1. Joel Rivera
Decreasing biodiversity
The University of Florida recently conducted research in Swaziland,
Africa and found that wildlife biodiversity suffered near areas that bordered
large farms.
“With over 20 ranches and farms in the Gainesville area, the lives of
many types of animals are threatened,” said Randall Casey, chemical
engineering major.
Bob McCleery, assistant professor for wildlife and ecology
conservation, said the reasoning behind choosing Africa is because of the
vast forms of animal life.
McCleery saw that in the areas where large farms were present, the
lives of animals including the striped mouse, gerbil and fat mouse were in
trouble.
The university was able to bring back research to help understand how
local farms could possess harm to the wildlife in Gainesville.
The study said that biodiversity is crucial to controlling agricultural
pests and increased pollination around farmland.

2. Beecher Bullock, a member of the Williston ranching family, said that
he and his family do what ever they can to preserve the lives of the animals.
“We care for them, if we see a squirrel or duck we’ll grab some food
and feed the poor thing,” he said.
Bullock said that although the study conducted in Africa showed harm
to the wildlife, he and his family do whatever they can to help out the
animals.
Bullock said he was unaware of the effects of large farming and is
going to revisit some of the ways the farm operates.
McCleery said that he works closely with Mark Hostetler, the
university and with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) to ensure the safety of the wildlife.
The overall goal is to prevent the biodiversity of wildlife from being
extinct.
“Loss of wetlands and other native habitats to development, efforts to
stabilize water levels, and the impacts of pollution, including introduction of
non-native plants and animals, are all changing what Florida is,” according
to the FWC.

3. If we want to conserve the true value of what Florida is agencies,
corporations, citizens and visitors need to work together as stewards of our
living resources and the habitats that support them.
McCleery said a way to help out the community is to get some feeders
for your yard or add some shrubs and trees.
“I understand everyone wants a nice green healthy field, but what’s
best for the us isn’t necessarily best for the animals,” he said.