On World Nature Conservation Day, let us all take a moment to reflect on the importance of preserving and protecting our beautiful planet, and, in particular, our vibrant home state.
Here in Florida, we boast a remarkable array of ecosystems, each teeming with life and beauty. The Everglades, known as the “River of Grass,” is a captivating wetland that supports a myriad of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The delicate balance of this ecosystem is a testament to the resilience and interconnectedness of nature. From the mangroves along the coast to the cypress swamps and the hidden springs, Florida’s diverse landscapes provide habitats for countless species, protect our local communities from damage, and supply our economy with sustainable income. In appreciation of this incredible biodiversity, here are some great ways to celebrate our planet, and our state, this World Nature Conservation Day.
Visit the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital!
Here at the Nature Center, we celebrate all wildlife and have a beautiful facility where you can visit animals of all shapes and sizes. Take a walk through our habitats and immerse yourself in the true spirit of nature amongst our wildlife. Our Nature Center hosts great educational and recreational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Enjoy a Nature Hike!
South Florida boasts beautiful preserves and parks with lush natural trails. Enjoy a day in the outdoors and share a memorable meal with friends and family. Many trails offer opportunities for furry friends to tag along, so no one will be left out in celebration of Mother Nature’s special day.
Volunteer in Nature!
Whether it is a beach clean-up or a community gardening event, immerse yourself in tending to nature. These beautiful ecosystems support our livelihoods and protect our homes. A great way to give back is to help nurture and promote the welfare of our planet. Here at the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital, we offer a wide array of service opportunities for those interested in getting involved. Check out our website to learn more! To make it fun, grab some friends and make a game out of your efforts – it will be sure to make great memories. And Mother Nature will thank you for it.
Mangroves are the superheroes of our coastlines. A vital ecosystem, mangroves not only provide a sanctuary for a rich diversity of species but also offer countless benefits to the prosperity of our local Florida communities!
The Coastal Guardian
Three species of mangroves call the Florida wetlands home: the red, black, and white mangroves. These forests, with their intricate network of trees, submerged roots, and thriving biodiversity, act as natural protectors of coastlines. Their dense root systems serve as barriers against erosion and storm surges, safeguarding nearby communities from the devastating impacts of hurricanes and tsunamis. By absorbing and dissipating wave energy, mangroves serve as a living buffer, reducing the risk of coastal flooding and offering invaluable protection to both humans and the environment. Considering the high risks of hurricanes in South Florida, these mangrove ecosystems are vital to protecting Florida neighborhoods and communities from flooding, storm surges, and other damages caused by high winds and battering rains. Mangrove ecosystems are reported to save the local Florida economy billions in coastline damage annually.
The Protector of Nature’s Creatures
Mangroves are extraordinary hubs of biodiversity, providing a habitat for a myriad of plant and animal species. Their unique combination of saltwater and freshwater creates a dynamic ecosystem that supports a wide array of marine life. Countless fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and migratory birds depend on mangroves for breeding, nesting, and foraging. These vital ecosystems nurture intricate food webs, sustaining the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems and preserving the rich biodiversity of our planet. Mangrove forests also serve as natural nurseries for fish and other marine species, contributing to sustainable fisheries. Mangroves are essential to the Florida economy, providing a source of livelihood for millions of people who rely on fishing, aquaculture, and ecotourism.
Carbon Sinks: Storing our Carbon and Saving Our Economies
Mangroves are unsung heroes in the fight against climate change. Despite covering only a fraction of the Earth’s surface, they possess an impressive ability to sequester and store vast amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The dense vegetation of mangroves acts as a carbon sink, capturing and storing carbon dioxide in their roots, sediments, and biomass. By conserving and restoring mangrove forests, we can help mitigate the impacts of climate change, as they play a crucial role in regulating global carbon levels.
Protecting Our Hero
As we celebrate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of collective action in preserving these remarkable habitats. By supporting local and international conservation initiatives, advocating for sustainable coastal development, and raising awareness about the value of mangroves, we can contribute to their long-term preservation. Mangroves not only offer countless ecological benefits but also hold immense cultural and economic significance. By valuing and preserving mangrove ecosystems, we are investing in a sustainable future for our planet and ensuring the well-being of present and future generations.
