Storms bring more than wind and rain during the Atlantic hurricane season. Unwanted pests crawl into our lives. With electricity outages, standing water and damaged structures, urban pests find ample opportunity to invade homes, businesses and schools. “The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida.” [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_47763" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47763" style="width: 492px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class=" wp-image-47763" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/Gordon_At-the-FLREC-termite-lab-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="492" height="369" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47763" class="wp-caption-text">Johnalyn Gordon at the FLREC termite lab.</figcaption></figure>
Storms bring more than wind and rain during the Atlantic hurricane season. Unwanted pests crawl into our lives. With electricity outages, standing water and damaged structures, urban pests find ample opportunity to invade homes, businesses and schools.
“The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida.” said <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=6AyZ6D4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=sra">Johnalyn Gordon</a>, a postdoctoral associate in urban entomology at the <a href="https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/">UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center</a>.
Gordon, who specializes in urban pests, is also an instructor at Pest Management University, a cooperative training program between the pest management industry, UF IFAS, and the Florida Department of Agricultural Consumer Sciences. She emphasizes that while storm damage is a primary concern, understanding how to manage pest-related issues can prevent headaches and potential infestations later.
Here are Gordon’s go-to insights on what to look out for and how to manage pests after a storm:
Rainfall can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes
Several species of mosquitoes in Florida will breed in small containers of standing water. This includes the mosquito species that are vectors for the pathogens that cause dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. They don’t need much water, so these can include spare tires, plant pots and saucers, bird baths and garbage cans.
Tip: Before the storm, survey your property for anything that might collect rain, and dump water out following rain from potential sources can interrupt mosquitoes’  life cycle and prevent them from using those containers to breed.
 
<figure id="attachment_47765" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47765" style="width: 263px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-47765 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="263" height="351" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/Gordon-holding-bed-bug-specimens-225x300.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47765" class="wp-caption-text">Johnalyn Gordon at University of Kentucky where she worked on bed bug research as a graduate research assistant.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_47783" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47783" style="width: 419px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-47783" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/Gordon_roach-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="419" height="279" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47783" class="wp-caption-text">Johnalyn Gordon demonstrates a Madagascar hissing cockroach.</figcaption></figure>
Flooding promotes pests on the move
Heavy rains create flooding, signaling insects and vertebrate pests to seek higher and drier grounds. Precipitation drives pests like cockroaches, spiders, and rodents indoors in search of a safe space. Floods also cause red imported fire ants to form floating “rafts,” which can pose a painful hazard for anyone cleaning up after the storm.
The red imported fire ant is a prominent pest ant in Florida, most recognizable for its nasty sting, but takes a unique approach to dealing with flooding. These ants, which live in colonies of tens of thousands of individuals, nest in the ground, and when flooding occurs, will form “rafts” by interlocking their bodies and floating on the surface of the water until they find higher ground. People can encounter these fire ant rafts when cleaning up flooded areas or when rafts come in contact with a structure.
Vertebrate pests like rodents and wildlife can also be displaced by flooding, which can make them more likely to enter a structure.
Tip: Ensure doors, windows and any storm-damaged areas are well sealed to block pests from entering your home or business. Be cautious when dealing with fire ant rafts in flooded areas. After the storm passes, cover any potential entry points caused by damage to prevent pests from coming inside and infesting a structure.
 
Don’t maintain moisture
Flooding can also lead to moisture problems in a structure, which can lead to pest problems later down the road, Gordon said.
In many cases, moisture and pests go hand in hand. One of the primary examples of this is subterranean termites, which will readily target and feed on water-damaged wood.
Being aware of potential moisture issues following storms and prioritizing moisture control in the structure is critical to help prevent subterranean termite infestations. If termites are discovered, the best course of action would be to reach out to a professional pest control company as soon as possible.
 
<figure id="attachment_47771" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47771" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-47771" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/Gordon_at-micoscope-analyzing-termite-specimens-260x300.jpeg" alt="" width="310" height="358" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47771" class="wp-caption-text">Johnalyn Gordon at a microscope analyzing and identifying termite specimens.</figcaption></figure>
Trash buildup can be a fly magnet
In the aftermath of a storm, accumulations of garbage due to service impacts in waste management and often large amounts of spoiled food due to power outages can attract several different fly species, including house flies, phorid flies, and fruit flies, which will readily feed on refuse and decaying material.
Tip: To prevent a buildup of flies, place organic waste such as spoiled food in a bag and secure tightly. Then, place in a trash topped with a tightly fitting lid until trash can be disposed of or picked up.
 
