The Everglades: Florida's Unique Landscape of Change
explanatory Essay
1995 words
The Everglades is a diverse ecosystem located in southern Florida, yet urbanization has created a considerable amount of impact that has altered the physical landscape of the region, resulting in a symbiotic environment between humans and nature. Based on geographical research, the original Everglades spanned an area of approximately 12,000km2, and now because of urbanization and agricultural growth in this sub-region the area of the Everglades has been condensed to half of its original size (Willard et al 1-2). The Everglades is actually a sub-region of the Southern Coastlands region of the United States. It is comprised of a unique climate, divided into sub-provinces that create a diverse pallet of environments for wildlife to thrive, yet the impact of human modifications over a period of decades has drastically effected animal populations, and changed the functionality and physical landscape of its expanse. Despite the differences of urbanization and wildlife, major cities and the ecosystem of the Everglades thrive and fuse together to form the diversely changing landscape of the modern Everglades.
The Everglades may also be known as the river of grass because of its 80.5 kilometer (50 miles) wide girth and 161 kilometer (100 miles) long span, with the source of its freshwater coming from Lake Okeechobee just to the north (Tramontana and Johnson 1-2). The Everglades then continues to flow through the southernmost sandbars, mangrove islands, and the Florida Keys before emptying into the Florida Bay. This path creates a mix of saltwater, brackish, and fresh waterways that comprise the marshes and swamplands of this unique environment (Tramontana and Johnson 1-2). Transitions from wet and dry climates are the only seasonal ch...
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...he Everglades National Park - Alligators, Fauna and More - A Fantastic Day Trip From Orlando! 15 July 2011. Everglades touring.
"Historical Everglades." Everglades Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .
Tramontana, Eileen, and Cindy Johnson Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. "Everglades." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 2003. Web. 22 Mar. 2014.
Walker, Robert, and William Solecki. "Theorizing Land-Cover and Land-Use Change: The Case of the Florida Everglades and Its Degradation." Annals of the Association of American Geographers 94.2 (2004): 311-28. JSTOR. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.
Willard, Debra A., Christopher E. Bernhardt, Charles W. Holmes, Bryan Landacre, and Marci Marot. "Response Of Everglades Tree Islands To Environmental Change." Ecological Monographs 76.4 (2006): 565-83. JSTOR. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the everglades is a diverse ecosystem located in southern florida, yet urbanization has altered the physical landscape of the region.
- Explains that the everglades is known as the river of grass because of its 80.5 kilometer (50 miles) wide girth and 161 kilometers long span. transitions from wet and dry climates are the only seasonal changes undergone.
- Presents a map of south florida's everglades ecosystem.
- Explains that the everglades is a sub-region of the southern coastlands. the okeechobee basin, big cypress swamp, southwestern flatwoods, ten thousand islands, and the southern keys provide brackish water for marine animals.
- Presents fig. 2. the sub-provinces of the everglades.
- Explains that the everglades ecosystem and climate has been modified by human innovation and urbanization.
- Describes how the everglades ecosystem and ecology began with the overflowed lands act of 1850, which approved 81,000 km2 of federal land to be given to the state of florida.
- Explains how the economic recession ended and residents called for more flood control in place of the wetland reclamation that had dominated major funds. from 1950 to 1970 the population soared from under 800,000 to almost 2.5 million
- Explains how the everglades restoration plan was founded to mend the region's hydrology and ecosystem. in-migration enabled the growth of agricultural and tourist economies, and the population of southern florida continued to increase.
- Explains that many of the biggest cities in south florida lie along the coastlines and encircle the everglades.
- Cites cole, brad, "map of florida cities - florida road map." geology.com.
- Explains that florida faces alligators fleeing fay. the washington times, 22 aug. 2008. foster, kevin r. everglades national park, a fantastic day trip from orlando!
- Explains that the everglades were degraded due to land cover and land use change.
