Environmental Resources Management

Habitat destruction

The Earth is constantly changing, causing habitats to be altered and modified. Natural changes often occur at a gradual pace, usually causing only a slight impact on individual species. However, when sudden changes occur at a fast pace, there is little or no time for individual species to react and adjust to the new surroundings. Because of this, habitat loss is the number one cause of species extinction.

Introduction of exotic species

Native species are those plants and animals that are part of a specific geographic area, and have been a part of that landscape for a prolonged period of time. They are well adapted to their local environment. Exotic species are those that are introduced into new environments by humans. They may not cause obvious problems, but often times seriously disrupt delicate ecological balances and may produce harmful consequences. Native species must compete with the exotics for food, shade, and water. When the native species lose out the newly introduced exotics, they are in danger of becoming extinct.

Overexploitation

A species that has been overexploited is at risk of becoming endangered or even extinct. When the rate in which the species is being used is higher than the rate of reproduction, extinction is likely. Unrestricted whaling during the 20th century is an example of overexploitation, and the whaling industry brought many species of whales to extremely low population sizes. When several whale species were nearly extinct, a number of nations created an international moratorium on whaling. Due to this moratorium, the grey whale population has been restored. Many species continue to suffer high rates of exploitation due to the popular animal trade and for various traditional and holistic medicines made from animal parts.

Currently, Florida has 111 Endangered and threatened plant and animal species. Animal species include the American Crocodile, West Indian Manatee, Key Deer, Florida Panther and the Green Sea Turtle. Plant Species include the Paw-Paw, Prickly-apple, Scrub Mint and Johnson's seagrass.