Florida’s Lake Okeechobee is essential for water management but faces harmful algal blooms, which thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters.  Daily vertical migration enables them to survive in turbid conditions. A new study using a physical-biogeochemical model reveals that cyanobacteria move toward the surface for sunlight in the morning, boosting growth, and are redistributed by wind and mixing at night. This daily migration, combined with temperature and wind patterns, influences bloom development, offering insights to better monitor and manage harmful algal blooms.

A new FAU survey reveals that more than two-thirds of Floridians are moderately or extremely concerned about hurricanes increasing in strength and frequency, and more than half are worried about the ability to afford and maintain homeowners insurance due to climate change. Nearly two-thirds of Floridians believe that state and federal governments should be doing more to address the impacts of climate change. Most also support expanding the use of renewable energy. About 88% of all Floridians believe climate change is happening.