Population Expansion Puts the Squeeze on Wildlife

By Marilyn Young, Horticulture Program Assistant, UF/IFAS Extension Clay County

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Did you know the State of Florida experienced the second highest population growth in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023?2  Emigration into the state has contributed to Florida becoming the third most populated state in the nation.2 The impact has caused a domino effect of land development by converting approximately 120 acres of agricultural and forested land to urbanized uses every day.3  Predictions for Florida’s habitat loss by 2060 are urban conversion of 3 million acres of agricultural land and 2.7 million acres of natural habitat to accommodate an anticipated 18 million new residents.4 Competition for natural resources is increasing exponentially for all living in the state. – especially wildlife.

How do we offset the loss of habitat to wildlife while accommodating development demands? Although there is not one silver bullet approach there are strategies that can ease the squeeze on wildlife. State and federal programs are underway to conserve land whenever possible through long range land use planning activities in large land areas but individual homeowners can also contribute. Welcome spaces in backyards or other privately owned land can create beneficial wildlife habitat and encourage species sustainability.

Creating wildlife friendly spaces does not need to be complex.  One easy approach to get started is to reduce or eliminate broad spectrum pesticide usage to encourage beneficial insects and other wildlife to your landscape to control insect pests. Many wasps, bees, and flies provide a beneficial service of preying upon undesirable insects.  The only drawback is that beneficial insect control takes a little more patience and a lot more tolerance. Less than 1% of all insects are actually harmful so although some insect damage may still occur it is unlikely to cause detrimental harm.5 Neighborhood birds, frogs, lizards and other small wildlife species will thank you for your wildlife friendly choices.

More information about specific plants to manage pests can  be found at https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/orangeco/2020/06/04/using-insectary-plants-to-attract-pest-predators/#:~:text=Herbs%20%E2%80%93%20Dill%2C%20parsley%2C%20fennel,is%20usually%20covered%20in%20bees.

References

1Hostetler, M.E., Klowden, G., Miller, S.W. & Youngentob, K.N. (2021, August). Landscaping backyards for wildlife: Top ten tips for success.

UF/IFAS Extension Critical Issue: 1. Agricultural and Horticultural Enterprises. https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw175-2003

2Wilder, K. and Mackun, P. (2024, March 14). Sunshine State Home to Metro Areas Among Top 10 U.S. Population Gainers From 2022 to 2023.  U.S. Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2024/03/florida-and-fast-growing-metros.html#:~:text=Lucie%2C%20the%20fourth%20and%20fifth,(Tables%203%20and%204)

3Florida’s Agricultural Lands: The Foundation for our Future. (2024, February, 8). https://floridaconserve.org/2024/02/08/agriculture-the-foundation-of-floridas-future/

4Wildlife 2060 – Habitat Loss. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (n.d.) https://myfwc.com/conservation/special-initiatives/wildlife-2060/loss/#:~:text=Habitat%20loss:%20wildlife%20needs%20wild,of%20the%20island%20of%20Manhattan.

5Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM). U.S.Department of Agriculture. (n.d.) https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/initiatives-and-highlighted-programs/peoples-garden/gardening-advice/practice-integrated-pest-management-ipm#:~:text=Helpful%20Tip,valuable%20products%20such%20as%20honey.