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- The Everglades: Florida's Unique Landscape of Changeexplanatory essayThe Overflowed Lands Act of 1850 approved 81,000 km2 of federal land to be given to the State of Florida, which marks the start of the economic history of southern Florida. The International Improvement Fund (IIF) then used these granted lands in 1855 to encourage development by means of land reclamation. Railroad and canal companies were then given land in an effort to make new lands accessible for colonization. In the late 1800’s, land drainage projects were headed by prosperous entrepreneurs and the first railroad completed its connection with Miami, serving to provide access to southern Florida. As a result of public funding and demand, the Everglades Drainage District (EDD) of 1907 was formed by Governor William Jennings to institute a design strategy to combat the overwhelming drainage. The Everglades Drainage District received its income as a result of its ability to tax, and over a period of the next twenty years built drainage and flood control structures that laid the groundwork for the major aspects of the existing drainage scheme. The state then marketed thousands of lots of land to companies which were then sold to individuals in hopes that southern Florida would prosper to become a plentiful agricultural region. The total volume of land owners rose dramatically from just 12 owners in 1909 to around 15,000 owners just three years later because of the advertised, exaggerated farming prospective. Landowners flooded into Florida, paying inflated land prices, to own a piece of the potential agricultural utopia that they had been advertised, yet when the land turned out to be less abundant and the drainage issues persisted the housing markets took a big hit. Miami also created a center for tourism and attracted around 125,...
In this essay, the author
- Describes how the overflowed lands act of 1850 approved 81,000 km2 of federal land to be given to the state of florida, which marks the start of the economic history of southern florida.
- Explains that the economic recession ended and residents called for more flood control in place of the wetland reclamation that had dominated major funds.
- Describes how the everglades restoration plan was funded to mend as much as possible of the region's hydrology and ecosystem and to conserve the existing wetlands.
- Explains that the urbanization of the everglades has had a smaller impact on the wildlife and plant species that reside in the marshes.
- Explains that floridians also experience some trouble with the wildlife that surrounds them, such as alligators, snakes and other wildlife swimming around their flooded neighborhoods after tropical storm fay hit.
- Opines that florida faces alligators fleeing fay. the washington times, 22 aug. 2008.
- States walker, robert, solecki, willard, debra a., bernhardt, holmes, landacre, and marot. "response of everglades tree islands to environmental change."
941 wordsRead More - The Florida Everglades ? A Wetlands Ecosystemexplanatory essayThe Florida Everglades — A Wetlands Ecosystem The Everglades, a vast wetlands ecosystem made up of marshes and swamps, begins at Lake Okeechobee, a large lake in the center of Florida, and ends in the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Bay. It is nearly 50 miles across and 110 miles long (Hinrichsen), and when viewed from the air, appears to be miles and miles of shallow water flowing through thick mats of grass. This perception has earned it the name “River of Grass”. Although it does flow like a river, the flow is so incredibly slow that, from a distance, it doesn’t seem to move at all. All of the wildlife in the Everglades is totally dependent on the cycling of water.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the everglades, a vast wetlands ecosystem made up of marshes and swamps, beginning at lake okeechobee and ending in the gulf of mexico and florida bay.
- Analyzes the relationship between humans, snail kites, and apple snails in the everglades.
- Explains that the american alligator plays a critical role in the everglades ecosystem, especially during the dry season.
- Explains that alligator holes. ed. public affairs office. 2 aug. 1997. everglades national park.
- Describes blake, nelson m. land into water: a history of water management in florida.
- Cites tibbetts, john, "making amends: ecological restoration in the united states."
- Explains how the everglades were drained in the 1800s to prevent flooding, but now the natural balance of the ecosystem has been damaged.
- Describes the highlights of the south florida ecosystem taskforce, including scott, chris, smith, randy, and talley.
2060 wordsRead More - Marjory Stoneman Douglas' Dedication to the Florida Evergladesanalytical essayFlorida became a state in 1845 and almost immediately people began proposing to drain the Everglades. In 1848, a government report said that draining the Everglades would be easy, and there would be no bad effect. Canals and dams were dug to control seasonal flooding. Farmers grew vegetables in the rich soil of the drained land, Ranchers had their cattle graze on the dry land, and new railways lines were constructed to connect communities throughout south Florida; but the ecosystem of the Everglades was not suited for either farming or ranching. The natural cycle of dry and wet seasons brought a devastating series of droughts and floods. These had always been a p...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that marjory stoneman douglas was an american journalist, writer, and environmentalist known for her staunch defense of the florida everglades against draining and development.
