Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

Abiotic Factors That Affect the Biome in the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys begin at the southeastern tip of Florida and fan out into the Caribbean Sea. They are a chain of small islands lined with coral reefs, some of which are a part of the state and national park systems. The ecosystem of the Keys, including its coral reefs, is very delicate. Both biotic and abiotic (chemical or physical) factors affect the ecosystem, and conservation measures are needed to protect the Keys' natural heritage.

Stormwater
- Stormwater runoff is a serious problem for the Florida Keys, resulting in an excess of pollutants in the surrounding waters. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary states that this results in the introduction of silt, nutrients, metals and oils, and sometimes pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to the delicate ecosystem. This can be damaging to the coral reefs and the fish that inhabit those pristine waters. Impervious surfaces, such as roads, bridges and most parking lots, contribute to stormwater runoff.
Canals
- The Keys are a prime takeoff point for scuba diving, fishing and water sports. Because recreationists desire a convenient place to place their boats, miles of canals have been created in the Florida Keys. However, Wendy Leonard and Karen Zahalka, project managers of GIS Manager, MACTEC Engineering and Consulting, Inc., note that poor management of these canals can adversely impact the biome of the Florida Keys. Poorly flushed or dead-end canals can add to stormwater and other runoff, affecting the quality of the water. Tides and currents cause polluted water from the canals to flow into the nearby marine waters.
Pharmaceuticals
- Unused pharmaceuticals dumped into the wastewater system can find their way into the delicate biosphere of marine waters.
  
  Unused pharmaceuticals are dumped into toilets. Drugs not absorbed by the body are excreted, and these also enter into septic systems and may find their way into waste runoff. Because many septic systems are inadequate, measurable quantities of drugs sometimes contaminate shore waters (and even drinking water at times). The issue of pharmaceutical contamination in the Florida Keys is a subject of scientific investigation.
Hurricanes
- Hurricanes can result in damage to the ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
  
  Florida has been hit with severe hurricanes through the centuries, and recent decades have been no exception. Because of the buildup of human activity in areas where the ecosystems are extremely delicate, hurricanes can strongly impact the biome of the Florida Keys. Hurricanes are blamed for the loss through burial or erosion of three out of 30 permanent stations of seagrass.

Nature