Species Information
09/29/2005
This page discusses Endangered and Threatened species in south Florida, and presents life history and legal information for each listed species regulated by the South Florida Ecological Services Field Office.
Why do We Care About Endangered & Threatened Species in South Florida?
While extinctions do occur naturally, scientific evidence strongly suggests that the current rate of extinction is much higher than the natural rate. Some scientists estimate that this rate may multiply by 10 over the next hundred years, largely because of modern human activity. The primary force driving this loss is habitat destruction. Exploitation, the introduction of exotic (non-native) organisms and the spread of disease also pose significant risks to the planet's biological heritage.
Every species contains a unique storehouse of genetic material. Once lost, this genetic fingerprint cannot be duplicated. Scientists have only investigated about 2% of the more than 250,000 known plant species for possible medicinal values. The chemical secrets of most species have yet to be unraveled for potential benefits to mankind. No matter how small or obscure a species, it could one day help all of us.
Many seemingly insignificant forms of life are beginning to show important benefits in agriculture. Some farmers are beginning to use insects and other animals that compete with or prey on certain crop pests, as well as using plants containing natural toxic compounds that repel harmful insects. These are called "biological controls", and in many cases they are a safe, effective, and less expensive alternative to synthetic chemicals. The Lake Placid mint, an endangered species known only from central Florida, may have benefits to crop production because it produces a potent chemical that repels insects, including ants.
What if an Endangered or Threatened Species Lives on your Property?
Flora or Fauna??? The type of endangered species(plant? animal?) makes a difference in the level of protection it receives under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Plants are protected if FEDERAL permits or funds are involved in your project, or if the listed species is located on federal lands. However, if no federal permits are involved, and your state's laws don't protect rare plants, you won't be violating the Endangered Species Act if your project destroys a listed plant.
Whoa! Why not think twice before you bury, dig up, or kill that plant? Roughly half of our medicines originate from plants and animals, and scientists are discovering new uses and cures every day. Aspirin originated from the willow tree; penicillin from a mold. The rosy periwinkle plant holds the key to fighting rare blood cancers. And taxol, a possible cure for both ovarian and breast cancer, comes from the Pacific yew, once considered a "waste tree". If the plant species on your property becomes extinct, what future benefits could we lose forever?
Then there's the animal kingdom. As we said, different regulations apply if a threatened or endangered animal makes its home at your place. The federal ESA says "taking" an endangered or threatened animal species is illegal. That means you cannot "...harm, harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect any threatened or endangered species" or even try to do so. And "harm" may also include modifying habitat enough to kill or injure a listed species.
What to do? So how do you harvest your timber, manage, or otherwise develop your property? If you think there might be an endangered or threatened species on your land, the first step is to contact your state fish and wildlife agency or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Very often, by working at a certain time of year or making other project modifications, development projects proceed without a hitch.
If there are federal funds or permits involved in your project, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Chances are good that the ESA won't stop your project. As a matter of fact, of the more than 100,000 federally funded or authorized projects carried out in the last 15 years where there were threatened or endangered species issues, only 34 projects were stopped because of major impacts to the species. Federal biologists will give you technical assistance and help you find workable solutions.
If there are no federal funds or permits involved in your project, then it's time to look into applying for an incidental take permit and developing a Habitat Conservation Plan.
Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) An incidental take permit allows a landowner to legally proceed with an activity that would otherwise result in an illegal "take" of a listed species. In order to get one of these permits, you'll need to develop an HCP. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists will guide you through the development of your plan. The Service is currently working to streamline and simplify the HCP process for the landowner.
HCPs are conservation plans specifically developed to manage a threatened or endangered species and its habitat within a certain geographical area. They are usually long term plans developed in cooperation with local communities, businesses, state, and federal agencies. If you're a private property owner with a small project in mind, HCPs can be smaller-scale management plans. The theory behind the HCP is you can get your project done and yet contribute to the conservation of a threatened or endangered species. The incidental take permit is legal protection for you in case a listed species is "taken" despite your best efforts.
Related Links:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Endangered Species Home Page
Endangered Species Act: Section 7 Consultations
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program Headquarters
Department of Transportation - TEA-21 and Environmental Streamlining
For More Information:
Contact the Endangered Species Program Coordinator, Dana Hartley.
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