The Florida Keys
To begin, what is an Ecosystem?
It is an Environment within which many Species,
both Plant (flora) and Animal, (fauna)
maintain a way of daily life, unconsciously
interdependent upon one another and
the area that they inhabit together.
Our Ecosystems are a reflection of the past
and an implication of the future.
This exquisite chain of over a thousand Islands stretches
from the mainland just south of Homestead to Key West
for about two hundred miles and is one of the most
breathtaking scenic drives in America.
The only road to Key West
Photo credit: Marc Averette
A narrow two lane road is the only way in and out of paradise
and in the event of a Hurricane, it becomes a bit crowded~
But the views, the wildlife and the natural beauty of the Keys
keep visitors and natives coming back every year.
Along the way, you will go through many small towns
on the
islands, with a variety of places to investigate,
stay, eat and shop, as well as several state parks.
Entering the Seven Mile Bridge
Photo credit: Matrek
The Seven Mile Bridge connects the Upper Keys
to the Lower Keys and the stunning views from it
shows off the pastel blues of the clear water
and frequently, the Marine life of the Keys.
A most remarkable thing about this delicate Ecosystem,
is the dedication by so many to preserve
its beauty,
an example is the
National Marine Sanctuary.
The only
Coral Reef in North America lies just off
the Keys on the Atlantic Coast and Gulf
of Mexico and
is protected by several organizations, including NOAA.
A Green Moray Eel
Photo credit: NOAA
Within this treasure are countless marine creatures
found
in few other places, some are Endangered,
others are just being
carefully watched.
An initiative to offer protection is here:
Southeast Florida
Coral Reef Initiative
*Update March 30, 2009*
Once thought to be a problem only for the Everglades,
now abandoned Burmese Pythons are being found in the Keys.
A group dedicated to stopping them in their tracks,
the
Python Patrol is determined to get a head start
on the invasion, before it gets out of control.
A 2006 five year no fishing ban for an area just west of
the Keys to protect Florida's Fish has the sides divided:
New
Marine Reserve
Butter Hamlet Fish in Sea Rods
Photo credit: NOAA
The list of Endangered Species in the Keys
includes both Wildlife and Marine Species:
Key Deer, Manatees,
Panthers,
Miami Blue and
Schaus' Swallowtail Butterflies,
and a variety of Sea Turtles and
Tropical Birds.
Random pictures from around Key West
The Plaza Hotel Key West
Photo credit: Matrek
Another beautiful Key West Sunset
Photo credit: Soeren Rothe/madman1234
The Hemmingway House
Photo credit: Soeren Rothe/madman1234
The Key West Lighthouse
Photo credit: milan boers
The Southern Most Point in the US
Photo credit: Stefan Kokemüller
This is an abbreviated version of what is probably the most
important study ever done concerning our Ecosystems:
Endangered Ecosystems: A Status
Report
A most comprehensive web site describing
the physical characteristics of Florida:
Florida Environments Online
Geomorphology of Florida Peninsula
A printable calendar of when and
where to see Florida Wildlife:
Wildlife Viewing
Places to learn more:
Defenders of Wildlife
Endangered Ecosystems
DEP
Florida's Coral
Reef
Keys
Land Acquisition
Environmental Health News
Environmental Site about Florida's Waters
ESWR: Endangered Species and Wetlands Report
Newsletter Covering the
Endangered Species Act
Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Conducting
Investigations of Wetlands and Wildlife resources
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Post
News
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Conservation
Commission List
Florida Museum of Natural History
Endangered Species of the Keys
Florida
Keys
Florida Native Plant Society
Ecosystems of Florida
Florida Natural Areas Inventory
Ecological Data Concerning
Florida Conservation
Florida Power and Light Environmental Programs
FPL
Programs Protecting Endangered or Threatened Species
National Park Service
Coral Reefs
Florida Keys
NOAA
Coral Reef Information System
Encyclopedia of
National Marine Sanctuaries
Florida Keys Sanctuary
Florida Keys Sanctuary History
Preservation 2000
Conserving
Florida's Natural Land and Water
Sierra Club of Florida
Biodiversity
University of Florida IFAS
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
UF/IFAS Extension
Wildlife in Peril: South Florida
US Fish & Wildlife Service
The Endangered Species
Program
TESS: Directory of FWS
Endangered Species
USGS
Mapping Florida Coral Reefs
USGS - Biological Resources
Endangered
Ecosystems
Scientific Data About our
Nation's Biological Resources
USGS - SOFIA
Habitat and Species Recovery
Land Management
SOFIA: USGS Kids Page for Florida's Ecosystems
South Florida Recovery
Virtual Tour of
the Keys
Walking with the Alligators
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Keep Florida Wildlife Wild and Alive~
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Educating Visitors About Florida's Wildlife Since February 9, 2009
Last edited September 11, 2022
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