How to Protect and Preserve Florida Wetlands & Uplands

Florida’s wetlands and uplands are among the nation’s most valuable and complex ecosystems. From providing habitat for native wildlife to retaining stormwater and generating tourism, areas like the Everglades play a critical role in the state’s environmental and economic health. Yet, these areas face ongoing stress from development, pollution, and invasive species. With so much at stake, careful, ongoing care is crucial to preserve these incredible ecosystems.

Wetlands and uplands are areas where land and water intersect, creating conditions that can sustain a diverse range of plants, birds, amphibians, fish, and other native species. Types of wetlands include:

Pollution:
Urban development activities can transport excess nutrients to wetlands and uplands. Though they’re naturally rich in nutrients, an overabundance can cause imbalances that make the ecosystems less resilient against nuisance weeds, harmful algal blooms, and other environmental threats.

Climate change:
Rising sea levels are slowly submerging coastal wetlands. Hurricanes and storms are becoming more frequent and destructive, leaving wetlands vulnerable to severe damage. Increasing fluctuations between hot summers and extreme winters put added stress on wetland and upland ecosystems.

Invasive species:
Invasive species are one of the most dangerous threats to Florida’s wetlands and uplands. Non-native species are not inherently harmful, but because they evolved in vastly different environments, they don’t fit naturally into other food webs. They often have fewer predators and characteristics that allow them to outcompete native species for food and resources. This can reduce biodiversity and create imbalances that impact the entire ecosystem.

Most invasives are introduced unintentionally through global trade, travel, the aquarium industry, and recreation. Invasive weed fragments, for example, are commonly transported to new areas through boat propellers or by migrating birds. Human activities, particularly those that inundate wetlands with excess nutrients, create conditions for rapid weed growth.

Managing invasive plants is critical to promoting balance in wetland and upland ecosystems. Once established, invasive species can be extremely difficult to manage. In most cases, full eradication is not realistic, so the primary goal is to keep invasive plants in check so native species can safely reestablish.

Experts often start with aquatic herbicides to quickly reduce invasive growth that is choking out native vegetation. While essential for initial control, they should not be viewed as a long-term solution.

Because wetlands and uplands are delicate ecosystems, these applications are:

• Designed to disrupt specific growth mechanisms in many invasive plants while minimizing the impact on non-target species.
• Only conducted with products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Performed by licensed professionals according to precise label instructions 
• Part of a holistic approach that includes many eco-friendly, proactive solutions

With careful planning, our teams often go in by foot to conduct removals or treatments, but if permitted, we can also use specialized equipment—including airboats, amphibious track vehicles, and low-ground-pressure machinery to help limit disturbances to the delicate habitats. Modern technologies like professional-grade drones are also used to apply herbicides in dangerous or hard-to-reach areas with safety and precision.

Depending on the specific wetland, upland, preserve area, or client’s goals, experts often utilize aquatic herbicides or perform manual cutting on foot to quickly reduce invasive growth. While essential for initial control, herbicides should not be viewed as a long-term solution.

Florida’s wetlands and uplands are some of the most endangered ecosystems in the country and are always vulnerable to imbalances and invaders. Protecting these environments requires consistent, ongoing maintenance. Programs like SOL Pro Annual Management Plans support healthy, balanced aquatic ecosystems year-round through proactive, holistic care.

1 NOAA Office for Coastal Management

2 IFAS Extension: University of Florida