Florida
Study identifies potentially invasive species for Florida
Study reveals next invasive species threat in FL
A Florida study revealed the next invasive species threats in the sunshine state.
TAMPA, Fla. – University of Florida scientists led a study aimed at identifying potentially invasive species for the state.
The team of experts, which included researchers, agencies, and nonprofit organizations, studied 460 species. Creatures were given a score based on their likelihood of establishment and spread in the state. The experts also factored in the species’ potential to negatively affect the ecosystem and economy.
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“If we could stop them before they got established, we could save a lot of money and protect the habitats,” lead scientist Dr. Deah Lieurance, who is now an assistant professor of invasive species, biology, and management at Penn State University, said. “We have pretty unique ecosystems in Florida we’d like to try to keep as pristine as possible.”
The following are species the study targeted as being potentially invasive in Florida:
ALEWIFE FISH
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the alewife is a small herring that can restructure a lake’s food web, leaving less food for native species.
“It can have some big-picture effects on the ecosystem,” Lieurance said.
ZEBRA MUSSELS
Zebra mussels are one of the most troublesome invasive species in North America, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC); The agency describes them as “common hitchhikers on boats, fishing equipment and aquarium plants.”
READ: Wildlife officials warn of ‘moss ball’ dangers to ecosystem
In addition, zebra mussels can be found in moss balls, which are a rare form of algae that some people use to filter water in aquariums.
The FWC issued a warning about moss balls and their danger to the ecosystem in 2021.
RED SWAMP CRAYFISH
According to USGS, “the red swamp crayfish is readily available through the biological supply trade and may be released following classroom or laboratory use.”
“We had quite a few crayfish that made the top 40 list,” Lieurance said.
CRAB-EATING MACAQUE MONKEYS
“This was my surprise species,” Lieurance said. “They do eat crabs, as their name implies, but they’re also a very close relative to the macaques that we already have here in Florida.”
It’s one reason why these monkeys got the highest possible ranking for the likelihood of invasion and threat to human health.
READ: Population of Florida monkeys — that carry herpes — is growing, study says
Crab-eating macaque monkeys are related to the rhesus macaque monkeys. Some rhesus macaque monkeys found in Silver Springs State Park in Marion County were found to carry the herpes virus.
“I think the biggest value in this study is to bring awareness to invasive species and the potential to have even more,” Lieurance said.
She suggests conducting a study like this one every five years.
“Big picture globally, we’re losing about $419 billion per year to invasive species,” Lieurance, who is currently working on projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said. “Repeating this process on a regular basis can keep us ahead of the game when it comes to managing invasive species.”
Want to take dinner and drinks to new heights? While Collier County may not have as many rooftop venues as larger Florida cities, the handful of elevated restaurants and bars the county features are stunning and worth visiting.
From downtown Naples views and a waterfront mangrove oasis to beautiful Gulf sunsets on Marco Island, these rooftop destinations have mastered the art of pairing scenery with food and cocktails.
Here’s three rooftop restaurants and bars in Collier County to check out this summer.
Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop Bar
Tigress is located on the seventh floor of The Perry Hotel Naples and has quickly become one of the most talked-about dining destinations since its debut a couple years ago. From its rooftop terrace, guests can take in panoramic views of the Cocohatchee River and its surrounding mangrove estuaries.
The open air rooftop bar features a huge island bar in the center of the space, inviting guests to grab a drink before dinner. There’s a few tables to dine at as well, but many guests opt to enjoy their meals inside the darker interior dining room. The interior room features a large window so the rooftop views aren’t lost.
The menu is full of delicious and modern takes on traditional Cantonese dishes, like dry-aged crown of duck with Hong Kong French toast and Mongolian barbecue pork ribs.
(12155 Tamiami Trail N., Naples; 239-423-3199; www.perryhotelnaples.com/naples-fl-hotel-dining)
Limon Rooftop Bar
Located on top of the AC Hotel Naples Fifth Avenue, Limon Rooftop Bar is one of Naples’ few elevated dining and drinking experiences. The open-air rooftop provides views of colorful sunsets and the bustling Fifth Avenue South. The views are more urban than waterfront, but Limon provides a unique dining experience regardless.
The combination of handcrafted cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, and city views has made Limon a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. Its downtown location gives guests a great venue to enjoy a meal at before a night on the town.
