Endemic Taxa in the Flora of South Florida
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Material Information

Title:
Endemic Taxa in the Flora of South Florida Report T-558
Creator:
South Florida Natural Resources Center/South Florida Research Center, Everglades National Park
George N. Avery
Lloyd L. Loope
Place of Publication:
Homestead
Florida
Publisher:
National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Publication Date:

Notes

Abstract:
The island-like tropical area of South Florida possesses a very remarkable flora by North American standards, with a high percentage of species having tropical affinities and with fairly high local endemism. Hundreds of plant species known from the United States are found only in Florida south of Lake Okeechobee. Many of these species occur on various Caribbean islands and elsewhere in the Neotropics. This report treats those taxa endemic to South Florida, occurring in peninsular Florida southbf Lake Okeechobee and/or on the Florida Keys, and found nowhere else. The flora of South Florida is being subjected to intense pressure from human activities (urbanization, drainagk: agriculture, introduction of exotic species, etc.). Natural ecosystems are rapidly disappearing outside the boundaries of areas specifically devoted to ecological conservation. Rare species in South Florida's flora, and endemic taxa particularly, are seriously threatened with extirpation if secure populations do not occur within conservation at-eas. Rare species are by no means assured of survival within preserves, since habitatg manipulation or special protection may be required and since hurricanes ahd fires can have catastrophic effects over large areas. More detailed study of South Florida's flora will assist conservation efforts. This report is intended as a contribution toward that objective. ( English )

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Holding Location:
South Florida Natural Resource Center
Rights Management:
Please contact the owning institution for licensing and permissions. It is the user's responsibility to ensure use does not violate any third party rights.
Resource Identifier:
I29.95: T-558 ( sudoc )