July 16th marks the official date of World Snake Day, a day dedicated to appreciating and understanding these often misunderstood creatures. Snakes captivate us with their slithering movements, incredible adaptations, and diverse array of species. They play an important role in ecosystems by maintaining and sustaining species throughout the food chain. On this special day, let’s take a closer look at the world of snakes, unravel some myths, and appreciate the important roles they play, particularly here in South Florida.
Native Snakes
Florida boasts an impressive collection of native snake species adapted to the state’s unique habitats. There are over 44 snake species native to Florida inhabiting a variety of ecosystems ranging from coastal mangroves to dry uplands to residential areas. If you see one of these scaly critters, there is no reason to worry as most snakes tend to keep to themselves. These native snakes play important ecological roles maintaining balance within their respective habitats.
Venomous Snakes
Out of all 44 species of native snakes in Florida, only 6 are venomous, meaning that they are able to release venom capable of paralyzing or killing their prey. The 6 venomous snakes in Florida include: the eastern coral snake, the southern copperhead, the cottonmouth, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake, and the dusky pygmy rattlesnake. Venomous species, like non-venomous species, are beneficial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Although venomous species may seem intimidating, they, like most species of snakes, are not particularly aggressive unless stepped on or otherwise provoked. It’s essential to understand and respect these venomous species, as they play a role in the ecosystem while demanding caution and proper education to ensure human safety.
Exotic Invaders
Several non-native snake species have found their way into the Florida landscape often as a result of accidental or intentional releases. Animals not native to Florida ecosystems are considered to be exotic. When exotic species begin to negatively impact the surrounding native ecosystems, they become an invasive species. Invasive species can harm and displace native populations and undermine the balance of the natural ecosystem. A notable example of an invasive species in Florida is the Burmese Python. A snake originally from Southeast Asia, the Burmese Python has become an established exotic species in the Everglades. Known for its impressive size and ability to thrive in the subtropical environment, this snake has caused significant ecological impacts by disrupting native wildlife populations with its voracious appetite. Efforts to manage and control the spread of these exotic invaders are ongoing.
Coexistence & Conservation
Florida’s snake population showcases a remarkable diversity of snake species, each contributing to the intricate web of life within the state’s ecosystems. Snakes manage the middle ground of the food chain, simultaneously controlling populations of rodents and small mammals, while providing sustenance for larger species of birds and reptiles.
Living alongside snakes, whether native, venomous, or exotic, requires a balanced approach that prioritizes both human safety and the conservation of these remarkable creatures. It is crucial to educate ourselves about snake behavior, habitats, and proper safety measures when encountering them. Conservation efforts play a vital role in protecting native snake populations and managing the impact of exotic species. It is critical to understand the role each type of snake plays within the ecosystem and take efforts to remove exotic species that do more harm than good.
While some may fear or misunderstand snakes, they are an integral part of Florida’s biodiversity. By learning about their ecological importance, appreciating their beauty, and dispelling myths, we can foster a greater sense of harmony with these slithering creatures. Participating in educational programs, visiting reputable snake exhibits, and supporting conservation initiatives are ways to deepen our understanding and appreciation for these fascinating reptiles.
Photo Courtesy of Brian Yurasits via Unsplash Photos
By Roksanna Keyvan
In March 2020, the world came to a halt. Lives were turned upside down in a matter of days as businesses shut down and schools closed their doors. Two weeks of what initially seemed like vacation turned into months of quarantine and isolation for individuals across the world. What sounds like the prologue to a dystopian novel was actually the onset of a global pandemic known as coronavirus or COVID-19.
Prompt and decisive health measures were taken in response to the crisis. However, their consequences sustained a profound impact on both human health and the global economy. This has significantly impacted the environment — for better and for worse.
The Good
When the world came to a halt, industry followed suit. Factories closed their doors, employees stashed away their uniforms and global pollution rates began to drop.
