The Everglades is a vast wetland system in South Florida, supporting a unique array of plant and animal life. Its distinct characteristics highlight its significance to both the environment and human populations.
A Slow-Moving River of Grass
The Everglades is not a swamp, but a wide, shallow, and slow-moving river. This expansive sheet flow of freshwater originates near Orlando, flows south through Lake Okeechobee, and reaches Florida Bay. The water, often only a few feet deep, moves about 100 feet per day, appearing still while continuously shaping the landscape. This unique hydrological pattern, known as the “River of Grass” due to dominant sawgrass marshes, is essential for maintaining the diverse habitats.
Where Alligators and Crocodiles Meet
The Everglades is the only place on Earth where American alligators and American crocodiles naturally coexist. American alligators primarily inhabit freshwater environments, thriving in the marshes and swamps. In contrast, American crocodiles prefer brackish and saltwater habitats, found in coastal areas, estuaries, and mangrove-lined coves. The unique blend of freshwater, brackish, and saltwater zones within the Everglades allows their ranges to overlap.
A Haven for Endangered Wildlife
The Everglades serves as an important refuge for numerous endangered and threatened species. These include the Florida panther, an endangered big cat, and manatees, which find habitat within its waterways. Various wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill and wood stork, rely on the Everglades for feeding and nesting. The wood stork, once federally endangered, was downlisted to threatened, but its population remains sensitive to water flow changes.
South Florida’s Liquid Heart
The Everglades is the primary source of drinking water for millions across South Florida. Rainfall over the Everglades percolates through porous limestone, recharging the Biscayne Aquifer, the main underground water supply for metropolitan areas like Miami. This natural filtration within the wetlands contributes to water quality. The ecosystem’s health is directly linked to the quantity and purity of this water, making its preservation essential for human well-being.
The World’s Largest Ecosystem Restoration
The Everglades is the site of the world’s largest ecosystem restoration effort, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Historically, extensive drainage for agriculture and urban development significantly degraded the Everglades, reducing its size by half and altering natural water flow. CERP is a multi-billion-dollar federal-state partnership aiming to restore the region’s water resources by re-establishing natural water quantity, quality, timing, and distribution. This ongoing endeavor seeks to revitalize the ecosystem and its functions.