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Keystone species are defined as species that other species depend on, and that if removed, would drastically change the ecosystem where they live. The species play such a fundamental role that they cannot be easily lost or replaced. This includes animals like beavers whose dams help protect and provide habitat for many other organisms and grey wolves who provide population control. Here in Florida, we have local examples that live across the state, including both animals and plants. Below are some of Florida’s major keystone species and how they help maintain the ecosystem around them.  

American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis 

The American alligator is a well-known species here in Florida, especially around the Everglades. This species has been around for millions of years and has been hunted by humans and used for various things like food and fashion. Overhunting of alligators in the mid-20th century led to a rapid population decline. This decline resulted in a massive shift in the environment with other species being impacted. Scientists and researchers started studying this shift and found that alligators provide a vital ecological service to the ecosystem- alligator holes. These holes are dug by alligators and used by many different species including turtles, birds, fish, and insects. These holes are filled up during the wet season by rainwater and then hold water to provide habitat and water for other species during the dry season. Upon recognition of this service’s importance to the ecosystem, conservation plans were put in place to help improve the declining population of alligators and led to the recovery of the alligator population from the brink of extinction.  

Gopher Tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus 

The gopher tortoise is a tortoise species that spans the southeast US. This tortoise species is one of only 5 in North America and the only one found east of the Mississippi River. Like many other tortoise species, these animals are known for their burrows and will spend a lot of their time in them. These burrows are the reason these animals are keystone species. Their burrows are sheltered for themselves as well as over 350 other species. These include the eastern indigo snake and the burrowing owl among many others. This species, however, is regionally threatened due to its declining population. This is largely due to habitat loss and destruction due to urban development, but improper land management and increased car collisions play a role as well. Since the reclassification of these tortoises in 2007, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has put together a Gopher Tortoise management plan that is meant to “restore and maintain secure, viable populations of gopher tortoises throughout Florida so the species no longer warrants listing.”  

Oaks, Quercus sp.  

As mentioned above, keystone species includes both animals and plants. Native plants help to support different native species like insects and birds by providing shelter and food. While some may only be valuable to a limited number of species, tree species like oaks are valuable and essential for many different species. Animals like squirrels, woodpeckers, raccoons, hummingbirds, and white-tailed deer depend on oak trees. Oak species here in Florida are host to more than 350 caterpillar species. This includes different types of Duskywing (Horace’s Duskywing, Juvenal’s Duskywing) and Hairstreak caterpillars (red-banded hairstreak, white-banded hairstreak, oak hairstreak). Here in Florida, there are many different types of oaks including the Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia), the Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), the Chapman’s Oak (Quercus chapmanii), the Water Oak (Quercus nigra) and the Running Oak (Quercus pumila).  

February 2^nd marks World Wetlands Day, dedicated to recognizing the importance of wetland ecosystems worldwide. Wetland ecosystems have been declining worldwide mainly due to urban development and agricultural expansion. Wetlands are defined as an area of land saturated by water either permanently or seasonally. These ecosystems exist worldwide and play fundamental roles in the overall health of local environments. These areas, as you will see, support various organisms and perform a specific role needed to support them. There is a wide variety of wetlands across the globe that abide in different areas and habitats. Florida has saltwater and freshwater wetlands that span coastal and inland areas throughout the state.  

Saltwater (Coastal) Wetlands 

Coastal wetlands cover about 40 million acres and makeup 38 percent of the total wetland acreage within the boundaries of the United States. The northeast Gulf of Mexico shoreline alone contains about 60 percent of the coastal and freshwater marshes in the United States, including 400,000 to 500,000 acres of salt marsh in northern Florida alone. These saltwater wetland ecosystems like saltwater marshes and mangroves occur in coastal intertidal zones and can be found all along the coasts of Florida. These wetlands and the species that inhabit them have adapted to the saltwater covering them for extended periods of time and support organisms that tolerate salinity changes. Coastal wetlands support organisms that are adapted to live in these dynamic communities and provide protection and stability for coastal areas. They are also the nurseries of the ocean providing a protective haven for many important economic and ecological ocean species to reproduce and grow.  

