Tag: UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

image - FLREC assistant professor of nematology Abolfazl Hajihassani

UF/IFAS scientist battles ‘hidden enemies’ in South Florida’s soil

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla – When it comes to soil, Abolfazl "Abi" Hajihassani can give South Florida growers the scoop nematodes and more. As the newest member of UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, the assistant professor ... READ MORE

Category: Horticulture, Pests & Disease, Pests & Disease, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Abolfazl "Abi" Hajihassani, Department Of Entomology And Nematology, Fruit Crops, Nematodes, Ornamental Plant Industry, Research, Root-knot Nematodes, Soil, Soil Microbes, Soil Science, South Florida, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center
Primer plano de varias anguilas de pantano asiáticas húmedas y viscosas entrelazadas sobre una superficie blanca. Sus cuerpos son largos, lisos y cilíndricos, con tonalidades marrones, amarillas y verde oscuro. La cabeza de una anguila es claramente visible cerca del centro.

Researchers create DNA detection tool to stop spread of invasive Asian swamp eels, bullseye snakeheads

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Highlights University of Florida researchers have developed a DNA-based test that detects invasive species using only the genetic traces left behind in water. The newly published breakthrough gives wildlife conservationists a powerful ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Blog Community, , Invasive Species, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Amphibian Decline, Aquatic Invasives, Asian Swamp Eel, Bahder Vector Ecology Lab, Brian Bahder, Bullseye Snakehead, Croc Docs Wildlife Research Lab, Crustacean Decline, DNA, Ecological Threat, EDDMaps, EDNA, Environmental DNA, Everglades Restoration, Grant, Invasion Ecology, Invasive Species, IveGot1, Melissa Miller, National Invasive Species Awareness Week, SEEDIT, SEEDIT Grant, Sergio Balaguera-Reina, South Florida Water Management District, Support For Emerging Enterprise Development Integration Teams, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Wildlife Conservationists
A photo of a black and white argentine tegu. Photo by UF/IFAS

Fighting the tegu spread, protecting Florida’s wildlife, natural areas through sustained multiagency efforts

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Argentine black and white tegus are one of the largest non-native invasive lizard species posing a significant threat to the biodiversity and ecological integrity of Florida’s natural areas. As omnivores that eat fruits, vegetables, ... READ MORE

Category: Invasive Species, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Croc Docs, Edis, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, FWC, National Park Service, South Florida Water Management District, Tegu, U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, United States Fish And Wildlife Service, United States Geological Survey
These Formosan termites are part of a colony. Adobe photo credit.

Is your neighborhood a termite hot spot? UF/IFAS researchers track the spread of destructive pests with online tool

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

University of Florida researchers caution the public that an increasing number of communities are now hot spots for invasive termite species, facing significant threats to property and trees. “Recent studies indicate that Formosan subterranean ... READ MORE

Category: Disaster Preparation, Home Management, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Asian Subterranean Termites, Decayed Wood, Dropped Wings, Florida, Formosan Subterranean Termite, Infestations, Invasive Species, Map, Pest Control Professionals, Preventative Measures, Property Owners, Termites, Thomas Chouvenc, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, West Indian Drywood Termites
A hissing Burmese python. Español. Una pitón birmana con su boca abierta.

Cracking the Burmese python code: New data zeroes in on game-changing strategies

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

In a groundbreaking study, University of Florida scientists statistically analyzed large amounts of data collected by Burmese python contractors, revealing critical insights about how to most efficiently remove the reptiles. Researchers ... READ MORE

Category: , Conservation, Invasive Species, Natural Resources, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Wildlife
Tags: Alex Romer, Big Cypress National Preserve, Burmese Python, Citizen Scientists, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Invasive Species, Melissa Miller, News, Palm Beach County, Python Contractors, Python Elimination Program, Reptiles, Scientific Reports, SFWMD, South Florida Water Management District, Tamiami Trail, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation
The role of citizen science in contributing to conservation efforts

Citizen science and why it matters, UF/IFAS experts explain

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Have you ever noticed unusual plants, animals or insects in your area? Chances are there is way to help scientists learn more about them. Then there are invasive species – non-native species that threaten Florida’s ecosystems, agriculture ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Citizen Science, Community Engagement, Conservation, Corey Callaghan, Croc Docs, Crocodilians, Data, EDDMaps, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Frank Mazzotti, FWC, Inaturalist, Invasion, Invasion Science Research Institute, Invasive Species, ISRI, IveGot1, Lourdes Mederos, Melissa Miller, Native Species, News, Non-native Species, Paul Evans, Sergio A. Balaguera-Reina, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Information Resource System, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida, Wildlife Ecology And Conservation

Here’s what’s on tap for Citizen Science Month at UF/IFAS

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Scientists need help from residents, and that is what Citizen Science Month is all about. This national observance, held nationally in April, highlights the importance of how consumers engage in science by partnering with scientists on ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Boating, CISMAs, Citizen Science, Citizen Science Month, City Nature Challenge, Climate Change, Environment, Environmental Horticulture, Family, Florida Sea Grant, Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Landscape Water Survey, News, SoFLo City Nature Challenge, Southwest Florida Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas, Southwest Florida Invasive Fish Roundup, UF Extension Wildflower Bioblitz, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension St. Lucie County
Children learning how a bioblitz works.

MEDIA ALERT: Broward youth grow food, protect environment with UF/IFAS at YMCA Weston

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

WHAT: How do you capture the attention of youth, so they embrace environmentally friendly habits? How do you engage them in adopting sustainable best practices that will grow with them? You introduce food into the picture and engage all their ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Conservation, Curriculum, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Horticulture, Natural Resources, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, UF/IFAS Teaching, Wildlife
Tags: Environmental Stewards, Kimberly Moore, Media Alert, UF IFAS Extension Broward, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County 4-H, YMCA, Youth

What’s next for UF/IFAS scientists on the Burmese python telemetry scout project?

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Highlights: Burmese python breeding season is in full swing in the Florida Everglades. For a team of scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this ... READ MORE

Category: Conservation, Invasive Species, Pests & Disease, SFYL Hot Topic, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research, Water, Wildlife
Tags: Biology, Brandon Welty, Breeding, Burmese Python, Clutch, Croc Docs, Department Of Wildlife Ecology And Conservation, Florida Everglades, Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission, Invasion Science, Invasion Science Research Institute, Invasive Species, Melissa Miller, Python Telemetry Scout Project, Radio Telemetry, South Florida, South Florida Water Management District, U.S. Geological Survey, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, University Of Florida Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, USGS Fort Collins Science Center, Wildlife Biologist
Sobros de alimentos utilizados para hacer compost.

One step to curbing climate change this holiday season is to make the most of your food waste, UF/IFAS experts toss in tips on why and how to compost

by Lourdes Mederos
May 15, 2026

Food waste is one of the drivers of climate change. People have begun their holiday grocery shopping, and as food enters the picture, why not keep food waste to a minimum. Make this holiday season the start of your composting practices and ... READ MORE

Category: UF/IFAS
Tags: Climate Change, Compost, Institute Of Food And Agricultural Sciences, Landfills, Lorna Bravo, Mica McMillan, News, Randall Penn, Recycling, U.S. Department Of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, UF IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research And Education Center, UF-IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Extension Broward County, University Of Florida, Vermicomposting

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