(455 12th Street S., Naples; 239-944-3755; limonrooftop.com)
Tesoro JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
Looking for unobstructed Gulf views? Make a reservation at Tesoro, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort’s adults-only restaurant. Tesoro overlooks the Gulf and Marco Island’s white sand shoreline, giving guests beautiful waterfront views to enjoy during dinner. The rooftop terrace provides front-row seats to Southwest Florida’s most beautiful nightly display: a stunning sunset.
Enjoy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a unique Italian flair along with a lively weekend atmosphere with a resident DJ. Expect fresh Gulf seafood, shareable plates, and handcrafted cocktails against a beautiful beach view.
(400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-393-3208; tesoroatjwmarco.com)
Kendall Little is the food & dining reporter for Naples Daily News. Questions, comments, or tips? Email Kendall.Little@NaplesNews.com.
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The Florida supreme court on Wednesday allowed new US House districts drawn by Republicans to be used in the midterm elections, marking another victory for the GOP in a nationwide redistricting effort aimed at helping the party retain its slim House majority.
Attorneys for voters who sued had argued that the new congressional districts violate a state constitutional prohibition on partisan gerrymandering, and that the court should order the state to continue using the same districts as in the previous election. The supreme court, in a 6-1 decision, denied their request for a temporary injunction without ruling on the merits of the case. The judges said they lacked jurisdiction to intervene while the lawsuit gradually plays out in the lower courts.
Republicans already hold 20 of Florida’s 28 US House seats. The new voting districts signed into law by the Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, after a swift two-day special legislative session could improve the GOP’s chances of winning four additional seats this year.
The court’s decision provides some certainty for prospective congressional candidates, who face a Friday deadline to qualify for the state’s 18 August primaries.
James Uthmeier, the Republican attorney general, who defended the new districts in court, declared “complete and total victory” in a social media post.
Opponents expressed outrage while vowing to continue the court fight, even though it may stretch into the 2028 election cycle.
“The Florida supreme court’s failure to stop this brazen partisan power grab is not only an assault on democracy, but an abdication of its duty to the people of Florida,” said Genesis Robinson, executive director of Equal Ground, a community organizing group that sued.
The new districts are “a pretty clear partisan gerrymander”, said Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida. “We’re going to do everything we can to prevent this map from impacting further, future elections.”
Voting districts typically are redrawn after a census near the beginning of each decade. Florida is one of several Republican-led states that have undertaken mid-decade redistricting as part of Donald Trump’s plan to try to hold on to a slim House majority in November by reshaping district boundaries to the GOP’s advantage.
Florida’s legislature approved the new House map on 29 April – the same day the US supreme court weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities while striking down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana. Since then, several southern states have taken steps to try to eliminate minority districts that have elected Democrats.
DeSantis had called lawmakers into a special session before the high court’s ruling, but he had anticipated the eventual outcome. DeSantis’s office asserted that no racial data was used for the map he presented to the legislature. The new map, among other things, redraws a south-eastern Florida district that DeSantis’s office said was created to help elect a Black representative in an attempt to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.
In addition to barring partisan gerrymandering, a constitutional amendment approved by Florida voters in 2010 also prohibits districts from being drawn to deny or diminish the ability of racial or language minorities to elect the representatives of their choice. It further requires districts to be compact and, where feasible, use existing political and geographic boundaries.
A 5-year-old girl died after being shot in a home in Florida City early July 10, multiple local news reported. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Officers with the Florida City Police Department responded to a home in the 1400 block of Northwest 1st Court at around 1:55 a.m., Angel Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, told CBS News. They found the young girl had a gunshot wound to her torso.
Under what circumstances was the girl fatally injured in Florida City?
Several people were inside the building at the time of the shooting, according to Local 10.
“We know that at the time of the shooting, there were three adults and two children, the victim who’s 5 years old, and her 4-year-old brother,” Rodriguez told Local 10. “Detectives are going to be here for quite some time, taking part of this investigation. They’re going to make sure that no stone is left unturned, and right now we’re just asking for prayers for the community.”
A police officer with Florida City transported the child and her mother to Homestead Hospital, from where she was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, CBS News reported. She died despite efforts to save her life.
The Homicide Bureau of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is now leading the investigation.
Where is Florida City?
Florida City is located in southern Miami-Dade County, east of Everglades National Park and south of Homestead.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
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