Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Right to Biodiversity... Pine Rockland

Most people think of Miami as sandy beaches and palm trees.
But the most natural terrain of South Florida is the lesser beauty, the pine rockland.
Characteristic to this geographical area where the tropics meets the temperate zone,
a major element is its very specific kind of soil layer on the Earth's surface.
This habitat is now reduced to 2% of its original, much of it in the Miami area.
It is stripped down to pockets and corridors found on
both land where people live and more rural areas where they don't live.

Pine Rockland

A coalition of several organizations work hard to document the condition of the pine rockland, in an effort and battle to save, protect, and restore it, including
the Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC).
Field biologists gather data which makes a historical documentation of the species living in the pine rockland, about 200 taxa, or named species.
This information guides efforts of conservation and restoration.

Some people live within a pine rockland yard.
About 10 years ago, the IRC went around to educate owners who lived on this type of land, even in less than an acre plot, to convince them to preserve it
rather than knocking it down to make lawns.
Now, a city ordinance makes it illegal to destroy it, but with a lot of money,
a person can still get permission to cut it down and develop the land.
Development and human population growth are the biggest enemy
to the natural pine rockland species.
Their second biggest enemy are "invasive" species.

If you live in this area, an IRC web page offers a zip code entry that gives you 
a list of native plant species they encourage you to plant.
Support the Right to Biodiversity!

Update: Commenter AC suggests that "when properties are being sold on endangered land,
they should be informing buyers about the land before they buy."
Sounds like a great idea for a new environmental protection law.


52 comments:

Anonymous said...

Reconcile economic exploitation with environmental sustainability is one of the great challenges of our times, with inevitable repercussion in this time and generations to come.

N.

Gus said...

Unfortunately the society we live in nowadays always tends to realize things like these too late. We should definitely get the word out more and help preserve these beautiful landscapes, and if we don't you can bet our grand-children will wish we did.

GV

Anonymous said...

http://www.fws.gov/southeast/vbpdfs/commun/pr.pdf
-NAT

Anonymous said...

The government only cares about making space until it is brought to their attention that nature is just as important. Once more people begin to speak up about the issues of destroying nature for the benefits of having more land, it will be brought to light and more places like this will be preserved. Until then however, such reckless acts of wiping out natural areas will continue.
- Dav. P

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, some people can not really see the damage they do. And personally I think it is the sellers fault. And I suggest when properties are being sold on endangered land, they should be informing buyers about the land before they buy. -AC

Anonymous said...

So many people don’t take the time to even appreciate nature, which is sad. Instead we should fight for and as well save land because usually it is destroyed. People should really take the time and observe our area, see how beautiful Miami really is despite the beaches and palm trees. “ It is that range of biodiversity that we must care for - the whole thing - rather than just one or two stars.” - David Attenborough
-AE

Anonymous said...

As the superior species with the capability to think and reason, we should limit our negative environmental impact. Natural resources have limitations, and thusly deserve our conscious care.

VMC

Anonymous said...

All ecosystems in general should be of global concern. Pine rockland loss in particular touches on us that reside in south Florida; the concern is not only for the ecosystem values but for the abundance of endangered plant and animal species that the community supports. Probably development is first among the causes for this decline, and its effects should be addressed through the imposition of stringent urban growth control mechanisms.
IDO

Anonymous said...

The problem begins with not being informed, how much of the everglades are located in Miami, but yet the city is still famous for beaches, and palm trees. There aren’t enough people or groups dedicated to the protection, restoration, and long term management of biodiversity. A city ordinance makes it illegal to destroy, but with the right amount of money permission is granted. So we pay with paper that comes from trees, to turn around and destroy the environment in which trees live…contradicting much? JAP

Anonymous said...

At the rate we are destroying these beautiful and diverse environments, the only way the next generations will be able to recognize a pine tree is from a picture. ~LLSE

Anonymous said...

The problem due to the destruction of pineland started in 1920, with the expansion of the city. There is a solution for this problem, the creation of parks with strict regulations to follow. In South Florida, the places that are best conserved are the Everglades National Park (the islands) and the reservation for the Miccosukee Indians.
RC

Anonymous said...

I believe that we all have to come together, and fight for biodiversity rights. We need to spread the word around, talk about this in schools, starting from elementary schools, and involving the press in order to attract more attention. The city ordinance is great, but we need bring to a global level so that is widely known and the whole word can join on this great cause which benefits us all.

AJR

Anonymous said...

Biodiversity is not appreciated in the world in which we live today. It is truly a shame. Little by little, aware or unaware, we are getting rid of the beautiful fauna and flora our earth still has. This is happening with the pine rockland, as mentioned above. The fact that home owners get rid of these plant species to make room for their lawn is truly unbelievable. At least there are still organizations around like the IRC, providing protection and attempting to preserve the pine rock land.

