Unified Interior Regions
Florida
World class scientists working in Southeast Region Science Centers help our partners understand and manage complex issues including competition for limited water resources, coastal hazards, mineral and energy resource extraction, degraded ecosystems, vector-borne diseases, rapidly changing land use, and response to climate change.
States L2 Landing Page Tabs
Population Biology and Ecology of Diamondback Terrapins in Mangrove Forested Ecosystems in the Greater Everglades
Long-term capture-recapture research in the Everglades National Park provides baseline information on the Diamondback Terrapin, a species that may be threatened by human disturbances.
Benthic Habitat Characterization and Habitat Use of Endangered Sea Turtles in Marine Protected Areas of the Greater Everglades
USGS assesses how federally endangered sea turtles use the habitat in and around a no-take area in the Dry Tortugas National Park.
Evaluation of Tegu Movements and Habitat Use in Relation to Location and Habitat
Tegus are breeding, they have a diverse diet, and they are established in areas throughout South Florida. USGS is tracking this problematic reptile species to better understand their movements and habitat use to help managers prevent dispersal into new areas.
Population Monitoring of the Federally Threatened Okaloosa Darter at Eglin Air Force Base
USGS' and Loyola University New Orleans' innovative research techniques played a role in the decision to downlist the Okaloosa Darter, a freshwater fish endemic to northwest Florida, from Endangered to Threatened.
Using Environmental DNA for Burmese Python Detection Probabilities and Range-Delimitation in Southern Florida
Current tools for detection of Burmese pythons in South Florida have resulted in low detection rates. Environmental DNA - eDNA - has shown to be effective at detecting these invasive snakes, and can help to determine range limits for the species, information that is critical for management and control efforts.
Wetland Evaluation and Sediment Elevation Monitoring and Analysis in the Indian River Lagoon
To better understand coastal response to sea-level rise, USGS is monitoring coastal wetland sediment elevations along Florida's east coast.
Hurricane Sandy
Over 160 of our scientists, technicians, and specialists responded to Hurricane Sandy by deploying field equipment and capturing information both before and after the storm. Our Sandy Science Plan identifies major research themes that will guide research to continue the support of the recovery activities.
Ecology of and Control Strategies for Invasive Burmese Pythons (Python molurus bivitattus) in the Greater Everglades
Telemetry tracking of captured pythons reveals movement patterns of the invasive Burmese python in the Greater Everglades, information that managers can use to prioritize python control efforts.
Spatial Ecology of the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) in the Greater Everglades
Satellite/GPS tags help USGS researchers understand the movements of American Alligators and American Crocodiles in the Greater Everglades.
Mosquito Control Pesticide Impacts to Butterflies: Implications for Imperiled Butterfly Conservation on a National Wildlife Refuge
USGS researchers evaluate the impact of a pesticide on two imperiled butterfly species in the Florida Keys.
Methylmercury Impacts to Reproduction in the Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)
USGS researchers investigate the effects of methylmercury contamination on reproduction of the Eastern mosquitofish, a common fish in South Florida.
Adaptive Habitat Conservation for Flatwoods Salamanders
USGS scientists investigate adaptive habitat conservation for Flatwoods salamanders.
Colony brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease
A colony of knobby brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease
Close-up of the interface between bleached polyps of the great star coral, Montastraea cavernosa, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. The dead coral skeleton behind the black band has become overgrown with green algae.
Colony of Colpophyllia breviserialis affected by black-band disease
A colony of Colpophyllia breviserialis affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Star coral, Montastraea faveolata, and black-band disease
Close-up of the interface between polyps of the mountainous star coral, Montastraea faveolata, and black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys. Behind the black band is white coral skeleton remaining after the polyps have died.
Symmetrical brain coral affected by black-band disease
A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Lobed star coral affected by black-band disease
A colony of lobed star coral, Montastraea annularis, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Grooved brain coral affected by black-band disease
A colony of grooved brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease
A colony of symmetrical brain coral, Diploria strigosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease
A colony of knobby brain coral, Diploria clivosa, affected by black-band disease (BBD), Florida Keys.
Sealed parking lot with wear marks from snowplow
Once applied, sealcoat can be abraded by snowplows, as evidence here, or the abrasive action of car tires. Runoff carrying high-PAH sealcoat particles flows into storm drains, where it can be transported to streams and lakes. Runoff from coal-tar-sealcoated pavement contains extremely high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and is toxic to aquatic
...Sealcoated parking lot and storm drain
Runoff from this sealcoated lot will flow into the storm drain, where it will be transported to streams and lakes. Runoff from coal-tar-sealcoated pavement contains extremely high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and is toxic to aquatic life. Read more
...Sealcoated lot and adjacent storm drain
Runoff from this sealcoated lot will flow into the storm drain, where it will be transported to streams and lakes. Runoff from coal-tar-sealcoated pavement contains extremely high concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and is toxic to aquatic life. Read more
...Florida Site Established for Tracking Seasonal Effects of Climate Change on Native Species
For the first time, a site in Florida has been established where citizens, students and researchers can track the seasonal effects of climate change on Florida's native plants and animals.
Florida Site Established for Tracking Seasonal Effects of Climate Change on Native Species
For the first time, a site in Florida has been established where citizens, students and researchers can track the seasonal effects of climate change on Florida's native plants and animals.
Presidential Rank Award -- Top Federal Honor -- Given to USGS Deputy Director Robert Doyle (archive)
U.S. Geological Survey Deputy Director Robert Doyle has been selected as a Distinguished recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, a prestigious award that commends outstanding leadership and long-term accomplishments.
What: Reporters are invited to attend a special presentation about the impacts of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav on the Texas and Louisiana coast. Compelling before-and-after photographs of the storms will be
Recent research has revealed that beach sand contains high concentrations of E. coli and other fecal indicator bacteria, often greatly exceeding the concentration in beach water. Further, there is evidence that beach closings due to elevated fecal indicator bacteria may be linked to these sand populations.
Science that Weathers the Storm...USGS Scientists in the Field Preparing for Hurricane Ike (archive)
US Geological Survey (USGS) scientists will be installing storm-surge sensors to prepare for Hurricane Ike.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists will be installing rapidly-deployable mobile gages and storm-surge sensors to prepare for Tropical Storm Gustav.
From New Findings on Contaminant Threats in African Dust to the Future of Coral Reefs to Coral Chemical Defenses
Listen online to a Federal News Radio interview with invasive snake specialist and USGS scientist Dr. Gordon Rodda.
Newly Discovered Fossil Sponges Share Scientific Secrets About Ancient Marine Environments (archive)
The urban bedrock of a low-relief landscape beneath a crowded city seems like an unusual place for a significant fossil discovery. However, four distinct fossil sites found along the walls of canals in metropolitan Miami, Florida, indicate these locations were once a unique marine habitat.
Water levels at nearly two thirds of the 36 near real-time network sites operated by U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in southern Florida have already reached the lowest levels ever recorded for this time of the year. The USGS projects additional record-breaking lows in parts of these aquifers if water levels continue to decline at present rates.
A U.S. Geological Survey report released today projects that if current threats to Florida manatees remain at their present level, the statewide population of manatees is expected to remain stable or increase slightly over the next 10 to 15 years, and then decline as natural and industrial warm-water sources are reduced or lost.