Prevention is the key
When it comes to dealing with pest issues following a major storm or hurricane, prevention as well as quick action following the storm can go a long way to preventing or reducing associated pest problems.
“It’s important that great care is taken if pesticides are applied and that all label directions are followed, particularly as they relate to applications near water or to rain-soaked areas,” said Gordon.
###
&nbsp;
<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2024/09/25/experta-de-uf-ifas-ofrece-consejos-para-el-control-de-plagas-durante-la-temporada-de-huracanes/">Para accesar a este contenido en español, por favor utilice este enlace.</a>
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>

Johnalyn Gordon at the FLREC termite lab.
Storms bring more than wind and rain during the Atlantic hurricane season. Unwanted pests crawl into our lives. With electricity outages, standing water and damaged structures, urban pests find ample opportunity to invade homes, businesses and schools.
“The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida.” said Johnalyn Gordon, a postdoctoral associate in urban entomology at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.
Gordon, who specializes in urban pests, is also an instructor at Pest Management University, a cooperative training program between the pest management industry, UF IFAS, and the Florida Department of Agricultural Consumer Sciences. She emphasizes that while storm damage is a primary concern, understanding how to manage pest-related issues can prevent headaches and potential infestations later.
Here are Gordon’s go-to insights on what to look out for and how to manage pests after a storm:
Rainfall can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes
Several species of mosquitoes in Florida will breed in small containers of standing water. This includes the mosquito species that are vectors for the pathogens that cause dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. They don’t need much water, so these can include spare tires, plant pots and saucers, bird baths and garbage cans.
Tip: Before the storm, survey your property for anything that might collect rain, and dump water out following rain from potential sources can interrupt mosquitoes’  life cycle and prevent them from using those containers to breed.
 
Johnalyn Gordon at University of Kentucky where she worked on bed bug research as a graduate research assistant.
Johnalyn Gordon demonstrates a Madagascar hissing cockroach.
Flooding promotes pests on the move
Heavy rains create flooding, signaling insects and vertebrate pests to seek higher and drier grounds. Precipitation drives pests like cockroaches, spiders, and rodents indoors in search of a safe space. Floods also cause red imported fire ants to form floating “rafts,” which can pose a painful hazard for anyone cleaning up after the storm.
The red imported fire ant is a prominent pest ant in Florida, most recognizable for its nasty sting, but takes a unique approach to dealing with flooding. These ants, which live in colonies of tens of thousands of individuals, nest in the ground, and when flooding occurs, will form “rafts” by interlocking their bodies and floating on the surface of the water until they find higher ground. People can encounter these fire ant rafts when cleaning up flooded areas or when rafts come in contact with a structure.
Vertebrate pests like rodents and wildlife can also be displaced by flooding, which can make them more likely to enter a structure.
Tip: Ensure doors, windows and any storm-damaged areas are well sealed to block pests from entering your home or business. Be cautious when dealing with fire ant rafts in flooded areas. After the storm passes, cover any potential entry points caused by damage to prevent pests from coming inside and infesting a structure.
 
Don’t maintain moisture
Flooding can also lead to moisture problems in a structure, which can lead to pest problems later down the road, Gordon said.
In many cases, moisture and pests go hand in hand. One of the primary examples of this is subterranean termites, which will readily target and feed on water-damaged wood.
Being aware of potential moisture issues following storms and prioritizing moisture control in the structure is critical to help prevent subterranean termite infestations. If termites are discovered, the best course of action would be to reach out to a professional pest control company as soon as possible.
 
Johnalyn Gordon at a microscope analyzing and identifying termite specimens.
Trash buildup can be a fly magnet
In the aftermath of a storm, accumulations of garbage due to service impacts in waste management and often large amounts of spoiled food due to power outages can attract several different fly species, including house flies, phorid flies, and fruit flies, which will readily feed on refuse and decaying material.
Tip: To prevent a buildup of flies, place organic waste such as spoiled food in a bag and secure tightly. Then, place in a trash topped with a tightly fitting lid until trash can be disposed of or picked up.
 
