Climate Change Impacts South Florida Ecosystems

Phillip Hughes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discusses the impact of rising tides on vegetation in the National Key Deer Refuge, Florida Keys. He explains how less salt-tolerant buttonwood trees are being replaced by mangroves and other salt-tolerant species due to increased salinity and rising sea levels. The video highlights the significant vegetation changes in the area, including the loss of pine areas in Sugar Loaf Key.

Who is the speaker in the video and what organization is he associated with?

• Jane Smith with the Environmental Protection Agency

• Phillip Hughes with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Michael Brown with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

• John Doe with the National Park Service

What is the main reason for the death of buttonwood trees in the Florida Keys?

• Excessive rainfall

• Low salt tolerance

• High salt tolerance

• Lack of sunlight

Which type of plants are replacing the buttonwood trees in the Florida Keys?

• Pine trees

• Mangroves

• Cypress trees

• Palm trees

What natural phenomenon is causing the interweaving of live and dead trees?

• Droughts

• Hurricanes

• Rising tides

• Earthquakes

How much has the tide risen at the Key West tidal station over the last hundred years?

• Twelve inches

• Nine inches

• Five inches

• Fifteen inches