The Florida Panhandle Initiative -

Protecting Biodiversity in Northwest Florida

The Florida Panhandle Initiative concentrates on three eco-regions in northwest Florida: the Red Hills / St. Marks River Eco-Region; the Apalachicola Eco-Region, and the Gulf Coastal Plain Eco-Region. Each of these eco-regions is made up of a major river system, the river's drainage area, and the coastal areas into which the rivers flow. Together these eco-regions cover most of the lands of the Florida Panhandle. Preserving the natural biodiversity of these areas is a fundamental goal of the Florida Panhandle Initiative

• What does biodiversity mean?

  Biodiversity is the overall diversity of life on Earth. Biodiversity refers not only to the many and various species of plants, animals, and other life forms, but also the variety of habitats that these species depend upon, and the genetic differences among individuals and groups in each species.

• Why is biodiversity important?

  All of the many species, habitats, and unique organisms play a part in the web of life. Biodiversity is essential to healthy ecosystems, and healthy ecosystems are necessary to support our families and communities. Nature's ecosystems provide us with clean air and clean water, make our cities livable, give us beauty and recreation, and protect thousands of species of plants and animals. Natural systems are the source of foods and medicines, and the materials necessary for many industries and businesses.

  In the Florida Panhandle, healthy ecosystems support tree farming and timber industries, agriculture, and fisheries, which are all important parts of our economy. The beauty and wonder of our natural places has been enjoyed by generations of hunters and fisherman, and attracts visitors from around the world. Preserving biodiversity is necessary to maintain the natural systems that provide all these benefit. We have a responsibility to care for the natural systems that protect the health of our families and communities and to maintain a healthy environment for future generations.

  Learn more about ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGING LAND USE

  Learn more about the meaning and importance of biodiversity, and what we can do to protect biodiversity, at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW064.

• What is special about biodiversity in the Florida Panhandle?

  River systems and their drainage areas are particularly important habitats. Habitats in and near to river systems tend to support the greatest variety of life; many rare species and unique communities of plants and animals are found close to rivers. This is certainly true of the Florida Panhandle.

  The Panhandle is home to many rare animals and plants. For example, in all of Florida the Eastern Chipmunk is found only in the Escambia, Blackwater, and Choctawhatchee River basins, all in the Gulf Coastal Plain Eco-Region. And the coastal areas of Gulf and Franklin Counties, in the Apalachicola River basin, provide winter homes for the rare Peregrine Falcon. The longleaf pine forests of northwest Florida are the habitat of the threatened Florida Black Bear, the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, and the Pine Barrens Treefrog, which is unique to the Florida Panhandle. The wetlands of the Panhandle are home to the American Alligator and many endangered or threatened bird species, and endangered West Indian Manatee, Bald Eagles, Snowy Egret, and Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle can be found in the coastal areas of the region.

  The Escambia River and the Choctawhatchee River basins, and parts of the Apalachicola River, also have the highest occurrences of rare fish species in the state. Some of these fish, such as the Okaloosa Darter, the Bluestripe Shiner, and the Florida Logperch, are found nowhere else in the world.

  Learn more about "NW Florida Wildlife in Danger of Extinction" at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW067.

  Other Good Links to Panhandle Biodiversity

  1. Florida Fish and Wildlife - Habitat Planning Section Publication Page
  2. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - GIS - Habitat Planning Page
  3. "SOUTHEASTERN U. S. COASTAL PLAIN HABITATS OF THE PLETHODONTIDAE: THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIEF, RAVINES, AND SEEPAGE" by D. BRUCE MEANS Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, 1313 N. Duval Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303, USA ©20000 D. Bruce Means.
  4. Reproductive Biology of the Alabama Red Hills Salamander
  5. BIOGEOGRAPHY AND PATTERN VARIATION OF KINGSNAKES, LAMPROPELTIS GETULA, IN THE APALACHICOLA REGION OF FLORIDA
  6. The Coastal Plains Institute (CPI) is a nonprofit organization in Florida. It's main purpose is the preservation of the biotic diversity of the Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States.
  7. Protecting Biodiversity (Article)- White-topped pitcher plants dot the wet landscape of the Perdido Pitcher Plant Prairie in the Florida Panhandle, a biodiversity hot spot.
  8. PLECOPTERA OF FLORIDA: BIODIVERSITY AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION. A.K. Rasmussen, M.L. Pescador, and B.A. Richard. Center for Water Quality, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307-4100
  9. Wild Florida Biodiversity Site
  10. Wild Florida, Seepage Bogs - Unique Wetlands
  11. Wild Florida- Apalachicola Ravines
  12. Sarracenia and Other Carnivorous Plants (This article was first published in the Carnivorous Plant Society Journal (UK) Vol. 21 pp.49-56) Sarracenia in the Apalachicola National Forest, northern Florida.
• What threatens biodiversity in the Panhandle?

