Climate Change Threat: sea level rise causing the loss of the Florida Keys and the entire key deer species
Climate Change and Peninsular Florida: The Video
Featuring Anne Morkill, Paul Souza, Todd Hopkins, and Pamela Repp. Video by Jennifer Strickland.
Video is public domain and may be downloaded, copied, distributed, and/or reposted.
Dive Deeper: Read the Story
“The Key deer would have no place to go,” Refuge Manager Anne Morkill said. If they mix with their mainland counterparts, they will lose their genetic distinction and body characteristics."
Sea Level Rise on Big Pine Key: Level in 2007 and the IPCC's Absolute Best Case Scenario
In the absolute best case scenario, current estimates predict that sea level will rise at least 18cm on Big Pine Key. The following maps by The Nature Conservancy depict what would happen to habitats on the island if and when this occurs.
A male key deer at Key Deer National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of Chad Anderson.
Prescribed fire is used to burn down the understory. Key deer love to eat the fresh, new plants that sprout after a burn. Photo courtesy of Chad Anderson.
“The Key deer would have no place to go,” Refuge Manager Anne Morkill said. If they mix with their mainland counterparts, they will lose their genetic distinction and body characteristics."
