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The Eco-status The Everglades is a national environmental and economic treasure. Within its boundaries are four national parks, twelve national wildlife refuges, the first ever national preserve, two national marine sanctuaries, ten state aquatic preserves, twenty state parks, and the only coral reef in continental North America. It is a World Heritage site, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) Biosphere Reserve, and a Ramsar Reserve. Spanning two million acres in South Florida, the Everglades are now less than half its original size. Its waters once began in the Kissimmee River basin where it formed a wide, shallow river with a slow, southward flow through Lake Okeechobee down to Florida Bay. The Everglades, distribution, storage, and purification were naturally regulated. Water passages have since been obstructed with the creation of such structures as canals and levees. Seventy percent of the water that once flowed through the Everglades has been diverted to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts arriving polluted. Water that actually reaches the Everglades does not flow with the natural rhythm that allowed it to sustain the plant, birds, fish and mammals of the area. It is polluted with concentrations of phosphorus, nitrogen, and mercury waste from the developed and agricultural areas. Flooding and pollution are now a problem as the natural drainage system no longer functions as it once did. Conversely, dry seasons are harsh as naturally stored water that should be available to compensate for seasonal needs no longer flows when and where it needs to go. Tampering with this sensitive eco-system has resulted in a total of 68 plant and animal species being threatened or endangered while wading bird populations have declined by 90 percent due to agricultural and development activities in the Everglades. Find out more about the status of the Everglades Ecosystem: |