Freshwater Wetlands 

Everglades National Park is a federally protected area in south Florida that provides habitat for many different species like the American alligator, manatee, and Florida panther. Everglades National Park, founded in 1947, was the first national park designated to protect an ecological system. Since then, the Everglades National Park and the Everglades have also been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. The Everglades National Park contains several examples of saltwater and freshwater wetlands. The Everglades ecosystem includes wetland areas that span from the center of the state to the east, west and southward to Florida Bay. Conservation of these freshwater wetlands is critical to the survival of many species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. In addition, the Everglades are an essential part of recharging the aquifers in Florida which provide drinking water for millions of people. 

Florida Wetlands: Gulf Coast Salt Marshes (ufl.edu) 

Florida: Everglades National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

Salt Marshes | FWC (myfwc.com) 

  

The Coontie Palm (contrary to the name) is a shrub-like plant known as a cycad that is popular in the southeast United States (Florida and Georgia) and other countries such as the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba. A cycad is an ancient seed plant (a plant that produces seeds) that is often stout and has a woody trunk with a crown that has hard, stiff, evergreen leaves. The Coontie is Florida’s only native cycad. The Coontie is very resilient, perfect for dry areas, cold tolerant, and is not particular when it comes to light as some other plants are which makes it perfect for here in south Florida. It is also tolerant of salt spray and drought and is resistant to most diseases and pests. Coontie populations in the wild declined drastically due to overharvesting which also affected the population of Atala butterflies. It is illegal in Florida to collect endangered Coontie from the wild. However, commercially propagated Coontie are available at native garden centers for purchase. 

Plant Use 

Historically this plant has been used as a food source by indigenous tribes in the Caribbean and in Florida, such as the Calusa, the Tequesta, and more recently the Seminoles. The plant itself is poisonous, so tribes learned how to properly prepare the root so it would not be toxic to humans. The roots would be ground down and then processed through water to turn it into flour that would be used to make bread and other types of food. Seminole Indians would also use the stems of this plant to make a strong cordage they would use to weave baskets. More recently, this plant has been used for more ornamental purposes in landscaping. This plant has also been used as a source of starch commercially. This practice is not widespread but is still in use today.  

Symbiotic Relationships  

While this cycad looks beautiful, it can be toxic when ingested or absorbed into the skin. All parts of the Coontie plant are toxic, especially the seeds. Organisms that rely on the Coontie have become adapted to the toxin and are not affected by it. The Atala butterfly has a mutually beneficial relationship with the Coontie. The larvae (caterpillars) of this butterfly feed on the leaves of the Coontie and not only survive ingesting the toxins, but the toxin also makes their own bodies toxic to many predators. This toxicity warning is displayed by their bright coloration in both larval and adult life stages. In return, the waste of the Atala butterfly helps fertilize the soil for the palm. Another example of these symbiotic relationships is the bacteria that live within the root of the Coontie. The bacteria absorb nitrogen out of the air and soil and transform it into a nutrient the plant can use.  

The Apalachicola kingsnake is one of the 46 native snake species that reside here in Florida. Of these species, only 6 are venomous.  Although the Apalachicola king snake is not venomous, when threatened, it often acts like a rattlesnake by flattening its head and shaking its tail.  Instead of using venom to immobilizes it prey, this snake is a constrictor which uses its muscles to constrict or squeeze its prey to death before eating. They are not harmful to humans and will only attack when they feel threatened. Most adult Apalachicola kingsnakes are about 36-48 inches (90-122 cm) in total length. Their color varies between individuals, but these are different from other king snake species as they have a lighter color.   These snakes have a broad diet that includes small mammals, birds and their eggs, amphibians, lizards and turtles and their eggs. They are called king snakes because they eat other snakes, including venomous ones they are immune to. These snakes are found in the eastern and central parts of the Florida panhandle primarily in the eastern Apalachicola lowlands south of Telogia Creek. In this range, they can be found in various ecosystems including the scrub, pinelands, hardwood hammocks, cypress strands, prairies, marshes, estuaries, and along the edges of streams and canals.  

