Invasive and Exotic species within the Everglades!

Exotic and Invasive species within the Everglades:

By Coleman

There are many different Invasive exotic species in the Everglades. The species are bad to have in the Eco system because they steal resources from the native animals and plants that belong in the Everglades. A few examples of the Invasive Exotic plants in the area:

The Chinese tallow tree: This tree is a threat to the Everglades because it easily invades forests that are very wet. It is able to displace native plants it also can change soil conditions due to a high leaf litter. This tree was originated in China. It was brought to the United States in 1776 for seed oil production.

The Japanese Climbing Fern: This Fern is a Climbing fern that can reach the length of 90ft. It usually grows in a disturbed area. Like a road of a trail. The fern is so big that native plants bushes and shrubs are smothered by the plant and are cut off of water and sunlight. The fern grows in east Asia and was introduced to the United States for ornamental purposes.

Senegal Date Plum: The Senegal Date Plum is a tall tree that grows plums. The plums on the tree are edible to animals and humans. The tree grows in a wet area where there is enough water. What makes it invasive is that it will absorb water that is for native plants. It originates in western Africa mostly Senegal. It was brought to the United States for ornamental purposes.




Example of Invasive Animals:

Cane Toad: The toad contains a toxic slime that is produced when the toad is in danger. If a native bird of snake tried to eat the toad the toad would produce this toxic slime and it would kill the bird or the snake. The toad’s population is increasing dramatically. It is so common now that native bird and snake population is going down either from starvation or from being poisoned by the toad. It was first introduced to the United States in 1957 for unknown reasons.


Capybara: The largest rodent on earth may have been introduced to the Everglades when the animals escaped from a research center. The animals have been breading, sights of the animals are rare. The Capybara may be a threat to the native mammals because of its size and food consumption.


Oscar Fish: This fish was introduced from the Amazon. It is a large fish with sharp teeth. It is a threat to the natives because it steels food from them. The natives then die of starvation. It was introduced by people dumping their aquariums into the river canals.

Common Boa: This snake was introduced to Florida in 1990 by people releasing their pets. The snake is a powerful animal and kills all of the native birds and mammals. Breeding has been recorded. The snake’s numbers are increasing. Their habitat consists of rock land in the dryer parts of the Everglade Biboliography

Everglades CISMA. "Chinese Tallow Tree." evergladescisma. Available from http://www.evergladescisma.org/species/subinfo.cfm?sub=3079. Internet; accessed 28 February 2010.

Bargeron,, C. (2007). Japanese climbing fern. Invasive species. Retrieved (2010, February 28) from http://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5302045

Everglades CISMA. "Corporate Invasive species management area." evergladescisma. Available from http://www.evergladescisma.org/index.cfm. Internet; accessed 28 February 2010.