- Explains that florida became a state in 1845 and people began proposing to drain the everglades. canals and dams were dug to control seasonal flooding.
- Analyzes how marjory douglas' book brought attention to the destruction and now restoration of the everglades. the government effort to channel and dam the water supply of south florida continued.
- Explains how marjory douglas was drawn into the debate over the future of the everglades. she became convinced that the glades should be preserved in a natural state.
- Analyzes how duogla's writings and campaigns, once compared to mother nature by president clinton, helped preserve the florida everglades as a national park then pushed it to the top of the national agenda.
1428 wordsRead More - Nature designed Florida to be one large marine ecosystem. Florida is one big sand peninsula located below the 40th longitudinal North American line. Three bodies of salt water (Gulf of Mexico, Strait of Florida and Atlantic Ocean) surround three out of four directions of Florida. Man-made canals, natural lakes, rivers and estuaries are confined within the State of Florida’s physical boundaries. All of these form an interlocking system of waterways that impact the interconnected marine environment (marine ecosystem). All of Florida’s waterways are connected back to the surrounding bodies of water while passing through Florida’s sub-tropical and temperate zones and impact the delicate marine ecosystem balance. Man and nature are causing a negative impact to this region like never before. Hurricanes, lack of green initiatives, garbage, pollution and the stripping of natural resources for population growth are decimating Florida’s natural ecosystems.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that florida is one big sand peninsula located below the 40th longitudinal north american line. man-made canals, natural lakes, rivers and estuaries are confined within the state of florida's physical boundaries.
- Explains that hurricanes cause damage and modifications to the land and marine ecosystems in the florida peninsula mainland, florida keys and the oceans surrounding florida.
- Explains that most atlantic hurricanes start out in the north atlantic ocean, which is called the hurricane breeding ground.
- Explains that coral reef bleaching is occurring in many parts of the world due to rising water temperatures. monitoring the health of florida’s coral environments is absolutely necessary.
- Explains that man is decimating the marine ecosystems in florida due to population growth and pollution.
- Explains that florida lacks diverse natural resources. the everglades habitat was stripped of its resources before it became a national park in 1947.
- Explains that coral usage, over fishing, perceived inflated property values, and habitat restoration have pressured florida into experimental resource recovery. artificial reefs were created to help the local marine life.
- Explains that hurricane damage and overuse of resources produce human's garbage, which is a major negative marine ecosystem impact.
- Explains that marine life also feels the effects of the 19,000,000 tons of florida garbage produced each year. many animals, like sea turtles, mistake plastic and styrofoam for jellyfish.
- Explains that sand lacks many of the microorganisms that soil contains to help in the breakdown of garbage. it takes longer for garbage dumps in florida to decompose because garbage is not buried into a soil landfill.
- Explains that there is a direct link between the vultures' un-natural behavior of eating garbage and human's actions of creating garbage.
- Argues that florida should become greener by providing compost buckets for residents personal composting and paid for with the already existing tax dollars for local recycling programs.
- Opines that recycling will pay off, if tallahassee gets onboard.
- Explains the nature of everglades national park, which is a national park. rick farren, "state of the reefs."
- Explains the florida department of environmental protection's waste management division and the national hurricane center.
- States stephens, henry a., "recycling limits may get broader in indian river county." tcpalm.com.
2053 wordsRead More - The Everglades' Ecosystemexplanatory essayThe second point of research is about the landscape of the Everglades and how it
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the area has been turned into a wildlife preserve to help maintain ecosystems.
- Explains that humans change with nature to survive and continue their species (natural features and ecosystems).
- Explains that the everglades became a national park to prevent such changes as well as stop the introduction of exotic plant-life and animals.
- Explains how the settlers cleared out land with massive fires, and redirected the river to suit their crops' needs, causing algae to grow and oxygen levels to drop.
- Explains the landscape of the everglades and how it affects the ecosystem. the land's incline prevents some areas from receiving and maintaining a water level enough to support lush plant life.
- Explains that the everglades became a national park in 1947, in order to preserve the different species that are indigenous to florida.