Aquaculture is a farming technique designed to offset commercial fishing practices due to the high demand for these products. This is the practice of growing and tending aquatic plants, animals, and other organisms for commercial, recreational, and scientific purposes. These are grown to supply not only markets with food, but fish for bait, the pet industry, sport fisheries, ornamental practices, and food for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. This is done in both coastal and freshwater settings around the globe- not just here in the US thanks to more modern technological advancements. The growth of the aquaculture industry has also been linked to the limited amount of natural supply of ocean resources to meet increasing demands for fish and shellfish. 

With the positives this brings, however, to help meet demands for the fishing industry, some negatives have risen over the years. One of these concerns is pollution and contamination of local water sources. Waste production within these farms is disposed of in non-effective ways including contaminating local water sources. This has improved over the years with advancements in technology and research, but there are still concerns with waste management. This is where practices like aquaponics become desirable. As you will read below, this practice helps manage waste more efficiently and decreases waste production.  

Aquaponics combines aquaculture with hydroponics allowing farming of fish and crops together. Instead of using water for fish farming and crop production, water is recycled from the fish tanks and used to water crops. By recirculating and filtering the water in this system between the crops and fish, it helps prevent water waste and pollution. This also allows the crops and plants to have access to natural fertilizers and bacteria. These closed-looped systems also help prevent disease spreading among the fish populations increasing the fish’s survival rates. While the idea of farming fish and crops together may not be new, the 1970s and 1980s brought about aquaculture research which helped develop more modern ideas. Recent advances have made it possible for this farming to be done year-round, increasing the industry’s productivity.

I hear them before I see them. A distinct chirping and buzzing sound alerts me to look up and try to spot the quick moving Ruby-throated hummingbird. Although the Ruby-throated hummingbird typically migrates North through Florida in late February through March, they head to South and Central America in late summer to early fall and some even over winter in South Florida. Every year, they make an appearance at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital in late November on our Powderpuff Trees. (Calliandra haematocephala) and hang around for several months. They also love purple salvia and have been spotted at our Orchid and Plant Festivals in December and February flitting around one of our plant vendor’s booth. It is such a thrill to see these beautiful creatures up close. 

Fascinating Facts about Ruby Throated Hummingbirds: 

• only breeding hummingbird in the eastern North America. 
• A Ruby-throated Hummingbird has only about 940 feathers in average, which are all replaced every year. For this, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds hold the record for having the least number of feathers of any bird. 
• It can fly straight to a speed of 25 miles per hour, and 40 miles per hour during courtship dives. 
• While most hummingbirds die within their first year, there are significant numbers of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds that live an average of 3 years or so. The oldest known Ruby-throated Hummingbird has a lifespan of 9 years and 1 month. 
• Despite its small size, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird can fly over 3000 kilometers from the eastern United States, crossing over 1000 kilometers of the Gulf of Mexico to winter in Central America in just one flight. 

Interesting Facts about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird – Hummingbirds Plus 

With the holidays around the corner, we just wanted to take the time and say happy holidays to everyone. We have had another successful year here at our nature center and wildlife hospital helping the community in many different ways. From school programs and outreach events to animal intake, we have been busy doing our mission’s work within the community. This year, our summer camp was able to reach over 100 kids throughout the 10 weeks it was offered. This break camp allows children to become more connected with the world around them through activities and lessons focused on environmental themes. Our hospital was able to help over 1,200 animals such as opossums, squirrels, turtles, and different types of birds including hawks, owls, and songbirds as well. Throughout the year, we were able to reach and help educate over 6,000 individuals through school field trips and outreach visits with our programs. Our year was only successful because of the individuals who helped us including our volunteers. We had over 400 volunteers that were able to log over 7,000 hours with us. This includes volunteers who help us take care of our property, ones who help in our hospital with animal husbandry, and in our office with data input and customer service. Lastly, we were able to reach over 7,000 individuals through visitation, outreach, and events that we host and over 150,000 people through our social media platforms.

If you would like to help us continue our work here, please consider donating below.

