BIL 149 - First Year Information (FYI) for Biology Majors Field Trip

• An EXOTIC species is one that has been introduced to an area outside its native range, either purposefully or accidentally.
• A NATURALIZED species is one that that can sustain itself outside of cultivation, outside its native range
• An INVASIVE EXOTIC species is a naturalized exotic species that disrupts naturally occurring native communities

Florida is a hotbed of invasive species, as we serve as a port for importation from many different places. Miami International Airport is home to many exotic animal species.

Exotic plant species are even more diverse and widespread than exotic animal species. Because ecosystem structure and species diversity depends upon the ecosystem's flora (i.e., plant life), this can have dire consequences for native Florida ecosystems.

Let's consider some questions you might ask about exotic plant species...

It's true that all plants make oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. That's good if you're an organism that does cellular respiration. However, when certain plants are introduced to a new location without the factors that kept their populations under control in their native range, such as
• severe seasonal weather
• diseases
• insect pests that kept
...they can sometimes keep growing and reproducing, out-competing and displacing the native plants and disrupting naturally-balanced native plant communities. This reduction in biodiversity can adversely impact animal wildlife and alter natural processes such as fire and water flow.

Unfortunately, yes. According to data collected by researchers at the University of South Florida, almost one-third of the plants growing wild in Florida are non-native, and some of these have become serious pests.

Absolutely. Floridians are commonly surrounded by these plants, on our roads, in our backyards, and in natural areas. Not all exotics are invasive, but the chances are good that you've seen lots of exotics, and some of the invasives.

Propagules from invasive exotic plants can be spread by wind (e.g., microscopic spores from Old World Climbing Fern), by water (e.g., Melaleuca trees in the Everglades), or by birds or other animals that eat the fruit and deposit the seeds in droppings far from the original tree (e.g., - Brazilian Pepper, Carrotwood). Others also can spread vegetatively by sending out underground rhizomes that sprout far from the original plants (e.g., Australian Pine, Erect Sword Fern).

Control of exotic plants in Florida's natural areas and waterways is expensive, costing taxpayers million of dollars each year. By getting involved in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive exotic plants, you will be saving yourself money.

Invasive exotic plants continue to degrade our natural areas and associated wildlife habitat.

• Start at home. Many invasive exotic plants are planted and maintained as landscaping material by homeowners who honestly don't know any better.
  Attractive, hardy, native species are commercially available. Identify the plants in your yard, remove the invasive exotics and install appropriate native plants instead.
• Contact your local, state or federal government representatives and let then know you are concerned about invasive exotic plant impacts.
• Spread the word to your friends and neighbors. It takes a village to restore an ecosystem!
• Find out about existing restoration programs and volunteer.

Some examples of the worst invasive exotic plants in Florida: