Florida’s Natural Resources: From Beaches to Phosphate

Florida’s unique geography yields a rich resource base:

Water & Coast

• 2,000+ miles of coastline, springs, aquifers (Floridan Aquifer), Everglades wetlands.

Ecosystems

• Coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, pine flatwoods, cypress swamps.

Minerals

• Phosphate (global leader), limestone, sand, gravel.

Wildlife

• Manatees, panthers, alligators, sea turtles, diverse birdlife.

Protected Lands

• National parks (Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas), state parks, refuges.

Agriculture & Energy

• Citrus, sugarcane, tomatoes, cattle; growing solar potential.

Sustainable management is critical as population growth and climate change pressure these assets.