  Poorly planned development and industrial and agricultural pollutants threaten the special species and habitats of the Florida Panhandle.

  As waters flow across the farmlands and tree farms of the Florida Panhandle, they wash soils, fertilizers, pesticides and other pollutants into our rivers. Many plants and animals are very sensitive to these changes, and die off as their habitats are altered. Wastewater discharge and stormwater runoff from developed areas also pollute rivers and destroy habitats. For example, pollution of the Apalachicola River and Bay threaten the fisheries and oyster beds of the Bay, which are vital to the local economy.

  Learn more about "Threats to Florida's Biodiversity" at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_UW107 .

• How will the Panhandle Initiative help?

  1000 Friends of Florida's Panhandle Initiative seeks to help communities of NW Florida to balance smart development and supporting productive farmlands with protecting their unique and important environmental resources. The Initiative is directed at promoting improved land use planning by developing better information and materials which citizens and elected and appointed officials can use to make positive, smart growth improvements. We believe this will lead to better protection of natural systems in the Florida Panhandle and improved quality of life in our communities.

  Links

  • Wildlife Monographs - Setting Priorities for the Conservation of Fish and Wildlife Species in Florida (Millsap, Gore, Runde and, Cerulean)
  • FFWCC - FRESHWATER FISHES--Endangered, Threatened or of Special Concern Aquatic Gap Project - Fish Community
  • The Nature Conservancy - Florida www.tncflorida.org
  • Florida Natural Areas Inventory - organization dedicated to tracking Florida's biodiversitywww.fnai.org
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • 1997 Environmental Science Institute Land Use and Biodiversity

• Institute of Food and Agricultural Services
• KeyStone Species - A collection of articles and responses submitted by Conservation Ecology readers
• The Ecological Society of America - Issues in Ecology - Issues in Ecology reports are available in two formats: Adobe Acrobat and text only versions. Acrobat versions contain all graphs and pictures and are suitable for printing.
  • Human Alteration of the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Cause and Consequences
  • Ecosystem Services: Benefits Supplied to Human Societies by Natural Ecosystems
  • Nonpoint Pollution of Surface Waters with Phosphorus and Nitrogen
  • Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Maintaining Natural Life Support Processes
  • Biotic Invasions: Epidemiology, Global Consequences and Control
  • Applying Ecological Principles to Management of the U.S. National Forests
  • Nutrient Pollution of Coastal Rivers, Bays, and Seas
  • Effects of Aquaculture on World Fish Supplies
  • Water In A Changing World

• Springs Fever: A Field and Recreational Guide to Florida Springs - Provides the following information for more than 300 individual springs in north and central Florida: · A summary and rating of features, · Precise directions, · Detailed physical descriptions, · Photographs, · Information on access, recreation, and other utilization · History and lore, · Lists of other springs and preserve areas near each spring, · Contact information (where applicable), and · Personal observations.
• Protecting Florida's Springs - Land Use Planning Strategies and Best Management Practices (2002 - Prepared by 1000Friends of Florida for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Community Affairs.)
• Florida Wildflower Showcase
• Threatened, Endangered, and Special-Status Species/Communities That Occur or Potentially Occur on Eglin and Tyndell AFB Including Cape San Blas
• GUIDE TO THE NATURAL COMMUNITIES OF FLORIDA prepared by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and Florida Department of Natural Resources February 1990