Brazilian Pepper Tree Research Paper

The Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius, is an invasive plant species that was introduced to Florida from South America. This particular plant presents a serious hazard to the biodiversity of Florida’s ecosystems, as it tends to eliminate native plant species wherever it grows. Since the Brazilian pepper tree was brought over from South America in the mid-1800’s, the reach of the plant has swelled to over 700,000 acres, creating poor habitats for Florida’s native species (Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, n.d.). The invasive species is able to change forms depending on the environment it grows in which adds to its effectiveness of spreading. The Brazilian pepper tree will continue to threaten Florida’s biodiversity unless
The research conducted shows that native plant species will continue to be eliminated throughout Florida, should the tree continue to expand at its current rate. In order to protect native plant species, institutions such as the Biological Control Research and Containment Laboratory (BCRCL) have been attempting to find effective biological control agents, such as the Episimus unguiculus, to combat the Brazilian pepper tree population. Correspondingly, BCRCL and other institutions have been examining and testing other categories of elimination methods, such as cultural, mechanical, and chemical. While the aforementioned methods may eventually prove to be extremely effective, many of them have not yet left the laboratory. As time passes, the pepper tree population continues to grow; elimination methods are needed now before the population becomes further beyond control. Even though the Brazilian pepper tree may never be permanently removed from Florida’s environment, more research on methods to prevent the plant from spreading should be considered. By conducting such research, influence of the plant on Florida’s aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems could be lessened