Prevention is the key
When it comes to dealing with pest issues following a major storm or hurricane, prevention as well as quick action following the storm can go a long way to preventing or reducing associated pest problems.
“It’s important that great care is taken if pesticides are applied and that all label directions are followed, particularly as they relate to applications near water or to rain-soaked areas,” said Gordon.
###
 
Para accesar a este contenido en español, por favor utilice este enlace.
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

Storms bring more than wind and rain during the Atlantic hurricane season. Unwanted pests crawl into our lives. With electricity outages, standing water and damaged structures, urban pests find ample opportunity to invade homes, businesses and schools. “The summer months of May through November are prime time for both storm activity and pests in Florida.” […]

UF/IFAS expert shares pest control tips for hurricane season

Ever-present but undetectable to the naked eye, micro-predators are constantly working in the soil to hunt and kill the pathogens that threaten plants. But how they do this “dirty” work is not well understood. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $3.5 million to a UF/IFAS scientist and his team to [&#8230;]

Ever-present but undetectable to the naked eye, micro-predators are constantly working in the soil to hunt and kill the pathogens that threaten plants. But how they do this “dirty” work is not well understood. 
The <a href="https://www.nifa.usda.gov/">USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)</a> has awarded $3.5 million to a UF/IFAS scientist and his team to study micro-predators, a group of organisms that includes nematodes, protists, some viruses and some bacteria. The team will share their research findings to promote crop productivity and sustainable soil-health management.
<a href="https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/people/faculty-pages/samuel-martins/">Samuel Martins</a>, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant pathology, is leading eight researchers from six institutions: the University of Florida; Pennsylvania State University; the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; the University of California, Davis; William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey; and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
<figure id="attachment_47407" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-47407" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/20240906-017-martins-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-47407 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Samuel Martins" width="300" height="226" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/09/20240906-017-martins-300x226.jpg"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-47407" class="wp-caption-text">Samuel Martins</figcaption></figure>
The team will collect soil before and after harvest at 12 organic tomato farms in California, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania. After extracting DNA from samples, they will conduct computational analyses to identify the soil’s microbial and viral composition and determine associations between predators and prey.
The researchers propose to test the effects of various organic amendments like worm casings and chicken manure on micro-predators and pathogens. They want to learn whether micro-predator predation can be enhanced in the soil with amendments to better protect plants.
“Our long-term goal is to investigate the impact of different organic matter amendments on micro-predator diversity, pathogen survival and soil and plant health,” Martins said.
The researchers will eventually share their findings with growers through webinars and conferences and with university students through new curricula.
They selected the research project based on grower needs; a planning grant funded trips to grower association workshops around the country, as well as surveys they conducted to learn which functions of soil are important to growers. The results, based on the responses of 99 growers, indicate 89% consider building organic matter important, and 82% consider pathogen suppression important.
The growers “appreciated the cutting-edge data and refreshing honesty about the state of knowledge of soil microbiomes (despite decades of sequence surveys, we still cannot confidently tell a grower how to use soil microbiome data to inform management decisions),” the researchers wrote in their proposal.
Members of a panel that evaluated the team’s NIFA proposal praised Martins’ team for engaging stakeholders to develop their research project. They also confirmed statements made within the proposal indicating a lack of similar research in the United States.
“The panel was enthusiastic about this proposal and agreed that the team&#8217;s proposed research ideas are novel and will significantly add to the scientific community&#8217;s knowledge base on micro-predators in soil and their impact on disease suppression in soils,” according to a summary of the panel’s findings.
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>

Ever-present but undetectable to the naked eye, micro-predators are constantly working in the soil to hunt and kill the pathogens that threaten plants. But how they do this “dirty” work is not well understood. 
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $3.5 million to a UF/IFAS scientist and his team to study micro-predators, a group of organisms that includes nematodes, protists, some viruses and some bacteria. The team will share their research findings to promote crop productivity and sustainable soil-health management.
Samuel Martins, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant pathology, is leading eight researchers from six institutions: the University of Florida; Pennsylvania State University; the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station; the University of California, Davis; William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey; and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Samuel Martins
The team will collect soil before and after harvest at 12 organic tomato farms in California, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania. After extracting DNA from samples, they will conduct computational analyses to identify the soil’s microbial and viral composition and determine associations between predators and prey.
The researchers propose to test the effects of various organic amendments like worm casings and chicken manure on micro-predators and pathogens. They want to learn whether micro-predator predation can be enhanced in the soil with amendments to better protect plants.
“Our long-term goal is to investigate the impact of different organic matter amendments on micro-predator diversity, pathogen survival and soil and plant health,” Martins said.
The researchers will eventually share their findings with growers through webinars and conferences and with university students through new curricula.
They selected the research project based on grower needs; a planning grant funded trips to grower association workshops around the country, as well as surveys they conducted to learn which functions of soil are important to growers. The results, based on the responses of 99 growers, indicate 89% consider building organic matter important, and 82% consider pathogen suppression important.
The growers “appreciated the cutting-edge data and refreshing honesty about the state of knowledge of soil microbiomes (despite decades of sequence surveys, we still cannot confidently tell a grower how to use soil microbiome data to inform management decisions),” the researchers wrote in their proposal.
Members of a panel that evaluated the team’s NIFA proposal praised Martins’ team for engaging stakeholders to develop their research project. They also confirmed statements made within the proposal indicating a lack of similar research in the United States.
“The panel was enthusiastic about this proposal and agreed that the team’s proposed research ideas are novel and will significantly add to the scientific community’s knowledge base on micro-predators in soil and their impact on disease suppression in soils,” according to a summary of the panel’s findings.
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
ifas.ufl.edu  |  @UF_IFAS

Ever-present but undetectable to the naked eye, micro-predators are constantly working in the soil to hunt and kill the pathogens that threaten plants. But how they do this “dirty” work is not well understood. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $3.5 million to a UF/IFAS scientist and his team to […]

UF/IFAS scientist secures $3.5M grant to study soil micro-predators

The world’s oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which does not bode well for Florida’s 825 miles of coastline. Carbon dioxide can contribute to ocean acidification &#8212; a reduction in the pH of the ocean &#8212; which puts some forms of marine life such as oysters, clams, sea urchins and corals [&#8230;]

The world’s oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which does not bode well for <a href="https://floridadep.gov/rcp/beaches">Florida’s 825 miles of coastline</a>.
Carbon dioxide can contribute to ocean acidification &#8212; a reduction in the pH of the ocean &#8212; which puts some forms of marine life such as oysters, clams, sea urchins and corals in peril.
<figure id="attachment_45769" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-45769" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-45769 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="169" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/files/2024/07/Ocean-acidification_vase-sponge_courtesy-Josh-Patterson_071124-300x169.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-45769" class="wp-caption-text">Vase sponge. Courtesy, Josh Patterson, UF/IFAS.</figcaption></figure>
In a <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/ocean_acidification">series of Ask IFAS documents</a>, University of Florida experts explain how seawater chemistry changes as a result of elevated carbon dioxide levels. UF/IFAS Extension agents and scientists also outline how acidification can harm Florida’s marine life.
“Ocean acidification is an invisible, but real threat to Florida’s coastal and marine ecosystems, the impacts of which often amplify other threats such as water pollution, increased water temperatures and diseases or pathogens,” said Lisa Krimsky, water resources regional specialized Extension agent for Southeast Florida.
“However, it’s important to note that ocean acidification is not likely to impact all marine habitats and organisms in the same way,” said Krimsky, also a <a href="https://www.flseagrant.org/">Florida Sea Grant agent</a>. “Understanding these differences is necessary for successful management, protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems.”
Marine habitats such as Florida’s coral reef are valuable, ecologically and economically. The reef supports fish and shoreline protection.
It’s also essential to the ecotourism industry. According to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, coral reefs in southeast Florida have a total economic value of about $8.5 billion. The estimated commercial value of fisheries with coral reef systems is over $100 million.
Therefore, UF/IFAS experts say it’s imperative to consider the effects of ocean acidification on sponges and stony corals because the interaction between these two groups may be altered.
In the most recent <a href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA263">Ask IFAS document</a> on ocean acidification, UF/IFAS scientists and Extension agents outline the potential danger it can inflict on sponges.
Early data suggest <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/calcareous-sponge">calcareous</a> and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/siliceous-sponge">siliceous sponges</a> may be resistant or at least less susceptible to decreasing pH. But the data are incomplete, said Josh Patterson, a UF/IFAS associate professor of restoration aquaculture at the Florida Aquarium in Apollo Beach and Florida Sea Grant-affiliated faculty.
“There is not a lot of data available on how ocean acidification might affect sponges, but the information we have suggests they may be less affected than other forms of marine life with whom they compete for space and resources,” Patterson said.
But that doesn’t attenuate his concern for the potential damage ocean acidification could cause to sponges or the overall marine ecosystem.
When carbon dioxide mixes with water, it forms a weak chemical called carbonic acid. So much carbon dioxide has been emitted by human activity that it has decreased the pH of the oceans, and the trend will continue with further emissions, said Patterson, a faculty member in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.
There’s only one thing to do to lower ocean acidification, he said.
“The primary call to action is to decrease carbon dioxide emissions,” Patterson said. “We restore corals and sponges, but I don’t believe that action addresses ocean acidification.”
###
ABOUT UF/IFAS 
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 
<a href="http://www.ifas.ufl.edu">ifas.ufl.edu</a>  |  <a href="https://twitter.com/UF_IFAS">@UF_IFAS</a>
The Florida Sea Grant program, hosted at UF/IFAS, is a university-based program that supports research, education and Extension to conserve coastal resources and enhance economic opportunities for the people of Florida. In addition to UF/IFAS, the program is a partnership between Florida universities, the <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.noaa.gov%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5EEyj7SPrBzBVgb%2BtGjD3fIp2O9e900lcUy7yRhbBS4%3D&amp;reserved=0">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a>  and county governments.
<a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flseagrant.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8Ex2Og9OC2B4e02lNxgiwmx2bPgr8lCe7onsCM1hhes%3D&amp;reserved=0">flseagrant.org</a>  |  <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FFloridaSeaGrant&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ctorymoore%40ufl.edu%7C5059361f69bd4470d65908daad2d94fe%7C0d4da0f84a314d76ace60a62331e1b84%7C0%7C0%7C638012708565515659%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=3YV9%2BBUAsSAD9gjZ7kyOjd%2FBzf3MrzWv9kQFMsAYhfM%3D&amp;reserved=0">@FloridaSeaGrant</a>