- Explains that different habitats make it easier for different species of plants and animals to have the environment most suited for their survival.
- Explains that land has dwindled to a mere 1,800 miles due to the development of land that had to take place to suit the needs of the growing population.
- Explains the chain of events that has brought most of the animals in the everglades to a low point in their species count.
- Explains that the everglades national park is dedicated to preventing the species living in it, be they plant or animal, from going extinct. the ecosystem fluctuates due to canals that have been dug to redirect water.
700 wordsRead More - Colonizing Floridaexplanatory essayThe Spanish had great expectations of Florida despite disastrous results from expeditions such as Ponce de Leon and Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon's. In a description of the panhandle region from Hernando de Soto's campaigns, Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo wrote, “The Province of Apalache is very fertile and abundantly provided with much corn, kidney beans, pumpkins, various fruits, much venison, many varieties of birds and excellent fishing near the sea.” Notwithstanding the environmental benefits, the Spanish were ultimately unsuccessful in establishing a plantation economy in Florida. Both the British and the proto-Seminoles achieved greater success in establishing a plantation economy after the failure of the Spanish. Many factors contributed to the success of the proto-Seminoles and British in Florida including increased population, choice of economy, and African presence in Florida.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the spanish had great expectations of florida despite disastrous results from expeditions such as ponce de leon and lucas vazquez de ayllon's.
- Explains that the british were successful in populating florida in the late eighteenth century. florida's exoticism was instrumental in recruiting british settlement in florida.
- Explains that william bartram's manuscript, published in 1791, contained adventurous accounts of his experiences in florida that would seem like science fiction to readers at the time.
- Explains that migration, slave raids, disease, and like factors contributed to a massive depopulation of indian florida.
- Explains that unlike spanish predecessors, british planters in florida sought the help of overseers of successful plantations in south carolina, like alexander skinner, when establishing their own plantation.
- Explains that the proto-seminoles' economy was centered around the deerskin trade, but the instability of this trade and its volatile boom and bust cycles forced diversification of economic efforts.
- Explains that governor grant and other large planters believed enslaved africans were essential to economic success in florida. the british saw the success the plantations in south carolina achieved when using an african slave labor force
- Explains how africans contributed to the plantation economy of the proto-seminoles. after the american revolution, runaway slaves from southern georgia and south carolina settled in seminole communities.
- Argues that the british and seminoles failed in their attempts to establish a plantation economy in florida.
- Cites daniel schafer, "a swamp of an investment," colonial plantations and economy in florida ed. jane landers, and brent weisman.
- Cites william bartram's travels through north, daniel murphree, andrew frank, the florida historical quartley, 84.
1128 wordsRead More - Ecosystem Of The Everglades Ecosystemanalytical essayThis report provides an analysis on one the world’s most unique ecosystems. The Everglades of south Florida is an immense piece of land that is home to thousands of species of animals and plants. The research draws attention to various issues that the Everglades ecosystem is facing by including the areas history and the negative effects that humans are having on it. The ecosystem has experienced many changes since the addition of the canal system in the 20th century. Water quality and flow have been altered to the point in which the Everglades will no longer be the same. Invasive plants and animals also threaten the areas landscape and wildlife, increasing the number of endangered vegetation and creatures. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is attempting to reconstruct the natural flow of water back to the land. This land restoration project is one of the largest ever performed and includes a budget of nearly 3-5 billion dollars. The goal is to restore the Everglades and save it from deteriorating by capturing waters released into the ocean will (while) also minimizing human impacts on the land. Pictures of the alteration of the land are found in the appendix.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the everglades ecosystem, which is home to thousands of species of animals and plants. the u.s. army corps of engineers is attempting to reconstruct the natural flow of water back to the land.
- States that the u.s. army corps claim, "this project is only possible because of the interagency collaboration efforts." major progress has been made in the project.
- Explains that the everglades of south florida was created 5000 years ago as the land began to rise from the ocean near the end of the glacial period.
- Explains that canals disrupt water flow, change water quality, and introduce invasive species to the everglades ecosystem.
- Explains that the everglades have one of the world's most unique ecosystems. the canal system has caused changes to the water flow, quality, and aided in the spread of invasive species.
