Earth Edition

Elusive Solutions

admin — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The fourth episode of the “Water Woes” series, this documentary focuses on what is being considered -- and done -- to solve the major water problems facing Southwest Florida. From the Kissimee River Basin to Sanibel, the show chronicles efforts on behalf of policymakers, water managers and citizens -- from federal to local levels -- to avert an ecological doomsday.

The Caloosahatchee

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 05:00:00 GMT

There are really two Caloosahatchee Rivers. The first is a million-year-old serpentine waterway that snaked halfway across the Florida peninsula; the second, a deep, wide, trench gouged by man through the South Florida landscape and called simply C-43. As dissimilar as they are, the two Caloosahatchees have one thing in common – both stand at a crossroads between ruin and resuscitation.

Lake Okeechobee

admin — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 05:00:00 GMT

During the past 125 years, a series of well-intentioned decisions, actions and policies have turned what should have been one of Florida's greatest natural treasures into an environmental villain. Six thousand years after it was formed, residents and agencies across the state are now raising the question: Is it too late for Lake O?

Estuary Crisis

admin — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 05:00:00 GMT

In the estuaries of Southwest Florida, where the timeless Caloosahatchee River ends its journey and its fresh water mingles with the salty Gulf of Mexico, the forces of man and nature sometimes team up to upset the delicate balance that sustains those estuaries, imperiling these incubators of life itself.

Sea Turtles

admin — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Of the world’s seven species of sea turtles, five occur in Florida. The shy marine reptile leaves the water only to lay eggs in the coastal sand: a process that has occurred for more than 100 million years. With every species, one in one thousand survive. This episode examines the fascinating life of sea turtles.

Inundated: Invasive Exotics

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 05:00:00 GMT

In Florida's unique, subtropical environment, native species evolved to form a fragile balance. But species brought in from other countries also thrive in the region. Today, many of Florida's native species of plants, wildlife, marine life and insects are being overrun, overwhelmed or preyed upon by exotic species. Some we accidentally brought in and others were intentionally introduced to the area. Earth Edition explores the impacts of non-native invaders.

Blue Holes in the Gulf

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 05:00:00 GMT

Former springs and sinkholes, blue holes formed when the rising water table made Florida smaller. There are at least a dozen on Florida's continental shelf, with some plunging hundreds of feet deeper than the hard limestone floor of the Gulf of Mexico. In partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, In Focus embarks on the first organized scientific investigation into the blue holes of the Gulf, exploring the plant and animal life that thrive at these extreme depths.

Red Tide

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Southwest Florida is the center of red tide research, from tracking the harmful algal bloom, predicting where it may go next, determining causes of outbreaks and looking for links to pollution. Red tide blooms have been recorded for centuries, and their frequency is rising. Or is it?

Eugenie Clark

admin — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 05:00:00 GMT

Much of what is known today about shark anatomy, physiology and behavior comes from the work of Eugenie Clark. In 1955 she started a marine laboratory in Sarasota. Today the Mote Marine Lab is home to the Congressionally-designated Center for Shark Research and a 135,000-gallon shark habitat in its aquarium. This month’s Earth Edition profiles the life and studies of Eugenie Clark.

Outdoor Recreation

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2005 04:00:00 GMT

Kayaking with nesting osprey overhead or hiking in a scenic forest of old oaks can make getting exercise a lot more exciting. Lake Okeechobee, one of largest landmarks, offers a trail around its perimeter for hiking, bicycling, or rollerblading. The Southwest Florida Great Calusa Blueway encompasses an extensive marked waterway for kayak and canoe enthusiasts.

Delicate Blooms: South Florida's Native Orchids

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 04:00:00 GMT

Home to alligators, panthers, and plenty of mosquitoes, South Florida's swamps also harbor native species of orchids, including the rare and delicate ghost orchid. South Florida was once an ideal habitat for a large number of plants, but today many orchids are on the endangered species list. Changes in the region's hydrology, increased development, and poachers threaten the future of the state's unique flowers. American Public Television picked up this program for national distribution. Click on the image to learn more: