Impacts on Invasive Species

Invasive organisms are also likely to be impacted by climate change in the following ways:

• Invasive, nonnative species already in Florida may increase their range within the state.
• Just like endemic species, some invasive species will decrease their range.
• Invasive species time bombs - some nonnative species already here may become highly invasive as the climate changes.
• Introduction and establishment of new diseases and pathogens.
• Nonnative Caribbean and tropical wildlife species become invasive in Florida - especially in coastal areas and south Florida.
• Disturbance due to climate change will make previous uninvaded habitats more prone to biological invasions.
• Invasive species, because of climate change, may alter historical fire regimes throughout Florida, exposing native ecosystems not adapted to fire to more frequent and intense fire events.
• Native species in south Florida will become invasive species in north Florida.