Invasibility: Lessons from South Florida

Abstract

South Florida contains more conspicuous introduced plants and animals than any other region in the continental United States. At the same time the region also encompasses one of the largest contiguous complexes of preserved ecosystems in the eastern U.S. (Fig. 13.1.). Everglades National Park, dedicated in 1947, covers about 2500 (terrestrial) km2; the Big Cypress National Preserve, established only a decade ago, occupies 2300 km2; and the Fakahatchee State Preserve, whose acquisition by the State of Florida began in 1974, contains about 200 km2. An additional 3600 km2 are included in the three diked basins with modified hydroperiods controlled since 1949 by the South Florida Water Management District. Most of the introduced species that cause concern in South Florida were present before government agencies gained control of these lands.