Slow the flow: Why should we care about stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff is water from rainfall that flows along the land surface. This runoff usually finds its way into the nearest ditch or water body, such as a river, stream, lake or pond. Generally speaking, in natural undeveloped areas only 10% of rainfall is runoff....
NISAW 2017: Bamboo
Standing in the midst of a stand of bamboo, it’s easy to feel dwarfed. Smooth and sturdy, the hollow, sectioned woody shoots of this fascinating plant can tower as tall as 70 feet. Unfortunately, bamboo is a real threat to natural ecosystems, moving quickly through...
NISAW 2017: The Kudzu Bug
A few years ago, Florida is extended a warm welcome to a new pest – The Kudzu Bug! The kudzu bug was first documented in the US in 2009 in Northeast Georgia. It has quickly spread throughout the southeast. At first, a pest that attacks kudzu sounds pretty good but...
NISAW 2017: Cuban Treefrog—Invasive Invader in Florida
Guest Blogger - Dr. Steve A. Johnson, Associate Professor & Extension Specialist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida The National Invasive Species Council defines an invasive species as one that is introduced outside its native...
NISAW 2017: Trying to Stay Ahead of Beach Vitex
Research shows that the most effective time to deal with an invasive species, both in terms of controlling or eradicating the species and money spent to do so, is early on…. What we call Early Detection Rapid Response. Beach vitex is a good candidate for this. The...
NISAW 2017: Laurel Wilt
Many invasive plants and insects are introduced in packing materials, including 12 species of ambrosia beetles, which embed themselves in wood used as crates and pallets. While these tiny beetles don’t actually feed on wood, the adults and larvae feed on fungi that is...
NISAW 2017: Fungal Pathogen Invaders
Special Guest Blogger - Lorraine Ketzler, Biological Science Technician with US Fish and Wildlife Service There have been several fungal invaders entering and spreading within the US in recent years and I’d like to draw attention to four of them: White-nose Syndrome...
NISAW 2017: Cuban Anole
The brown anole, a lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas, first appeared in the Florida Keys in 1887. Since then it has moved northward becoming established in nearly every county in Florida. By hitching a ride on boats and cars, as well as, hanging out in landscape...
NISAW 2017: It is Common and Abundant, but Torpedo Grass is Still a Problem
They say the best time to attack an invasive species is early in its arrival. In the early stages is your best chance, using the most cost effective methods, of eradicating an invasive species from a region. Hence our focus on Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR)...
NISAW 2017: Micro-Invasives can Cause Big Problems – Bacterial Pathogens
If we look at the big picture when it comes to invasive species, some of the smallest organisms on the planet should pop right into focus. A microscopic bacterium named Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the cause of Citrus Greening (HLB), has devastated the citrus...