  

The winter solstice is an annual occurrence that marks the shortest day of the year. During this time, the sun appears lowest in the sky and the Earth receives less sunlight- the days are shorter, and the nights are longer. This is due to the rotation of the Earth around the sun. In December, the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, and the winter solstice marks the time of the year when the northern hemisphere of the Earth is tilted farthest away from the sun. The opposite is occurring in the southern hemisphere. There the winter solstice is celebrated in June because in December, the southern hemisphere is tilted closer to the sun and in June, it is tilted away from the sun due to the rotation of Earth on its axis.  

If you look back in history, the winter solstice historically has been a time of celebration for many different religions and cultures to celebrate the winter season and the return of light after harvest. There has been proof of humans observing the winter solstice as early as 10,200 BC (around the end of the Stone Age). These traditions and celebrations often are accompanied by fire and light to celebrate the return of light. This is because after the winter solstice, days start becoming longer and the nights shorter as spring approaches.  

In November of this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the plant hardiness zones. Although this might not seem like a big deal, changes in these zones could have greater impacts than you would expect. Plant hardiness zones are standards used by gardeners and growers to help determine which plants can grow and survive in your local area. These hardiness zones are determined based on each location’s average annual minimum temperature. These annual minimum temperatures affect the plants and insects that can survive over the winter. Insect species need to be considered in this because they also affect the types of plants that can survive in an area. Insects help contribute to beneficial processes for plants such as pollination, controlling pests, and maintaining healthy soil. Without the assistance of these insects, these plants would not survive.  

Due to increasing temperatures, these zones have needed to be adjusted. This affects not only the native plants in your area but the crops that farmers grow as well. With the change in hardiness zones, these growers need to make sure that the variety of plants they are growing can withstand these new conditions. In addition to the annual minimum temperature, other factors such as local rainfall and soil type also affect which plants can survive in an area. This could lead to issues down the road. These shifting conditions could expand the range of harmful and/or invasive plant and insect species which can overtake native species and cause competition within the ecosystem.  

See the updated map (linked below) to ensure success with your garden  

What’s Your Planting Zone? | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | The Old Farmer’s Almanac 

 World Wildlife Conservation Day is celebrated in the US on December 4^th every year. This day recognizes the continuous efforts to help protect and preserve the declining populations of plant and animal species worldwide. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (the most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus, and plant species) over 42,000 species are currently at risk of extinction. Of the total assessed species, 27% of mammals, 41% of amphibians, 13% of birds, 21% of reptiles, 37% of sharks and rays, and 28% of crustaceans are under threat. This is due to various factors including habitat loss (the decline of viable habitat), habitat fragmentation (the separation of habitat), hunting and poaching efforts, competition among species, and a lack of genetic diversity.  

This day also focuses on helping to combat wildlife crime and working to help enforce efforts set forth in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA was created to help ensure the survival of species by protecting organisms that are threatened or endangered. This is done through seeking out and funding education and local conservation efforts, funding and providing the necessary means for research and data collection, and having governmental organizations (USFWS, NOAA, etc.) carry out work as well. These actions have helped improve the populations of many species that are threatened and have helped bring some species back from extinction. Some efforts have been so successful that some species have even been taken off the endangered species list. Animals like the bald eagle and American alligator were originally placed on this list, but with funding and efforts assisted by the ESA, were able to successfully recover and be taken off the list.  

Below is a list of ways you can help conserve wildlife: 

• Be more mindful of what you choose to support 

• Some of the products you use daily such as body wash and make-up are made from materials that can be harmful to the planet. Items such as palm oil and microbeads have had a negative impact on the environment. Be sure to research the products you use and the ingredients in them if you want to be more environmentally conscious. Buying from sustainable brands and sites helps the planet from reducing emissions and waste to supporting environmental organizations through these brands and companies. 

• Support local environmental center and areas  

• By supporting local areas and centers, you help support local conservation efforts in your community. Local organizations are focused on regional concerns such as native animal rehabilitation, environmental education, research, and conservation efforts that can have an impact in your backyard.  

• Backyard ecosystem  

• Your own backyard can be a chance to help improve local populations. By having native plants in your backyard and incorporating items such as bird baths and butterfly habitats, you can help support native species. Simple things like this help ensure the survival of pollinators which are valuable to the ecosystem. Bird baths provide rest as well for not only bird species, but for small insects as well.