AYS

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with informing people about the land the house they are planning to buy is built on. I personally think it would make an impact on the choice of buying a house or not. People need to be informed about what they are doing to harm the environment. Now days people are to caught up on material things that they don't realize the harm they're causing to not only to other species but the environment as a whole.-KV

Anonymous said...

I also agree land owners should be aware of the surrounding endangered species in their backyard.
Over all conservation of our endangered wildlife and flora should be a major priority for the human race. We tend to grow and grow, without realizing where causing animals and plants to go extinct for our convenience. The human race is not the only species this world has and its time we learn how to properly share it with our existing environment and wildlife to preserve the little we have left.
~GEA

Anonymous said...

It really hurts seeing nature take such a toll of damage for the convenience of man. Hopefully people will have a different point of view soon and actually realize that nature is just as important as land. This issue shouldn't be taken so lightly and the government should have some type of preventions to stop destroying what's left of nature. J.J

Anonymous said...

From personal experience i can honestly say the best option would be just for all residents to be removed from that area. ADYS

Anonymous said...

I have just had a personal experience in the Pine Rockland. Neighbors of this area may be in legal peril due to illegal dumping in this area. What I once would think of an overgrown wasteland, is filled with endangered plant species, which will make me think twice about what is actually beautiful and not wasteful.

mercy

Anonymous said...

Preserving biodiversity is everybody's responsibility. Government agencies, corporations, and individuals should be capable of protecting the environment without compromising human progress and development. That being said, they should act cautiously when it comes to construction, deforestation, and other projects that are harmful to the environment. ATM

Anonymous said...

The Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) makes it a point to educate the people who live in Miami to save the indigenous plants native to Miami. Most of the people who live here only pay attention to the beaches and palms, but Miami is much more. The land is considered to be a Pine Rockland. Unfortunately, before the IRC was established many people went and got rid of the plants to make flat lawns for their houses. The IRC educates the people who live in these regions so that they will want to preserve the land rather then get rid of it. = Ish

Anonymous said...

I clearly agree that our species is destroying Biodiversity. We are obligated to make extreme changes before it is too late. However, MDC kendall campus is doing something extraordinary about it. Take a look at this link. http://www.mdc.edu/kendall/esl/intensiveesl/pinerestoration/index.htm

SAMROG

Anonymous said...

Money, always getting its way. What is the point of making it illegal when someone can still buy land if they wanted to? That just defeats the purpose of trying to preserve it. - GR

Anonymous said...

I’m quite grateful that you posted a link to the Institute for Regional Conservation. As well as giving a little history on how the IRC educated the owners of the area to preserve the wildlife. This way, people in an environment unique to Florida don’t need to destroy native plants to have a nice looking lawn, and can take advantage of the area’s local plant life.

-LL

Anonymous said...

It is our responsibility and task to look after our biodiversity. It is also very important to show our kids and general population that biodiversity provides fundamental building blocks for the many goods and services a healthy environment requires. The IRC and all the other institutes should get together with our public schools and engage our children in projects to protect nature. I think this is a good way to maintain and conserve what ever is left for the future generations.
Anay R

Anonymous said...

Getting the word out may help a lot; but, I believe some people just don’t care even though most of the native Floridians are unaware of this habitat everyone is too involved in their everyday life. I know if people would contribute to the remarkable work this field biologist are doing in any way, we can save our ecosystem.
JDF

Anonymous said...

This article makes me think about our pine rockland, located in Calle Ocho/Krome Avenue and The Miccosukees.
This particular set of pines are hard to get rid of, in fact, the U.S government has tried to fire them out, but they continue to grow... It is a beautiful thing when you think about it, as it is a cause of laughter, seeing that throughout all this years 'they' have tried so hard burning them out, and witnessing the pines only growing in a shower of beautiful pine rockland..... FP

Anonymous said...

It is sad that someone can just come and pay their way through destroying nature. We the people have been Earth worsts enemy since the beginning of time. So yes we need to support this because investors are ready to pay.

JA

Michel Souza said...

After reading this entry, I have become more aware on the increasing issue regarding the Pine Rockland. Unfortunately there are so many people living in South Florida who is not aware of the damage their causing. As mentioned in the blogpost, “development and human population growth are the biggest enemy to the natural Pine Rockland species”. It is imperative for the locals to become more informed and do something to help preserve the natural Pine Rocklands. It is truly a shame that people can purchase these areas and continue to destroy our natural ecosystem. All in all, if local neighborhoods surrounding some of these Pine Rocklands begin to spread the word I firmly believe that there’ll be a chance of preserving them ....

Michel Souza.

Anonymous said...

I think that people are not well educated about the types of species and the importance of having nature around. People just care about ways to make more money by cutting down trees and building more homes, etc. It's ridiculous because there are so many creatures that depend on these trees and environmet, that now, are becoming extinct. There should be more awareness!
-VC-

Anonymous said...

Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems, so everyone has to get conscience of protect tropical regions and support fewer species.
JC

Anonymous said...

