The Everglades ecosystem in Florida has been significantly damaged since the early 1900s through drainage projects, pollution, and introduction of non-native species. Canals and dams were built to drain the Everglades for agriculture and development, disrupting natural water flows and causing drought, fires, and saltwater intrusion. Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff supports invasive plants and algal blooms. Non-native animal species like pythons and frogs have been released and now prey on native species. Restoration projects aim to restore natural water flows and protect the fragile ecosystem, but continued protection efforts are needed.

1. Destruction of the
Everglades
By: Kennedy Blake and Nicole Vandelinder

2. • The Everglades are located on
more than two million acres in
Florida, originating near Orlando
and following the Kissimmee
River down to Florida Bay at the
southern end of the state
• Everglades is the single-largest
subtropical wetland ecosystem
in the continent and is home to
67 threatened or endangered
species.

3. Like many other bodies of water, for
instance the Great Lakes, the Florida
Everglades were created when vast
amounts of water melted at the End
of the Ice age. Roughly 5-6 thousand
years ago. It thrived until the early
1900s, when rail travel brought
American settlers into the land.
Since then, humans have slowly
been demolishing it limiting the
natural flow of water needed to
support this delicate ecosystem.

4. Since the 1900’s canals and dams
have been built to drain the
everglades in order to make room
for agriculture and homes. This in
turn interrupts the natural flow of
water resulting in animal extinction
and dry vegetation. It is being found
that when we try to release the
right amount of water and take
control we are creating too much
water in the wet areas and not
enough in the dry. With the absence
of summer floods drying up
vegetation it has resulted in fires.
Meanwhile, the reduced flow of
freshwater into Florida Bay, which
normally pushed back the sea
water, suddenly allowed it to invade
the Everglades. This saltwater
intrusion affected drinking water
and put many animals at risk.

5. Nutrient pollution, such as that coming
from agricultural runoff and other
fertilizers, allows for the growth of species
that upset the balance of the ecosystem
such as cattails, harmful algal blooms and
duckweed.
The sulfur in this agricultural fertilizer, through
a complex series of biological and chemical
processes, leads to accumulations of toxic
mercury in fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals,
even in the endangered Florida panther.

6. The introduction of Phosphorus into
the Everglades is slowly ruining the
environment as we know it.
Phosphorus does three major things
to this ecosystem: Increases the size
and amount of macrophytes,
pollutes water, and makes for an
environment that favors Cattails over
Saw grass (Saw grass being native to
the area.) These animals are getting
bigger, but their ecosystem is being
slowly drained of what it used to
be."

7. • Released into the delicate
ecosystem by people who
purchased these animals from the
animal trade. New species are
taking over the already delicate
ecosystem.
• Burmese python is further hurting
the endangered species that live in
the everglades since it feeds on
many animals, even the crocodiles!
• Cuban tree frog is eating native
frogs and displacing them out of
their habitat.
• Purple swap hen is destroying
vegetation and eating native insects.
• Melaleuca tree is displacing other
trees and absorbing very large
amounts of water.

8. Save the Everglades
• Everyone must be held accountable if we
are going to save the Everglades.
Companies who have created this issue
need to be the primary ones to pay in
fixing this issue. This is a very delicate
ecosystem and the proper water flow
needs to be restored.
• Many projects have been started to fix
this issue already and proper continued
planning and dedication of the people
that rely on this water is a necessity.
• Animals cannot be released if they are
not natives. This will only result in
destruction and loss of already
endangered species.
• Programs need to be put into place to
educate people on how they can
contribute to this cause with taxpayers
money.