Rare fish species thriving in Juniper Creek, Ocala National Forest in Florida

The clear springs, lakes and rivers in Northern Florida play host to thousands of species, some of which are found nowhere else. The karst geography and high water table of north Florida leads to thousands of these springs scattered across the state. Vast amounts of crystal-clear water erupts from an underground network that connects all water bodies across the state.
However most of these springs now receive substantial agricultural runoff from ranches and orchards. This means tons of fertilisers in the water, which lead to excess algal growth, which kills other water plants, stagnates and muddies the water, and can die and rot en masse which consumes oxygen in the water.
Juniper Spring is one of the very few whose drainage area is solely comprised of protected, fertiliser-free land. Not only does this provide a vital ecosystem for the vulnerable specialist species of this biome, but it massively improves the health of the downstream rivers, lakes, and estuaries by diluting the fertiliser-rich water.
Fascinating place, definitely worth a visit.