Science Center Objects. When Atlantic hurricanes make landfall in south Florida, the coastal marshes and mangrove forests of the Everglades often act as a buffer that protects residents from rising sea levels, high winds and storm surge .
Who is responsible for protecting the Everglades?
But there’s hope for the Everglades. For more than five decades, The Nature Conservancy and partners have been working to protect this critical system.
How are the Everglades protected?
Local South Florida residents can help protect the Everglades by minimizing the use of pesticides and chemicals , which are absorbed into the groundwater and can harm the water and nature in the Everglades. Minimize water usage.
How are the Everglades being protected?
The key projects – such as reservoirs to store and treat Lake Okeechobee’s overflow and efforts to restore natural flows such as bridging the Tamiami Trail highway – will work together to achieve a lasting, comprehensive restoration for the Everglades.
How does the Everglades benefit Florida?
For example, the Everglades ecosystem provides drinking water for one-third of Floridians and irrigation for much of the state’s agriculture. The wetlands improve water quality by filtering out pollutants and absorbing excess nutrients, replenish aquifers, and reduce flooding.
What is the biggest threat to the Everglades?
The two biggest threats to the Everglades ecosystem are water quality and water quantity . With rapid development on both coasts and an expanding agriculture industry, the human demand for water is increasing rapidly while the supply is not changing.
What is the ultimate goal of restoring the Everglades?
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a multibillion dollar project authorized by Congress in the year 2000. This plan aspires to increase freshwater storage, improve water quality, and re-establish the natural water flow through the greater Everglades ecosystem .
Are Everglades healthy?
The Everglades are essential for fish and wildlife , but the system also provides enormous benefits to people, as it: Provides drinking water for more than 8 million Floridians. Protects communities from hurricanes and floods. Supports Florida’s $1.2 billion fishing industry.
What would happen if the Everglades disappeared?
Without the Everglades as a buffer to hurricanes and as a source of drinking water, it’s the people living in South Florida who risk becoming the endangered species. ... And if rising seas turn more of the freshwater Everglades salty, then the water seeping into aquifers threatens to foul our inland drinking water wells.
Does anyone live in Everglades?
Although known for its vast natural landscapes, the Everglades have been home and hunting grounds for many people and groups . Learn more about the people that have lived and worked in the Everglades. ... Seminole Indians south of the Tamiami Trail.
What are some problems in the Everglades?
- loss of the natural communities of algae that are defining characteristics of the Everglades.
- loss of water dissolved oxygen that fish need.
- changes in the native plant communities that result in a loss of the open water areas where wading birds feed.
What is Everglades famous for?
The Everglades provides important habitat for numerous species like the manatee, American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther . The park has long been a birder’s paradise — it is the winter home of more than 360 different species of birds.
Why is Everglades special?
The Everglades is a unique treasure found in South Florida. The Everglades is the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the United States. It consists of 1.5 million acres of saw grass marshes, mangrove forests, and hardwood hammocks dominated by wetlands. It is home to endangered, rare, and exotic wildlife .
What are the two main threats to the Everglades?
Current threats related to reduced water flows, water pollution and shifting habitat are affecting the health of the site and the amount and quality of habitat. Some of these losses cannot be restored, as habitat features have taken decades to centuries to develop.
How are humans destroying the Everglades?
Urban development, industry, and agriculture pressures have destroyed more than half of the original Everglades . Ever-increasing population growth along with industry in south Florida has resulted in large metropolitan areas and rising pressures on the surrounding natural environments.
What is killing the Everglades?
The Florida Everglades have been dealing with the growing threat of invasive species like Burmese pythons for some time now. The pythons are taking over the land and ultimately killing so many of the native species. This growing problem is of major concern for the preservation efforts of the historic wetlands.