The world’s oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which does not bode well for Florida’s 825 miles of coastline.
Carbon dioxide can contribute to ocean acidification — a reduction in the pH of the ocean — which puts some forms of marine life such as oysters, clams, sea urchins and corals in peril.
Vase sponge. Courtesy, Josh Patterson, UF/IFAS.
In a series of Ask IFAS documents, University of Florida experts explain how seawater chemistry changes as a result of elevated carbon dioxide levels. UF/IFAS Extension agents and scientists also outline how acidification can harm Florida’s marine life.
“Ocean acidification is an invisible, but real threat to Florida’s coastal and marine ecosystems, the impacts of which often amplify other threats such as water pollution, increased water temperatures and diseases or pathogens,” said Lisa Krimsky, water resources regional specialized Extension agent for Southeast Florida.
“However, it’s important to note that ocean acidification is not likely to impact all marine habitats and organisms in the same way,” said Krimsky, also a Florida Sea Grant agent. “Understanding these differences is necessary for successful management, protection and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems.”
Marine habitats such as Florida’s coral reef are valuable, ecologically and economically. The reef supports fish and shoreline protection.
It’s also essential to the ecotourism industry. According to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, coral reefs in southeast Florida have a total economic value of about $8.5 billion. The estimated commercial value of fisheries with coral reef systems is over $100 million.
Therefore, UF/IFAS experts say it’s imperative to consider the effects of ocean acidification on sponges and stony corals because the interaction between these two groups may be altered.
In the most recent Ask IFAS document on ocean acidification, UF/IFAS scientists and Extension agents outline the potential danger it can inflict on sponges.
Early data suggest calcareous and siliceous sponges may be resistant or at least less susceptible to decreasing pH. But the data are incomplete, said Josh Patterson, a UF/IFAS associate professor of restoration aquaculture at the Florida Aquarium in Apollo Beach and Florida Sea Grant-affiliated faculty.
“There is not a lot of data available on how ocean acidification might affect sponges, but the information we have suggests they may be less affected than other forms of marine life with whom they compete for space and resources,” Patterson said.
But that doesn’t attenuate his concern for the potential damage ocean acidification could cause to sponges or the overall marine ecosystem.
When carbon dioxide mixes with water, it forms a weak chemical called carbonic acid. So much carbon dioxide has been emitted by human activity that it has decreased the pH of the oceans, and the trend will continue with further emissions, said Patterson, a faculty member in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.
There’s only one thing to do to lower ocean acidification, he said.
“The primary call to action is to decrease carbon dioxide emissions,” Patterson said. “We restore corals and sponges, but I don’t believe that action addresses ocean acidification.”
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The world’s oceans absorb about 30% of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which does not bode well for Florida’s 825 miles of coastline. Carbon dioxide can contribute to ocean acidification — a reduction in the pH of the ocean — which puts some forms of marine life such as oysters, clams, sea urchins and corals […]

UF experts warn of potential peril caused by ocean acidification

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Invertebrate organisms that live on or in another organism (the host), and benefit at the expense of the other. Traditionally excluded from definition of parasites are pathogenic bacteria; fungi; viruses; and plants; though they may live parasitically. [NALT]
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