EVERGLADES
What are the Everglades:
The Everglades are a prime example of a wetland.
The Everglades are home to a wide range of plants, each very
Wetlands range depending on where they are located, but no
matter where they are located they are all very similar. Wetlands
are areas in which water covers the soil for most, or all, of the
year. This includes the growing season, which means that animals
and plants living in these areas adapt in order to survive in such
wet conditions. Wetlands
support a wide range of
aquatic life and sometimes
are label “biological
supermarkets” as they
include high levels of plant
Even though the Everglades is a very beautiful place, it suffers from many environmental problems. The two biggest problems that the Everglades suffer
and species diversity. The
Everglades are located on
the southern tip of Florida
(as shown in the map) and
are one of the prime
examples of a wetland. Even though the Everglades are richly
diverse and unique there are many environmental problems.
These problems are located in the “Environmental Factors of the
Everglades” and not only effect the Everglades, but wetlands in
general. If these problems continue to occur than wetlands will
start to cease to exist.
Animals in the Everglades
The Everglades support a wide, diverse, range of
animals. These animals are distinct to their wetland
environment and range from very small amphibians, such as
the Florida Cricket Frog to large mammals, such as the
Florida Panther. These animals are very important to this
environment as it creates
There are many political and social problems organisms. The
a fully functioning
ecosystem in which all of
the organisms are
dependent on each
other. Even though a
wide range of animals
find refugee in the
Everglades, many of
these animals are invasive. This does not help the the
Everglades as it creates competition between species, for
resources, that otherwise would not have existed. The
Everglades are perfect for all types of species - which makes it
easy for nonnative species to thrive. Domestic animals are the
main type of invasive animal found in the Everglades. With over
300 species of fish, 40 mammals, 50 reptiles and 360 different
types of birds the Everglades truly is a unique area. Many of
these animals are only found in the Everglades and are
considered to be endangered or threatened. The picture above is
of a Florida panther; they are considered to be endangered in the Florida.
Vegetation in the Everglades
different and distinct. Because the southern tip of Florida has such optimal
growing conditions, this allows many different types of plants to grow. Because
the Everglades are a wetland, the plants in this area like to grow in moist, humid
conditions. These conditions are perfect for plants such as duckweed, pond
lilies, cattail, sedges, mangroves, cypress and willows. Even though there are a
wide range of
plants in the
Everglades, just
like the animals,
Environmental Factors of the Everglades:
many of these
plants are also
from, would be disturbed lands, including air quality, and invasive species. Invasive species are becoming a larger problem in this area as they are changing the
invasive.
environment in which the reside in. These organisms can cause catastrophic changes to the ecosystem - effecting not only the areas around them, but the overall
Because of this
existence of the Everglades. While the Everglades National Park, along with the Wildlife Conservation Commission, have aggressively tired to control these nonnative
is creates a
species it is going to take a long time before these species become manageable to the point where they don’t exist in the Everglades. The Burmese Python is the
competition for
prime example of a nonnative species in the Everglades. In this year alone so far, 347 pythons were removed in and around the Everglades National Park. The
natural
reason that this is a problem is because humans, sometimes without realizing it, introduce this animals into the area thinking it is no big deal. What they fail to realize
resources, that
is that these species usually do more harm than good. If uncontrolled these species will continue to grow, in which case it may be too late. The second environmental
would otherwise
problem of the Everglades would be the disturbed lands. The lands around the Everglades is becoming more populous which is not only introducing nonnative
not have
plants, but also causing the water to become less healthy. In many areas the run-off of humans is flowing directly into the Everglades. This is a problem as it is
existed. This creates problems as the nonnative plants continue to grow -
polluting the waters - which leads to unfit conditions for animals and plants. The main reason for this, is also because
wiping out the native plants that are important to the animals in this
humans are developing more land around the Everglades. Human actions such as mining, logging, dredging and stream
environment. Many of these plants are also only found in the Everglades and
channelization, deposition of fill material and diking and damming are some of the reasons why the wetlands are
if we were to lose these plants then we would be losing plants that are very
decreasing in size. Pollution is increasing in this area, making it harder for animals and plants to thrive. Overall, the most
important to this specific environment.
