Everglades

Alligators, Crocodiles, and Panthers - Oh My!

The Everglades is also known as the "River of Grass" because it is a slow-moving, shallow water system. The water that flows through the Everglades comes from Lake Okeechobee and slowly moves southward, creating a unique ecosystem that is dependent on the flow of water. The water in the Everglades is typically only a few inches deep and moves at a rate of about 100 feet per day. This slow-moving water system is essential to the survival of the plant and animal species that call the Everglades home.

The Everglades is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America with 2,000 plant and animal species inhabiting the area.

The Florida Panther

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is an endangered subspecies of the North American cougar and is the state animal of Florida. The Everglades is one of the few remaining habitats for the Florida panther, making it an important part of the ecosystem. The panther is a top predator in the food chain and plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

The Florida panther is listed as critically endangered - only 120 individuals remain in the wild.

Birds of the Everglades

The Everglades is home to a diverse array of bird species, with over 350 species recorded within the region. The unique habitat of the Everglades provides nesting, foraging, and resting grounds for a variety of bird species, including wading birds, shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds.

The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is among the Everglades' most charismatic bird species, named for its distinctive bill that it uses to sift through the water and mud for food.

In a While Crocodile

The American alligator and the American crocodile are both found in the Everglades. This is the only place in the world where these two species coexist. While they may look similar, there are some key differences between them. Alligators are more commonly found in freshwater habitats such as swamps, marshes, and rivers, while crocodiles are more commonly found in brackish or saltwater habitats such as estuaries, mangroves, and coastal areas.

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a relatively large species, with adult males measuring up to 16 feet in length and weighing up to 2,000 pounds.

A Change in Flow

The flow of water in the Everglades is unique because it is a "sheet flow" system, meaning the water spreads out over a broad, shallow expanse, rather than following a defined river channel.

Historically water flow from the Everglades began at its northern edge, where it was fed by the Kissimmee River, into Lake Okeechobee. From there, it flowed southward through the vast sawgrass prairie, eventually reaching the estuaries and the Florida Bay at the southern tip of the Everglades.

Water flow in the Everglades today, however, is a drastically different picture. Over the last century the Everglades has lost over 50% of its historic range. Instead of naturally getting filtered by Florida's wetlands, water that used to fill lake Ockeechobee is now sent out along the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Canals where it gets sent into the sea.

Business owner and Airboat Captain Tim Shwartzman discusses the interconnectivity of the Everglades.

Change in water flow has drastically decreased the amount of freshwater entering Florida Bay having significant impacts on its plant and animal communities - Image courtesy of the Everglades Foundation.

Agriculture

The role of agriculture in the Everglades has been significant since the early 1900s when the drainage of the wetlands made it possible to convert the swampland into farmland. Sugarcane emerged as the primary crop in the 1930s, and it remains an important industry in the region today, along with vegetables and other crops.

Water pollution from agriculture has a drastic impact on the health of the Everglades. Agricultural activities such as irrigation and fertilizer application lead to the discharge of pollutants such as nutrients, pesticides, and sediment into the waterways of the ecosystem.

Water run off laden with phosphorus, nitrogen and pesticides enters a drainage canal - Image by Charles Trainor Jr.

Mercury in the Water

One of the primary sources of mercury in the Everglades is atmospheric deposition, where airborne mercury is deposited onto the surface of the water or surrounding land from industrial and combustion processes. When fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are burned for electricity or transportation, they release mercury into the air as a gas. This mercury can then travel long distances through the atmosphere before eventually depositing onto the ground and water surfaces, including the Everglades, through rainfall and other forms of deposition.

Mercury can also enter waterways by being converted into a highly toxic form called methylmercury. When sulfates from fertilizers enter the water through agricultural run off, certain types of bacteria in the water naturally convert it into methylmercury through a process called methylation.

Seminole Tribe Member Kevin Cuniff discusses mercury in Everglades.

Mercury levels in an ecosystem increase as predators eat their respective prey for survival

Mercury can accumulate in the tissues of fish and other aquatic organisms. When mercury concentrations in fish become too high, they can become sick or die.

As top predators in the food chain, fish such as largemouth bass and snook are particularly susceptible to mercury contamination. As a result, consumption advisories have been issued for certain species of fish caught in the Everglades and other waterways in Florida. In addition to harming fish populations, mercury contamination can also have broader ecosystem impacts, as it can alter food webs and affect the health of other wildlife that depend on aquatic habitats.

A largemouth bass killed by high mercury levels - Photo by Laura Antunez/SFMN

Pollution's Cultural Cost

The Seminole people of Florida rely on the fish and wildlife in the Everglades for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes. Fishing and hunting were once the Seminole's way of life. Severe water pollution has led to a decline in fish populations and made it unsafe to consume fish that are caught.

Seminole Tribe Member Kevin Cuniff discusses the effect of water pollution on the Seminole Tribe

A Seminole Tribe member fishes for Gar using traditional Seminole practices - Photo courtesy of Florida News Press

Saving the Everglades

Efforts to save the Everglades involve a range of strategies, including restoring the natural flow of water, improving water quality, controlling invasive species, and protecting and restoring natural habitats. The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a major initiative aimed at restoring the natural hydrology of the Everglades and improving the quality and quantity of freshwater flowing into the area. Other efforts include implementing best management practices in agriculture to reduce nutrient pollution, undertaking restoration projects to create and enhance wetlands. A coordinated effort between federal, state, and local agencies, as well as private organizations, is needed to ensure the continued health and sustainability of the Everglades.