Overview of the South Florida Ecosystem

The South Florida you see today is drastically different from the South Florida of the past. Water once flowed from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee and southward over low-lying lands to Biscayne Bay and Florida Bay.

To make the area habitable for the continual increase in population, this shallow, slow-moving sheet of water has been diverted over time and our unique ecosystem has been modified. Former wetlands are now agricultural lands and large parts of the historical Everglades are now suburbs. The expansion of new homes and businesses into uninhabited natural areas, known as urban sprawl, is one of the most serious environmental concerns affecting South Florida.

How Urban Sprawl Affects our Air, Land and Water

Urban sprawl affects our natural areas and our resources, and it is an environmental concern. The more people who live in the area, the more cars on our streets, which means more air pollution. The biggest air pollutant of concern is smog, or ground level ozone, which is formed primarily when compounds from vehicle emissions react with sunlight and heat.

Unfortunately, urban sprawl also affects our landscape. Often, trees are cleared to make way for new buildings, parking lots and the paving of streets. When we lose trees, we lose shade, which intensifies the heat in our urban areas. In addition, when trees are cleared for paving, the result is a loss of pervious area, which reduces their role in absorbing stormwater. This increases the risk of flooding.

In addition, as the demand for development, especially along the coast continues to increase, so does the elimination of our essential freshwater wetlands, which help regulate the distribution of water, absorbing it when it’s abundant and releasing it gradually. This recharges the Biscayne Aquifer, our primary source of drinking water, and prevents excessive flooding. 

A unique component of the coastal wetlands is the presence of mangroves, which play a significant role in filtering out pollutants. They also stabilize the shorelines preventing erosion, provide a food source for marine life, and act as a nursery ground for a great number of marine species.

The Role Residents Play

There are many things we can all do to preserve our air, water, and lands. The best part is that many things you do to protect the environment also help save you money on electricity, water, and fuel consumption. So how can you lend a hand?

Tip #1 - Conserve Water

We use 180 gallons of waters per day in Miami-Dade County! That’s 80 gallons more than the national average.  Remember that saving water begins with you.

• Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or properly set the water level for the size of the load you are using.
• Don't let water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Repair leaks as soon as they are discovered. A seemingly small leak can waste 70-100 gallons of water per day.
• A best way to save water is by taking shorter showers and replacing your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version.
• Don't over water your lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every 5 to 7 days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter.
• Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.
• Don't water your street, driveway or sidewalk. Position your sprinklers so that your water lands on the lawn and shrubs ... not the paved areas.
• Apply mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulching also helps to control weeds that compete with plants for water.

Tip #2 - Conserve Energy

The convenience of electricity has made it an essential part of our modern lifestyle. However, electricity is generated by utilities that still depend primarily on burning fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. These utilities must then work hard to control the amount harmful pollutants released into our air. By making your home more energy efficient, you will save money and also help reduce these air pollutants because less electricity has to be generated. Here are some things you can do to save energy in your household:

• Clean or replace your air conditioner’s filter regularly to help it run more effectively. Cleaning a dirty air conditioner filter can save 5 percent of the energy used.
• Plant native shade trees on the east, west and south sides of your house.  Mature shade trees can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 30%.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.  Something that simple can save electricity and make the bulbs last longer.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents which can last up to 10 times as long as old-fashioned bulbs, and produce less heat while using only a quarter of the electricity.
• Select the most energy-efficient models when you replace your old appliances. Look for the Energy Star Label - your assurance that the product saves energy and prevents pollution.

Tip #3 – Increase our Tree Canopy

You can help our environment by simply planting the right tree on the right place. Although palms are very popular in South Florida, they are not shade trees. To help increase the tree canopy that we are losing to development and other causes, try instead to plant more actual shade trees such as Live Oak and Gumbo Limbo. They won’t only help keep you cool but they’ll actually save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bill. An added bonus, trees increase your property value.

Tip #4 – Don’t Litter

Litter is an unsightly nuisance that requires your help to combat. Here are tips on how to trash the litter in your community:

• Securely cover trash and garbage containers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter.
• Carry a litterbag in your vehicle and on your boat so it doesn’t end up in our streets or waterways.
• Keep your yard clean and free of debris that can blow into the street and become litter.
• Do not dispose of hazardous materials such as oil, paints and solvents in the water or in the ground.  Take them instead to your local chemical collection center.

Tip #5 – Reduce, reuse and recycle

Producing less waste is as easy as practicing the 3 Rs: Reduce, reuse and recycle.

• Start off by reducing, which simply means to minimize the amount of waste generated in the first place.
• Avoid buying disposable items such as single use Styrofoam or paper cups and over packaged items.
• Next step is to reuse. Try using rechargeable instead of one-time use batteries or pack your lunch in a reusable container instead of a paper bag and plastic wrap.
• Recycle plastic, glass and aluminum products and newspapers. Even plastic bags at your local supermarket. By recycling we reduce the use of virgin resources, we use less toxic chemicals and we create less pollution.

So there you have it! – 5 easy tips that we can all do to help protect our natural resources. Remember that when it comes to our environment, no effort is too small and most require very little effort at all. Every resident plays a part in making our community and in turn our world a better place to live.

View a Video Clip of a Down to Earth Episode of "Enviro 101."

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