As the planet heats up, climate changes have impacts on many ecological systems, including pine forests. Pine forests are an important resource due the large amounts of carbon dioxide they absorb from the air. This carbon sequestration helps to eliminate some greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

While Americans everywhere enjoy plump, juicy tomatoes straight from the Florida sunshine, they may not know that a papaya plant wasp is helping to keep their beloved red vegetables disease free.

Transportation, production of manufactured goods and human inhabitation all contribute to a more advanced society, yet an ever-rising carbon footprint – one that has had impacts on the environment such as climate change, global warming and the endangerment of certain species.

La Florida or "the place of flowers" was named by European explorers because of its thriving wildflowers. Since then, human inhabitation and farming have reduced the prevalence of Florida's once–loved wildflower populations. Now, with new research and technology, IFAS researcher Hector Perez is helping the restoration effort by uncovering aspects of wildflower biology for maximum seed potential that can inform restoration practitioners and native plant producers.