invasive species /tags/invasive-species invasive species en-US SAąúĽĘ´«Ä± Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT How young coquĂ­ frogs balance the competing demands of growth and fighting disease /environment/2026-07-02/how-young-coqui-frogs-balance-the-competing-demands-of-growth-and-fighting-disease The common coquĂ­ frog is a small but iconic species in Puerto Rico. Their melodic “co-quí” call is a lullaby for people on the island. But it’s far less welcome in places like Florida and Hawaii, where the species is invasive. In those states, these little frogs can seem impossible to get rid of. But in fact, a deadly fungal pathogen has been contributing to declines in more than 500 amphibian species worldwide, including the common coquĂ­. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT /environment/2026-07-02/how-young-coqui-frogs-balance-the-competing-demands-of-growth-and-fighting-disease Zuania ColĂłn-Piñeiro, Ana V. Longo, Miguel A. Acevedo, Nich W. Martin | The Conversation An invasive species once saved this bird. Now its disappearance is pushing it toward decline /environment/2026-02-17/snail-kite-everglades-invasive-apple-snail The Everglades seldom benefit from invasive species. Burmese pythons have unraveled food webs for decades. Green iguanas damage landscapes and infrastructure. But now, as non-native species of apple snails disappear, the endangered Everglades bird, the snail kite, is paying the price. Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:30:00 GMT /environment/2026-02-17/snail-kite-everglades-invasive-apple-snail Sofia Baltodano Gardeners beware: a microscopic menace found the perfect climate in South Florida /environment/2026-01-30/gardeners-beware-a-microscopic-menace-found-the-perfect-climate-in-south-florida The invasive pests, known as short-spined thrips, may be microscopic, but they’re a menacing threat. South Florida’s warming climate offers an ideal place for them to thrive — putting local nurseries at risk. Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT /environment/2026-01-30/gardeners-beware-a-microscopic-menace-found-the-perfect-climate-in-south-florida Ashley Miznazi | Miami Herald A tiny but mighty threat is invading Florida's avocado trees /environment/2025-10-24/a-tiny-but-mighty-threat-is-invading-floridas-avocado-trees This viroid spreading around avocado trees in Florida can go undetected for years, but when symptoms appear, it can devastate the fruit. Fri, 24 Oct 2025 16:00:00 GMT /environment/2025-10-24/a-tiny-but-mighty-threat-is-invading-floridas-avocado-trees Emma Brisk | WUSF Replace-me-not: Native Florida plants struggle to take hold amid invasive species in man-made ecosystems /environment/2025-07-16/replace-me-not-native-florida-plants-struggle-to-take-hold-amid-invasive-species-in-man-made-ecosystems Growing native plants and eradicating invasive ones is a challenging part of restoration projects. Even when done well, artificial sites don’t perfectly replicate nature. Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:28:00 GMT /environment/2025-07-16/replace-me-not-native-florida-plants-struggle-to-take-hold-amid-invasive-species-in-man-made-ecosystems Rose Schnabel | WUFT News Invasive species cost the state millions. Here's what to know about them /the-florida-roundup/2025-02-10/invasive-species-florida A veterinarian and conservation expert spoke about invasive and nonnative organisms during a special live show of "The Florida Roundup" recorded at Zoo Miami. Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:13:58 GMT /the-florida-roundup/2025-02-10/invasive-species-florida Daylina Miller Hurricanes may have spread invasive species across Florida and Georgia /environment/2024-12-27/hurricane-milton-helene-invasive-species Because Florida was hit by two hurricanes weeks apart, experts say there is a lot of possible overlap when it comes to invasive plants and animals. Fri, 27 Dec 2024 14:15:30 GMT /environment/2024-12-27/hurricane-milton-helene-invasive-species Jessica Meszaros These creepy crawlies could be Florida’s next big invasive threats, scientists say /environment/2023-12-28/florida-invasive-threats The University of Florida team said the four species to watch out for next are alewife, zebra mussels, crab-eating macaques and red shrimp crayfish. Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:02:00 GMT /environment/2023-12-28/florida-invasive-threats Alex Harris | Miami Herald In Florida, an invasive snail is helping save an endangered bird /environment/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-14/in-florida-an-invasive-snail-is-helping-save-an-endangered-bird The population of an endangered bird, the Everglade snail kite, has rebounded recently. Scientists it's all thanks to an invasive snail that has provided kites with a new abundant food source. Tue, 14 Mar 2023 09:01:00 GMT /environment/npr-breaking-news/2023-03-14/in-florida-an-invasive-snail-is-helping-save-an-endangered-bird Greg Allen Python invasion has exploded out of the Everglades /environment/2023-03-13/python-invasion-has-exploded-out-of-the-everglades An ambitious new paper produced by the U.S. Geological Survey found that the python population has exploded in only 20 years from a few snakes at the southern tip of Everglades National Park to an invasion that envelops the southern third of Florida. Mon, 13 Mar 2023 14:00:00 GMT /environment/2023-03-13/python-invasion-has-exploded-out-of-the-everglades