• Non-Native Fisheries Laboratory/Non-Native Fish Research Lab, Florida Fish and 
Wildlife Conservation Commission. The Laboratory focuses its research on the 
34 non-native fish species that have reproducing populations in Florida. 
A.10.3. CLIMATE CHANGE CONCERNS 
• Climate change may cause more hurricanes, which decreases the likelihood for hydrilla 
to grow. Significant amounts of rain and floodwater hinder the growth of hydrilla due to 
the resulting reduction in sunlight. 
• Many AIS live in southern Florida, and climate change could result in northward range 
expansions. If the species make it to the northern part of the peninsula, they eventually 
could move into other states. 
A.10.4. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS 
• An annual inventory may allow the state to observe and understand changes in invasive 
species populations over time. 
A.10.5. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION USED 
• As of January 2003, the Non-Native Fish Research Lab is responsible for assessing the 
role of 32 exotic fishes with reproducing populations in Florida. These fish include: the 
introduced walking catfish and swamp eel from Southeast Asia, tilapia from Africa, the 
Mayan cichlid from Central America, and the butterfly peacock from South America. 
A.10.6. RESEARCH NEEDS 
• Information that could improve the efficacy of herbicides and the timing of herbicide 
treatments is needed. 
• Further investigation of selectivity issues is needed. The SWFWMD tries to be as 
selective as possible in targeting invasive plants and protecting/promoting the recovery of 
native plant communities by adjusting the timing of herbicide treatments, application 
rates, and treatment techniques in order to maximize treatment selectivity. 
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