significant impact to the living things in the biome would be the human influence. Humans are the many reasons why the
state of the Everglades is changing. They are not only causing pollution, but they are also introducing nonnative
animals, which leads to the food web and cycle to be disrupted. Humans are causing the Everglades to decrease in size,
Geography and Climate
because as more developments go up there is less land for the animals that live in this environment. In conclusion the
environmental factors of the Everglades are directly because of humans. If humans continue to pollute and develop The climate and the geography located in the Everglades is
areas surrounding the Everglades, the Everglades will continue to decrease in size and species diversity. very unique as it is similar to the temperate of both North
America and the tropical Caribbean. Because of this the area
Climate and Geographic Factors that Contribute to Environmental Problems: (Why they are Social and Political Problems: hosts a wide range of
important)
Overall wetlands are very important to the area in which they are located. They provide a variety of functions surrounding the Everglades. As the Everglades continue
Everglades usually
including, natural water control, flood protection, shoreline erosion control and an opportunities for recreation at no cost. These to be developed on it creates a problem for the scientists
and naturalists who want to preserve and protect the ranges in
are important qualities of wetlands because it helps cut costs of over wise needed necessities to prevent damage to human
subdivisions. Some wetlands provide fish harvests which can be a big source of income. It is also known that around one-third of Everglades. Currently, the Everglades Restoration temperature from
the animals living in the United States Wetlands are endangered or threatened. project is taking steps to preserve and return this wetland 53-77 degrees F
The reason why there are environmental problems is mostly because of the perfect conditions that the Everglades to its natural state. Even though this project is helping the
provide for animals and plants. This, without meaning to, causes plants and animals that are nonnative to be able to adapt and through December
Everglades, it is going to take over 30 years to finish, with
thrive in the Everglades. The Everglades water climate and abundance, or so it seems, of space allows these animals to create a
millions of dollars of investment. Currently Florida’s to April. While in the
habitat for themselves. While this is good, it can lead to huge populations of these invasive species which can harm the
government it working to achieve a resolution that both summer they become
environment. Also for humans, these areas are ideal for them as a warm area to live. Because these spots are ideal for humans it
creates a need for more sub divisions - leading the Everglades to start to shrink in size to fit the growing population.
parties, the conversationalists and developers will benefit. hot and humid with
temperatures around 90 degrees F. This area witnesses an
abundance of hurricanes - with a hurricane season from June
Projected Outlook of the Wetlands (including the Everglades) in 20 Years:
to November. Many tropical storms and hurricanes effect this
The overall outlook of the wetlands in the next 20 years is not very good. Because wetlands are already being slighting ruined because of area. This area also receive a lot of rain fall (about 60 inches
natural causes, humans actions only speed up the process. If humans continue to develop and destroy the wetlands they soon will not be around - per year) from June to October. All this rainfall thus makes
which leads to a wide range of animals and plants being wiped out too. Even though not all wetlands are being developed on, human pollution can
the area very wet. The Everglades are very low in elevation as
cause the wetlands to become not tolerable for animals and plants - leading to wetlands dying out. Specifically the Everglades, as the climate
they are located on the tip of the Florida peninsula. Overall,
increases and due to its location it will mostly likely feel the impacts from climate change first. This will thus not only effect the Everglades directly, by
the Everglades is a prime example of a wetland.
killing the unique species and ecosystem, but it also will effect it indirectly for the humans that make their living off working in and around the
Everglades. If we, being humans, continue down this path of no consideration for the wetlands then we will lose a very important competent of our
Earth. Protection and conservation must occur in order for the wetlands to survive. The wetlands are very important as they provide a wide range of
uses to animals, plants and humans. Without them, we are not only effecting the animals and plants living in this area but we are effecting ourselves!