Species ID
This member of the palm family is very popular and often displayed in imagery about Florida’s tropical landscape, despite actually being invasive.
What is the coconut palm?
Florida has the only one of these in the United States.
What is a living coral bank reef?
This is the biggest threat to Florida’s manatee populations.
What are boat strikes?
Of the trash collected on Florida beaches, about 70-80% are these, which can harm or kill organisms if ingested.
What are plastics?
This is an easy way for visitors or residents to help preserve Florida’s beach and dune systems.
What is participate in a beach cleanup?
This species, while being the state tree of Florida, is not actually a tree.
What is the cabbage palm?
Florida has more of these than any state.
This marine gastropod (snail) is highly sought after for its meat and shell and was severely overharvested throughout recent history. This led to it becoming a protected species in Florida.
What is the queen conch?
This is the greatest threat to Florida wildlife populations today.
What is habitat loss?
This is something that can be done in your own backyard to protect ecosystem stability and the ecological niches of Florida’s flora and fauna.
What is planting native species/not planting invasive species?
Red mangroves exclude salt through the process of reverse osmosis. Any salt that is not obtained is concentrated and released through the use of this.
What is a sacrificial leaf?
Florida’s coastal upland habitats include dunes, which are affected by a high level of disturbance. Species like this are necessary for dune stabilization and are greatly impacted by physical human activity.
What are sea oats?
This negatively impacts sea turtle hatchlings’ ability to reach the ocean after they hatch.
What is light pollution/streetlights?
Mangroves are at risk due to development and urbanization. In a state with frequent natural disturbances like Florida, this puts humans at risk because of the reduction of this important function they provide.
What is storm surge buffering/protection from hurricanes?
Florida’s coral reefs are sensitive ecosystems that can be harmed by tourists. When snorkeling or diving off the reefs, using this is one of the best ways to protect the corals from harmful chemicals.
What is reef-safe sunscreen?
This colorful fish is one of the most abundant families on Florida reefs and is known for its beak-like teeth and sleeping in a cocoon of mucus.
What is the parrotfish?
It may not be evident from their high productivity and large number of resident species, but many of Florida’s ecosystems, including coral reefs and mangrove forests are this, meaning they are naturally nutrient-poor environments.
What is oligotrophic?
Florida has many native wading bird and shorebird species, such as the white ibis and little blue heron. This aspect of their morphology helps them occupy different niches and successfully feed.
What is bill shape and size?
Florida’s seagrass beds are essential ecosystems that support a variety of organisms. As a result of humans, they are threatened by these.
What are pollution/runoff or physical damage?
This action can help prevent eutrophication of Florida’s systems, like coral reefs. Doing so can protect hundreds of species.
What is reducing fertilizer usage?
The appearance of these at the base of the leaf means that this species is a white mangrove.
What are nectaries?
These Florida ecosystems, while often overlooked, are essential nurseries for fish, crustaceans, bivalves, etc. and are some of the most productive ecosystems on Earth.
What are seagrass meadows?
This common phenomenon that frequently affects Florida’s beaches, despite being dangerous to humans and animals alike, is completely natural and is a result of the rapid reproduction of a species of dinoflagellate (algae).
What is red tide?
Climate change and anthropogenic impacts affect many of Florida’s species, including its threatened and endangered sea turtle species. Rising temperatures in particular is currently impacting them by leading to this, raising concerns about the stability of future populations.
What is more female hatchlings than males/ a disproportionate ratio of females/males?
When visiting Florida, you can support local economies while helping coral reef ecosystems by participating in one of these, an event used to manage one of Florida’s most well-known invasive fishes.
What is a lionfish derby?