Alien species (I am, of course, not talking about
intergalactic aliens), both plants and animals, can be a hazardous problem
for an ecosystem and the well-being of those involved in it, such as
people. This month, I offer you a bit of a primer – a general
idea – on invasive alien species and their effects on the Everglades.
I will elaborate on some of these interesting and, sadly, problematic
species, in future columns.
Invasive alien species, or nonnative species,
overtake native populations due to their extreme adaptability and behavior
that is contrary to not only native species, but to the very ecological
systems they invade. Invasive species can wreak havoc, as they have
been for at least a century in the Everglades. Our local tropical swamp
is considered a sensitive ecosystem because it has, for a long
time, cultivated a unique, tender balance of complex elements, of water,
land, plants and animals. Unfortunately, it is an ecosystem that man's
influence easily reaches – more than, say, the sturdy Rocky
Mountains, which people happen to find hard to live directly upon, by
the way – and alien life forms are no good for the Everglades.
The most frustrating thing about the general onslaught
of invasive species is the innocence, or the ignorance, with which they
are brought into new places. Often, in the case of plants, they are
introduced because of their aesthetic quality, by man. They are also
introduced through the spread of their seeds by birds, insects and other
means. As for animals, well, there's only so many ways a native Asian
species can arrive in the Everglades, and it's not by procuring a first
class ticket on China Airlines. Man's deliberate or accidental introduction
of nonnative species is the major cause, which means the problems in
the Everglades are our fault.
Too bad there isn't another sentient being we
can blame all this stuff on, eh? Doesn't it stink that it comes down
to our generation, and future ones, fixing what someone else broke?
That is part of life, my friends, just as we have reaped the benefits
of the things past generations have done, we must compensate for their
errors, innocent or not.
The consequences of introducing alien species
are, generally, not as obviously threatening to us as to other animals
and plants, but they have an effect that will prove significant to us,
eventually, if not controlled by that master of all beasts, mankind.
Already there are allergic reactions and other human health problems
blamed on nonnative species of plants. Good thing there's folks out
there with a passion for such things, and who have an interest in doing
something about it. The federal government is committed, with such agencies
as the National Park Service (one of my favorites) and the U.S. Geological
Survey; our congressmen may be involved, and they can can help –
be sure he or she knows your opinions. Plus, there are businesses and
nonprofit organizations involved in the control of our past mistakes.
You can take an interest in all of it, and help them, too. You might
even learn something and have a bit of fun while lending a hand.
We can all do something about it by not
doing some things, actually. It's as simple as not setting free exotic
(that is, nonnative) pet animals in the wild or plunking invasive and
exotic plants in some dirt out back. On the other hand, it can be as
complex – and rewarding – as getting a good education and
becoming one of the experts, knowing what's good and what's bad for
our surroundings and reacting appropriately. (I don't claim any expertise
in environmental matters, but there's plenty of such experts out there,
and I've found a treasure trove of resources, some of which you'll see
at the end of this column.)
In South Florida, what's bad for the Everglades,
like it or not, is bad for us. Consider this: if you have a noisy neighbor,
it can irk you, and this idea of taking a little responsibility –
being unlike your noisy neighbor – is not terribly difficult.
I am not saying you should accept the blame for the problem, unless
you are part of it. I am encouraging you to be a hero: accept responsibility
for the gaffs of the past century and help fix them, if only by encouraging
those who work at conservation and restoration do their jobs (see my
prior comment about contacting your congressman). I suspect that some
people couldn't actually take responsibility for something if they were
asked to do so or be strapped to the back of an alligator; it's a foreign
concept. For most of us, though, it's simply a question of awareness.
It's almost unconscious, getting familiar with something and suddenly
we're aware. (Not in the way your neighbor seems to be unconscious,
as in, unaware he is being a nuisance.)
The impact of nonnative species is much more subtle
and damaging to native species than the impact on us by that guy across
the way who holds public concerts of his CD collection. I learned from
the National Park Service that, besides losing habitat (primarily, man's
communities encroaching on their domain and pushing them out), invasive
nonnative species are the greatest threat to the survival of native
species.
In Everglades National Park, alien plants and
animals are harming native species right now, this instant. One could
argue that it is survival of the fittest, and besides that being inaccurate,
it is simply – well – it simply isn't that simple. Consider
the examples that follow.
The primary plant invaders: The Brazilian pepper
plant, Australian melaleuca tree (in the eucalyptus family, by the way),
hydrilla, and water hyacinth are nonnative plants that have had their
run of the Everglades, some more prominently than others, and the experts
have discovered that they are ruining it for native plants.
The Australian melaleuca has an especially disappointing
story, as it was actually brought to the Everglades to control the reach
of the marshland. A hundred years ago, this nonnative plant was brought
in, and with seeds numbering in the millions, they really got around,
hurting native life. The effect didn’t happen in generations,
but in just a few years. We're still paying a big price for it, economically
and environmentally. It has had such an impact that some areas are no
longer reachable by tourists, and more importantly, animals and native
plants, limiting the native habitat. This is a plant that literally
costs millions to control, as we are able, and in tourism dollars as
it strangles the marshland. Score one for the shortsightedness of man's
intentions in the early 1900s.
On the animals list, the possible threat of the
Asian swamp eel is a notable example of a potentially terrible invasion,
as they have been spotted very close to the Everglades. This slimey
creature is amazingly adaptable, and eats most any small creature, from
fish to frogs to insects. There are several species of nonnative fish
– more than 60 of them – in the Everglades. One enticing
– in a frightening way – example of a nonnative species
in the Everglades is one of the largest species of snake: the Burmese
python. This slithery beast, which is a native of Asia, can grow to
20 feet in length and can dine on a full-grown deer.
I hope I’ve intrigued you. I’ll offer
much more in the future on these plants and animals that have "invaded"
the Everglades. I must run, so until next month, dare to be more aware,
and enjoy yourself a little while you're at it!
How to learn more:
To learn more about the Everglades, I suggest
you visit the Everglades in person, but to learn some facts and be more
aware, visit your local library and find books on the subjects that
fit your whimsy. Also, the National Park Service or the U.S. Geological
Survey are both good starts to planning any learning venture into the
Everglades. If you can't hike it today, then visit their sites; they
offer plenty on invasive species. The NPS main site is www.nps.gov,
but go straight to the "Weeds Gone Wild" section, www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.html,
for more on alien plant invaders. Discover the USGS aquatic resources
at cars.er.usgs.gov/
and click on "invasive species" link for more on invasive
water creatures. Visit www.nps.gov/ever/eco/exotics.htm
for a general comment on invasive species locally. I'll tell you more
myself in future writing, too.
The University of Florida, part of the "Partnership
in Global Learning," offers online information that discusses invasive
plants and animals. Learn online at www.pgl.ufl.edu/modules/alien/index.html.
Also try www.invasiveplants.net
for invading plants info. For invasive animals, see an online book published
by U of F, at aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/mctitle.html
(there's no "www." in the address), about nonnative species
in Florida, and click on "Contents."
Will "Gator" Wade
is a freelance writer and adventurer with interests in wildlife, history
and dangerous pursuits.
He is currently based in South Florida.