The Everglades, a vast subtropical wetland ecosystem, stretches across central and southern Florida. Often called the “River of Grass,” this unique landscape is a mosaic of sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, and mangrove forests. It filters water, controls floods, and sustains a wide array of plant and animal life. The Everglades provides drinking water for millions of Floridians and supports the state’s natural environment and economy.
Understanding the Everglades’ Vulnerability
The Everglades ecosystem faces numerous environmental pressures. Historical human interventions, such as canals and levees, significantly altered the natural sheet flow of water. This disruption led to a reduction of over 70 percent in water flow in some areas, profoundly impacting water delivery and causing habitat degradation and shortages.
Pollution is another threat to the Everglades. Nutrient pollution, primarily phosphorus from agricultural runoff and urban areas, promotes excessive growth of non-native plants like cattails and contributes to harmful algal blooms. These blooms alter native plant communities and disrupt the food web. Elevated mercury levels have also been detected in fish, accumulating in higher trophic levels and affecting birds and other wildlife.
Development and urbanization have encroached upon the Everglades, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation. The ecosystem has been reduced to less than half its original size, and its natural connectivity broken by human infrastructure. This fragmentation isolates wildlife populations and diminishes ecosystem resilience.
Invasive species also challenge native flora and fauna. Non-native species like the Burmese python, often introduced through the pet trade, have established breeding populations and prey on native wildlife. Their predation led to severe declines in mammal populations, with raccoons, opossums, and bobcats experiencing drops of over 87 percent in some areas since 1997. Invasive plants such as melaleuca trees and Brazilian pepper outcompete native vegetation, altering the ecosystem’s structure.
Climate change also poses a significant threat. Rising sea levels contribute to saltwater intrusion into freshwater areas, threatening the ecosystem’s balance and South Florida’s drinking water supplies. Changes in rainfall patterns and increased storm intensity exacerbate existing problems, affecting water availability and increasing ecological disturbances.
Large-Scale Restoration and Conservation Initiatives
Large-scale efforts are underway to restore and protect the Everglades, involving governmental agencies and conservation organizations. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), authorized by Congress in 2000, is one of the world’s largest ecosystem restoration projects. This federal-state partnership aims to restore the quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water. CERP projects encompass building reservoirs, removing certain levees, and restoring wetlands to re-establish natural water flows.
Land acquisition and preservation programs protect the Everglades from further development. Initiatives like the Florida Forever program purchase and conserve environmentally sensitive lands. Conservation easements protect agricultural lands, ensuring they remain undeveloped while contributing to wetland restoration and water quality. These efforts maintain and expand wildlife corridors and habitats.
Water quality improvement projects reduce pollution entering the Everglades. Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) are constructed wetlands that utilize aquatic plants to remove phosphorus from agricultural and urban runoff before water flows into the natural system. The South Florida Water Management District operates approximately 63,000 to 68,000 acres of STAs, effective in reducing phosphorus concentrations by about 80 percent in Everglades-bound water.
Large-scale invasive species management programs control and eradicate non-native plants and animals. Organizations like the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (Everglades CISMA) coordinate efforts across multiple agencies, focusing on research, control, and public education. These programs include trapping and removal for species such as Burmese pythons and targeted treatments for invasive plants like melaleuca and Brazilian pepper.
Collaborative efforts involving federal and state agencies are central to these initiatives. Non-profit conservation organizations also play a significant role, implementing projects, advocating for policies, and raising awareness.
Individual and Community Action for Protection
Protecting the Everglades also depends on individual and community actions. Conserving water at home directly contributes to maintaining appropriate water levels, as much of South Florida’s water supply is connected to the Everglades.
Responsible use of fertilizers and pesticides on lawns and gardens prevents nutrient runoff into waterways. Excess nutrients contribute to water quality problems, so minimizing their use or opting for eco-friendly alternatives supports ecosystem health. Proper disposal of waste and chemicals also prevents contaminants from entering the water system.
Supporting conservation organizations through donations, volunteering, or membership provides resources for restoration, research, and advocacy. These groups often work on land acquisition, habitat restoration, and public education. Staying informed about Everglades issues and communicating concerns to elected officials influences policy decisions that benefit the ecosystem.
When visiting the Everglades, practicing responsible tourism minimizes human impact. This includes staying on marked trails, avoiding wildlife disturbance, and refraining from littering. Choosing eco-certified tour operators who adhere to sustainable practices, such as using quieter engines and maintaining respectful distances from animals, supports conservation.
Never release non-native pets into the wild. Many invasive species, including the Burmese python, have established populations due to intentional or accidental releases.