The State of Florida is beautiful, with natural ecosystems spanning from north to south. There are more than eighty ecosystems that are home to different animal and plant species.

If protected right, these ecosystems make the state rich and place tourists will want to visit. Some of the plants and animals are endangered. While the government is doing its part to protect the ecosystems, everyone has to do theirs to ensure that the ecosystems remain intact. Below are some of the ecosystems:

Coasts and Oceans

Florida boasts 1,800 miles of coastline. This only comes second to Alaska. The Oceans are home to so many animal and plant species, making Florida better as a tourist destination. Besides the coasts and oceans, Florida has about 11,000 miles of waterways that crisscross the state. Wherever you are in Florida, you are never far from a waterway or a coastline.

Forests and Uplands

Florida is a land of forests. The forest cover in the state extends to 25,000 square miles taking close to half of the state’s land. These forests are home to diverse plant and animal life that make Florida a tourist hub for residents and visitors. Even better, the forests also enhance the environmental health of the state.

Every year, the state harvest more than 650million cubic feet of wood from managed forests. With so much forest cover, there are so many recreational areas in the state. There are also so many environmental services such as clean water, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.

Areas That Need to Be Protected

• Econlockhatchee and St. Johns Rivers – The St. Johns River has always brought business to the state of Florida. Econ, one of the tributaries of the St. Johns River, has been named Outstanding Florida Water thanks to its values.
• The Indian River Lagoon – The connected waters serve as a playground where residents meet over the weekend for games. This supports the local economy, enhances water-related businesses, and boosts recreational fishing. There are more than 4,300 species of animals and plants.
• The Greater Kissimmee Prairie – The prairie stretches across central Florida and has some of the most valuable resources that the state has including the Kissimmee River and Butler Chain of Lakes. Today, the northern part of the prairie is facing so much pressure to develop.
• The Volusia Conservation Corridor – The Corridor seeks to preserve green spaces. This is where you can see the old Florida. It is an important area for wildlife corridors, agriculture, and water recharge. It is also a link to other natural resources such as the Ocala National Forest and St. Johns.
• The Green Swamp – This swamp occupies more than half a million acres of land between Tampa and Orlando. It is home to delicate systems of marshes, cypress swamps, pine Flatwoods, and hardwood forests. It is home to more than 30 endangered species.

There are so many other areas that need protection. The same way a welder wears auto-darkening helmet choices to protect their face is the way nature needs protection from damage. Florida has so much beauty that everyone needs to protect.

Today, Floridians work with the government to make the state ecosystems serene. This involves reducing pollution, conservation easements, and landscaping for wildlife.

Conclusion

The ecosystems in Florida help keep the people of the state healthy. The weather, the beach, and the ecosystems make contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people of Florida. To maintain the beautiful weather, forests play a significant role. This is why it is important to protect the natural ecosystems to ensure that the future generations have something to enjoy and tourists have spaces to visit.