Everglades National Park Essay Example

for the park did not occur until after World War II.

President Truman dedicated Everglades National Park on Dec. 6, 1947, in a ceremony at Everglades City, making it the first park established for the specific purpose of safeguarding its biological resources. The park's renowned biodiversity includes an array of wildlife such as wading birds, alligators, and endangered species found across the Americas. The remarkable ecosystem of Everglades National Park is acknowledged globally.

The alligator is the most prevalent creature in the Everglades and can be spotted in every part of the park. It is also America's largest reptile, with males reaching lengths of up to 14 feet and females growing to 8 or 9 feet long. These formidable creatures consume a variety of animals like wading birds, turtles, raccoons, fish (such as the gar), and even certain venomous snakes. The alligator relies on its 400 teeth and rectangular scales that constitute its skin for defense.

The alligator population nearly became extinct due to their sought-after skin, which was used for making purses and boots from the 1880's to the 1960's. However, hunting them for this purpose is now prohibited in the park. Consequently, the alligator population has rebounded and they are no longer classified as endangered species. Nonetheless, concerns persist about their future due to ongoing habitat loss.

The Everglades is a habitat for around 326 bird species, which are a significant part of the area's wildlife. These birds are attracted to the plentiful fish and other food resources found in the water. The most commonly observed avian creatures in the Everglades consist of wading birds such as the great blue heron, anhinga, and great

egret. Nonetheless, there is also a diverse array of other bird species present, including rare ones like the wood stork, tricolor heron, white ibis, pelicans (both white and brown), as well as the purple gallinule or moorhen.

Although the bird population in the Everglades is currently significant, it is far less than what it used to be during John James Audubon's time. Back in 1870, there were about 2 million birds present, but their numbers have steadily declined since the 1930s and 1940s, resulting in a decrease of around 90%. While wading birds have shown signs of recovery after hunting them was made illegal, other factors still endanger their existence. The breeding of these wading birds is greatly hindered by the disruption of water flow to the Everglades and the destruction of their habitat.

The Everglades National Park consists of diverse landforms, abundant vegetation, and multiple lakes and waterways. Contrary to common perception, the Everglades is more than a mere dark green swamp – it encompasses much more. A noteworthy aspect is the sawgrass marsh, also called the "river of grass," which serves as both the core of the Everglades and the biggest one globally. The Everglades goes through two distinct seasons: the wet season, happening from roughly May to October when rainfall varies between 53 to 100 inches.

The second season, known as the dry season, lasts from November to April in the Everglades. However, the flow of water in the sawgrass marsh is not unrestricted due to the presence of approximately 1,400 canals, levees, and spillways. These structures were created to control flooding and supply water to the growing population in South Florida.

In addition to the unique "river of grass," the Everglades also features the Pine Forest, Hardwood Hammocks, Mangrove Swamp, and Coastal Prairie. The forest floors in this region are mostly characterized by rugged, rough, and rocky terrain.

The Pine Forest can be found in the highest areas of the park and is seldom submerged in water. It is home to longleaf pines, southern Florida slash pines, and pond pine. Hardwood Hammocks, on the other hand, exist within the sawgrass marsh but only in areas where the limestone is elevated a few feet above the marsh. This is where hardwood trees such as mahogany, gumbo limbo, and cocoa palm thrive. The hammocks are formed by decaying fallen leaves, creating a dense and dark interior filled with vegetation, resulting in a spongy ground.

The Mangrove Swamp, located near the coast, is where the salt water from the gulfs and Florida's Bay meets the fresh water from Lake Okechobee. It covers approximately 500 square miles within Everglades National Park. The Mangrove Swamp is known for its preference for blackish water, as the roots and trunks of the Mangrove trees trap organic material in the water. On the other hand, the Coastal Prairie, situated just north of Eco Pond in the Flamingo area, consists of meadows and woodlands filled with buttonwood, gumbo limbo, hardwoods, yucca, and rasses.

In conclusion, the importance of Everglades National Park in protecting endangered species and preserving its own ecosystem cannot be overstated. The park serves as an educational resource for studying its geology and ecosystem, ultimately contributing to the preservation of the world's ecosystem. It is our duty to safeguard the animals, landforms, water,

and overall beauty of this natural habitat. We must ensure that the rightful water supply of the Everglades and its inhabitants remains uncompromised.