1371 wordsRead More - Subdivisions and American Agricultureopinion essayTheobald, D.M., Miller, J.R., and N.T. Hobbs. “Estimating the cumulative effects of development on wildlife habitat.” Landscape and Urban Planning 39 (1997): 25-36. 29 March 2007. http://search.ebscohost.com.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the west and midwest are becoming more attractive due to the cheap land that is less populated. subdivisions are moving farther out into the country.
- Analyzes how subdivisions can have profound impacts on rural areas, mainly due to the organization of the subdivision to gain the most housing sites possible.
- Explains the effects of subdivisions on wildlife habitat, including prairie dogs and antelopes, wolves, birds, and bighorn sheep.
- Explains that subdivisions and plots have greatly affected the landscape and environment.
- Explains that subdivisions have destroyed wildlife habitat, affected plant populations and landscape, and created issues related to access, right of way, water rights and liability. this land was once one large ranch, but is now developed into 40 ranchettes.
- Explains that ranches tend to be more stable and do not have such a large impact on the land. to reduce this impact, developed areas should be developed into smaller, spatially disjointed landscape units.
- Describes the negative effects of 5 acre plots on wildlife, plant, and environment.
- Opines that to solve these negative effects, ways need to be discovered to co habitat urban areas with wildlife and decrease the loss of native vegetation.
- Explains that rural and suburban swagger in the u.s. midwest from 1940 to 2000 and its relation to forest fragmentation.
- Explains that theobald, miller, and hobbs estimate the cumulative effects of development on wildlife habitat.
- Explains veech, joseph a., "a comparison of landscapes occupied by increasing and decreasing populations of grassland birds." conservation biology.
1050 wordsRead More - Wetland Restorationexplanatory essayKusler, Jon A. and Mary E. Kentula. Wetland Creation and Restoration. Island Press: Washington, D.C., 1990.
In this essay, the author
- Cites abolone, steve. constructed wetlands and aquatic plant systems for municipal wastewater treatment.
- Explains turner, eugene, and j.m. lee's "backfilling canals as wetland restoration technique in coastal louisiana."
- Explains that the delineation of wetlands for granting permits has proven enormously controversial. wetland restoration and creation proposals must be viewed with great care.
- Opines that protection of wetlands is crucial to state’s economy. hollis, ted, and james bedding.
1185 wordsRead More - Florida Manatee and Sea Turtle Effortsexplanatory essayWithin the state of Florida there are dozens of individualized, non-profit organizations making an effort to help the local wildlife. The local land and marine wildlife includes birds, geckos, frogs, snakes, panthers, manatees, sea turtles, fishes, sharks, corals, lizards and many, many more. Florida State is located on the Southeastern tip of the United States providing a unique opportunity for conservation of salt-water animals. While there are animal conservation efforts taking place all over the world, this essay will focus on two animal species that humans are specifically trying to save in Florida State. The two main animal species of focus are manatees and sea turtles.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that florida state provides a unique opportunity for conservation of salt-water animals. the essay will focus on manatees and sea turtles.
- Explains that manatees, commonly called sea cow, are large aquatic mammals found in warm coastal areas, rivers and warm water springs in the amazon basin, west africa, gulf of mexico, the caribbean sea and the southeastern united states.
- Explains that the florida manatee is in danger of extinction due to surveying obstacles.
- Explains that manatees rely on warm water created by florida's water-cooled power plants to compensate for the water temperature swings seen in recent history.
- Explains that boat injuries are one of the two largest reasons for manatee mortality. boat propellers leave major injuries and even death. fishing equipment can cause amputations.
- Explains how florida wildlife service, save the manatee club, seaworld, and the u.s. fish and wildlife agency take steps to protect the endangered species.
- Explains that sea turtles are in a major population decline due to pollution, harvesting as food, unsafe fishing practices, and habitat loss.
- Explains that sea turtle rescue, loggerhead marine life center and the turtle hospital help rescue and rehabilitate injured sea turtles.
- Explains that the loggerhead marine life center holds a lights-out party every year to raise money to continue supporting sea turtles.
- Explains that the state of florida has a large array of custom license tags that support the conservation efforts taking place within the state.
1410 wordsRead More