Conservation
Because of its high elevation, the Miami Rock Ridge was the first area to be impacted by development. The clearing of large tracts for development have now reduced the pine rocklands to about 20,000 acres (81 km2), most of which are now protected inside the Everglades National Park. Wildfire suppression has resulted in many formerly pine rockland properties transitioning to hammock or becoming invaded by non-native invasive species, causing a net loss of biodiversity and the extinction or near extinction of several plant species.
Read more about this topic: South Florida Rocklands
Famous quotes containing the word conservation:
“A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle, it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests.”
—Aristide Briand (1862–1932)
“The putting into force of laws which shall secure the conservation of our resources, as far as they may be within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, including the more important work of saving and restoring our forests and the great improvement of waterways, are all proper government functions which must involve large expenditure if properly performed.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)