Florida's Endangered Scrub Mints Threatened by Habitat Loss, Urging for Conservation Efforts

The latest report warned of the potential impacts of climate change and habitat loss on the endangered population of scrub mints in Florida, which has been exacerbated by the development of agricultural pastures.

Scrub mints are one of the unique and beautiful perennials in Florida, and branches can spread despite being short-lived. The said mints can grow in sand pine scrub, including in sandhill habitats and oak scrub, which is mostly found in Florida and the southeastern US.

The retreat of glaciers provides a unique plant diversity in the region. The rare scrub mints used to grow more in the Apalachicola Basin of Florida about four million years ago. Despite its ecological and cultural importance, scrub mints have suffered from continued threats of climate change and human disturbance.

Researchers raised concerns about the alarming impact on their species. Other threats include habitat loss, wildfires, and invasive species. Without urgent conservation and protection efforts, scrub mints can suffer from imminent extinction or widespread loss, as many species are now considered threatened and endangered.

Florida's Endangered Scrub Mints

According to a report, scrub mints have experienced an alarming population loss. Of the 24 known species, about half are listed as endangered or threatened due to climate change and habitat destruction. The research findings were published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

"If we continue with business as usual, this entire group of plants could go extinct within the next 100 years. And we won't just lose these species. We'll lose the scrub, one of the most truly authentic and formerly ubiquitous Florida habitats will just go away," Andre Naranjo, the study's lead author, as quoted in a report.

In addition, the falling sea levels allowed the scrub mints to undergo a rare hybridization. For instance, the Titusville balm is considered a hybrid scrub mint, showing the diversification in plants. Understanding the evolution history of scrub mints can be helpful with conservation efforts amidst the growing threats to their numbers.

The Lakela's mint (Dicerandra immaculata) is also critically endangered together with other scrub mints. The increasing development of agricultural pastures and commercialization of areas have reduced the habitats of mints. Mints have also been threatened by the potential spread of invasive species.

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Protection Efforts for Endangered Scrub Mints

Understanding the DNA and historical interactions of mints will offer new insights into their shrinking habitats. The researchers also raised concerns about other unidentified species of mints that are lacking federal protection, which is subject to decline or extinction.

In the past, the mints had a wider distribution despite their short-lived population. Researchers explained that the mints could undergo the mints have separate evolutionary trajectories. As a result, protection trees is crucial for the environment and many species.