It’s a real shame that the government doesn’t care about anything but their well being. People now are completely oblivious in the things they are doing. So many people have cut down the pine rock lands and didn’t even know how special they were. It’s even worse that just by having money you can get away with anything you want. As long as something as corrupted as money continues to run how things work in society, society will far more and more into a bad place.

JB

Anonymous said...

Awareness of our ecology apparently, has no future.Life is measured as we know and are greed will be are untimely demise.
RV

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said.....
People are we sure we want to keep destroying natures beauty,Think about it how much of what we need to live comes from landscapes??

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said.....

People!! are we sure we want to keep destroying natures beauty,Think about it how much of what we need to live comes from landscapes??

L.S

Anonymous said...

Maybe if people would post signs on the landscapes of the pine rockland explaining how important they are, people will protect them a bit more. If people are aware of the pine rockland they will simply not care for them. (D.R)

Anonymous said...

It is contradictory that a city ordinance makes it illegal to destroy, but a person with the right amount of money can get a permission to cut it down. Personal economic interests are always against the nature’s preservation. In my opinion, Pine Rockland should be protected as well as the Everglades are. M.J.

Anonymous said...

THREE POINTS:

1) NO person, no matter who they are, should be allowed to destroy what God has blessed us with, NO MATTER the amount of money presented. If people want to pay anything to destroy nature, they should pay a fine!

2) Commenter AC made a brilliant point! Sellers SHOULD be required to inform/educate buyers on their land. It becomes a form of preservation.

3) Maybe this opens up a job opportunity. Perhaps there could be an agency or department of the county who perform random check ups on the conservation on these Pine Rocklands, where ever they may be, and have the potential to fine property owners for the neglect or destruction of the land. Kind of like a CPS, but for nature!

-C. June

Anonymous said...

Conservation of our ecosystems and species would better by raising awareness in our communities. Schools can serve as a way to increase this awareness by including a more deep understanding of regional biodiversity in the school curriculum. Engraining “eco-friendly” habits to students like some colleges have been trying, and they have been effective, will help create more environmentally friendly adults.
MS

Anonymous said...

As people that live in Florida I believe that it is our right to continue to protect these Pine Rockland areas. Myseld I did not know anything about them, so we should also increase awareness towards this issue.

Anonymous said...

In the era we are living today, people buy and sell land for development without thinking about the consequences. The world has materialized to a size that nothing else matters, but money and power. In other words greed is bringing our Rockland to extinction.

Sdeya

Anonymous said...

To better protect endangered land like the pine rockland, I believe the EPA should implement stricter regulations on urban development and/or private ownership of these lands.

-AMH19

Anonymous said...

Humans are ok, but it's humanity that creates a mess.
NDC

Anonymous said...

The reality we live in is pretty sad. Unfortunately, population growth and urbanization is inversely proportional with environmental sustainability and when we build buildings and roads we are actually taking away some of the best things our planet offers, nature.

GV

Anonymous said...

We the humans use hundreds of practices to make a healthier environment, but most of the times we destroy in the way of build, deforestation, fragmentation, fertilization, prolonging natural disorders, and many more contribute to the loss of ecosystem diversity. “Many people do not care about environment”.
JC

Anonymous said...

the government and people who are doing cruel things to our nature should watch captain planet, and maybe they will appreciate nature. -MC

Anonymous said...

Florida residents, not only Miami residents must realize the natural resources richness of our peninsula. Everglades species are endangered because of all the construction and other human activities; Pine Rockland is suffering the same fate. Instead of expanding the construction area, Architects and Civil Engineers should construct higher buildings in Miami. Probably in that way we may preserve more natural habitat.
HA

Anonymous said...

The population is growing rapidly. Unfortunately the earth and its resources are not being taken care of. We as people must take care of our land so as to ensure proper sustainability of the resources, to avoid depletion.
SN.

Anonymous said...

As I was reading on other comments, I believe we should stop blaming the government. The government shouldn't be only ones for caring for our earth. It is all our responsibility as humans.

Anonymous said...

^^^^^^Above is kmatos

Anonymous said...

What I find most disturbing is that I had never even heard of the pine rockland before coming to this class. In fact, I know almost nothing about South Florida's ecology or history. If we really want to preserve the pine rockland, then there should be a concerted effort for awareness by grassroots organizations. This will eventually lead to stricter legislation and help preserve our state’s natural landscape.

Jo L Lo

Anonymous said...

I’m quite grateful that you posted a link to the Institute for Regional Conservation. As well as giving a little history on how the IRC educated the owners of the area to preserve the wildlife. This way, people in that sort of environment can use it to their advantage in having an unique lawn, than a cookie cutter one. -LL

Anonymous said...

Society only cares about constructing space. When we all notice that it’s more important to have nature, then we realize our mistakes. People starts to verbalize the issues of destroying nature for the settlement of accumulating more land, it will be made none to places like this, and will be preserved. Nevertheless, such careless acts of wiping out natural areas will continue because of our nature. Human nature!

EO.