Chapter 9: The Status of Nonindigenous Species in the South Florida Environment

Ferriter, Amy; Doren, Bob; Goodyear, Carole; Thayer, Dan; Burch, Jim; Toth, Lou; Bodle, Mike; Lane, Jon; Schmitz, Don; Pratt, Paul; Snow, Skip; Langeland, Ken

Successful restoration of the South Florida ecosystem, which includes the last vestiges of a once vast Everglades hinges on being able to reverse the environmental degradation that has occurred from human activities over the last 100+ years and prevent degradation from future human activities. While it is clear through the efforts of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and Restoration Coordination and Verification (RECOVER) programs that numerous factors (e.g., water quantity and quality, and abundance of flora and fauna) are a factor in the restoration effort, the potential impact of invasive species has only recently become a high priority for CERP planning. In support of the collective activities of the many agencies involved in Everglades restoration and CERP, this chapter reviews the broad issues involving nonindigenous species in South Florida and their relationship to restoration, management, planning, organization, and funding. This chapter also provides an overview of nonindigenous species using a comprehensive, all-taxa format for understanding and presenting an inclusive picture of the magnitude of the invasive species threats that exists in South Florida. While detailed information on many of the included nonindigenous species is still unknown, this is the first document to provide a complete listing with species annotations for those species either known, or considered to be, serious threats to Everglades restoration. The species are also presented using the RECOVER and Science Coordination Group (SCG) modules for Everglades restoration regions and the species impacts are also discussed by regions in which such information on the species exists. In addition to providing a comprehensive look at nonindigenous species across taxa, this document has also taken an important step toward trying to determine what, if any, control or management has been initiated for targeted species. Working with the Science Coordination Group and the Noxious Exotic Task Team and the Florida Invasive Animal Task Team of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, this progress assessment technique has been established in coordination with the development of the SCG system-wide ecological indicator for invasive plants. Through continued collaboration, it is hoped that a coherent and integrated method across all agencies is established for evaluating progress on controlling invasive plants. It is anticipated that a parallel system for exotic animals will also be developed within the next 2 to 3 years. This chapter highlights several key aspects where recent progress has been made, and where future efforts are being further developed or needs are better identified and described. Two notable areas include monitoring (both pre- and post-treatment) and information sharing and tracking. This document also describes the efforts and successes in integrating and coordinating the numerous monitoring programs for invasive exotic plants and the development of a similar system for all taxa. Information sharing and project tracking are being developed under a new web-based system to help agencies implement their many invasive species projects with the ability for improved coordination and integration and for cross-cut budget development.

Chapter 9: The Status of Nonindigenous Species in the South Florida Environment

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