ecosystems, climates...

In a message dated 3/21/2004 9:22:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, oneofcultivars@aol.com writes:

My personal opinion is the world's echosystem has been adjusting and readjusting since time immamorial: it has never been static nor will it ever be irrespective of man's intervention or lack there of.


Bill,
     You are right on that...   One thing I have thought of is the way the citrus belt keeps being pushed farther southward.  In 1880, Oranges were grown as far north as Tifton, Georgia. Ever since, it has been pushed farther and farther southward. 
     Up to 1894, this area was a major citrus growing area.  Nearby Citrus County owes its name to the massive groves that once existed there.  In 1894, a series of brutally cold weather fronts, some with snow, destroyed 100% of the groves here.  The temperature during this time fell to as low as -1 F, possibly a little colder in the hills.
     In the 1920's there was a marginally successful attempt to bring back the Citrus crops here, but for the most part, they kept getting wiped out.  The winter of 1977 finished it off with yet another trip to -1 F and snow having been on record here.  There were some more cold snaps throught the 1980's.
     Under the current patterns, it is far too cold to grow those crops here.  The only Citrus trees in this area now are those of hobby growers in very sheltered locations, and those are "replanted" trees. 
     When I first visited Florida in 1975, I remember seen massive Orange groves on the hills northwest of Orlando.  When I was there in 1986, it was nothing but dead trees.

Mark A. Cook
BigAlligator@aol.com
USDA Zone 8b   Sunset Zone 28
Dunnellon, Florida USA.
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