Florida landscape. For instance Melaleuca was introduced to
soak up swamp water. If you drive down highway 27 to the Keys you
will see miles of Melaleuca it spreads faster than dandelions.
If you can, purchase Melaleuca chips for your garden instead of Cypress Mulch
which comes from grinding native cypress trees.
Brazilian pepper is the other bad boy shrub plus numerous
vines (old world climbing fern). Water Hyacinth was planted in pretty fountains
and is choking many waterways. Most exotics upset the balance of
our native ecosystems so, plant native, do not release pets into the wild
and do not support third world countries who ship their exotic species here.
There are also many loose parakeeets and parrots in Florida. I did here that
many grass carp that were released in urban ponds were bred not to reproduce
and to die after 7 years. What's the point, create a natural system with natural
algae eaters (snails, zoo plankton). I'd better stop here.........................
For a complete list of Florida exotics go to: http://www.fleppc.org/
At 06:56 PM 7/20/2003 -0400, you wrote:
Yup,
Add it to the list of "things which don't belong here". It can join the ranks of:
Pythons & Boa Constrictors in the Everglades (established populations) Iguanas Cuban Anoles Probably tons of other reptiles Oscars Mayan Cichlids Tilapia Butterfly Peacock Bass (exception, introduced by the state and I'm happy they did!) Snakeheads Asian eels Countless other aquarium fish Melaluca (known to the rest of the world as the tea tree.) And a ton of other plants Probably a bunch of insects I hear reports of Monkeys Probably birds too.
Ginger, Jerry, Chuck, Scott - what else did I miss? That was the stuff just off of my head.
;->
Ken
-----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Wes Wada Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 10:47 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [VFB] OT: Nile Monitor lizards run amok
Hello Florida!
photo: <img src="http://images.fbrtech.com/dnew/Africa2000/ Nile%20Monitor%20Lizard%2bweb.jpg">
article: <http://www.msnbc.com/news/941171.asp?0cv=CB20>
comment: <http://members.tripod.com/~clarasroad/monitor.html>
Ginger M. Allen Sr. Biological Scientist Florida Master Naturalist Program Coordinator www.MasterNaturalist.ifas.ufl.edu www.MasterNaturalist.org Department of Wildlife & Ecology Conservation University of Florida/SWFREC 2686 SR 29 N Immokalee, FL 34142-9515 PH (239) 658-3409 (suncom974-3400) Fax (239) 658-3469 (suncomfax974-3469)