The decrease in industrial activity during the pandemic led to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from factories and power plants. In 2020, The Earth Observatory at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported that declines in GHG emissions had been observed and reported across the world. As the world ceased its daily processes, the lessened consumption of fossil fuels slowed the onset of global climate change.
The absence of industrial pollution also led to cleaner water sources, specifically in developing countries that previously dumped domestic and industrial waste into untreated bodies of water. Water bodies that were characteristically turbid or discolored, such as the Bay of Bengal and the ports of Venice, were clearer due to decreased boat activity.
While water and air pollution have visible effects, noise pollution is an invisible threat that has harmful physiological and psychological effects on humans, other living organisms and natural ecosystems. Noise pollution is unnatural sound generated from different human activities, such as construction, and is considered by the World Health Organization to be the third-most hazardous pollution after air and water pollution.
Satellite images taken by NASA during lockdown periods in the city of Wuhan, China, reveal how decreased air travel and road transportation significantly lessened anthropogenic noise pollution in China, Ireland, and major cities across the globe.
Restrictions in transportation and travel have allowed nature to heal itself. With the absence of human activity, popular tourist sites experienced ecological restoration and assimilation with the natural environment. Research findings from Eulogio Soto of Universidad de Valparaíso reported that, with the lack of human waste and disturbance, urban-coastal ecosystems displayed an ability to recover in terms of biodiversity and system functionality, dropping from high levels of turbidity with many aquatic and local species returning. Social distancing and the lack of human disturbance correlated to a decline in the frequency of forest fires in the Southeastern United States, especially on federal lands, which house popular tourist spots such as national parks and wildlife management areas.
The Bad
Although the onset of COVID-19 reduced anthropogenic waste, it fostered an increase in biomedical waste. Biomedical waste relates to chemicals from disinfectants and infectious remnants from non-biodegradable personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks and gloves. This waste now poses a major threat to public health and the environment.
Professor Ana María Rule of John Hopkins University stresses that overuse of PPE has resulted in a surge of plastic waste that will take hundreds of years to break down. Smaller and smaller microplastics from plastic waste will accumulate throughout the environment — in the soil, water and air. Invisible and omnipresent, these harmful microplastics will inevitably be consumed by all organisms – including humans.
PPE plastic and medical waste increase the risk of disease transmission to waste workers and thus require special disposal methods, like incineration. Although these disposal methods are designed to prevent contamination and reduce the volume of waste, they still harm the environment by emitting heavy metals, particulate matter and GHG. Disinfectants and surface cleaners also contain particles and chemicals with harmful byproducts. These byproducts, which take many years to degrade, are unable to be processed in water treatment plants and will resultantly accumulate in municipal wastewater across the globe.
The Ugly Truth
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant environmental impacts, both positive and negative — but we are not in the clear just yet.
With almost all lockdowns ending and economic activity resuming pre-pandemic normalcy, NASA reported that levels of air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, have returned to pre-pandemic conditions.. As typical pollutant levels rebound worldwide, an imminent return to environmental problems awaits us.
As a society, it is important to assess our next steps and consider what changes need to be made to improve ourselves and our planet. Not all PPE is necessary, and its overuse does more harm than good. COVID-19 spreads primarily via airborne means, not surfaces, as the virus can only exist on surfaces for about three days. Anna María Rule, an assistant professor in Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins recommends that it is more effective and environmentally efficient to consistently wash your hands with soap and water.
Other sustainable environmental management strategies, as recommended by Professor Tanjena Rume of Jahangirnagar University, include sustainable industrialization. This strategy focuses on investing in technologies that reduce emissions and utilizing more renewable energy sources. It also emphasizes the improvement of wastewater treatment and waste recycling while finding ways to reuse these resources. Rume also emphasizes ecological restoration and ecotourism, a measure that requires international cooperation to ensure a more sustainable future. Finally, on an individual level, we can all work toward making behavioral changes daily to be more environmentally mindful.
As we return to a pre-pandemic normalcy, it is important to consider the environmental impact of our actions. By making united efforts, we can work toward guaranteeing a more sustainable future for all.
