Everglades Research Paper

The Florida Everglades is the state’s most highly visited park in the state. The Everglades is also home to thousands of animals, reptiles, and plants. Many tourist travels just to get a glimpse of the many exotic reptiles. Although, the Everglades is very beautiful it’s also one of the most endangered parks in the state. The park is endangered from humans and land developments. The state has laws imposed to protect the everglades. In order for people to save and protect the Everglades there are things we have to do on part. Throughout this essay I will go into depth about the different species, human threats, and what we can do to protect one of our states natural wonders. The Florida Everglades formed from the Kissimmee River and Lake Okeechobee, this mass body of swamp lands stretch’s over 11,000 square feet. (U. S Department of, 2011). The Everglades has imbedded itself into our ecosystem, which has formed biological structure for the southern half of the state. Many, of the species depend the on the biological structure that the Everglades provides to the land. Many mammals such as the Florida Panther only found in the state and is classified as endangered species calls the Everglades home. Florida Panther depends on the warm weather and vast land to survive. The Florida Panther continues to be an endangered species because it has been hunted by tourist. Many, other mammals, such as deer’s, rabbits, and fox’s all depend on the biological structure found within the Everglades. The White Tail Deer, one of the most beautiful deer’s and highly favored in classic fairy tales such as Bambe. The White Tail Deer are commonly found in other parts of the world but In Florida the White Tailed Deer is particular smaller than the others found in the country. They are particularly smaller because they don’t have all the extra layers of fat, which other deer’s living in other parts of the country need to protect them from harsh winters. The White Tailed Deer depends on the biological structure for food; the deer’s feed on the saw grass found within the Everglades. The Marsh Rabbit is also found within the Everglades, is the most dominant member of the rabbit family found in Florida. The Marsh Rabbit depends on the biological structure for a couple of reasons. The rabbits depend on the wet marshes and pinelands, over the years they have adapted to the biological structure. The Marsh Rabbits are unlike many other rabbits, since they have adapted so well they have become great swimmers. Many tourists have claimed to see the Marsh Rabbit swimming within the marsh lands. Another, animal that has grown to the divine biological structure of the Everglades is the Gray Fox. The Gray Fox builds their home within the marsh lands, a den semi under the ground. The Gray Fox also is the only fox that can climb trees, this asset puts it above the other fox’s because it gives them a unique hunting ability. The Everglades are filled with hundreds of different mammals but the Everglades is also home to many different reptiles, tourist flock to the Everglades in hopes of catching a glimpse of the American Crocodile. The American Crocodile is one of the most well known reptiles hidden within the depths of the Everglades vast swamp. The American Crocodile is a predator and can be seen with a protective boarder, the crocodile depends heavenly on the biological structure of the Everglades. The swamp land doesn’t only help them prey on other animals but also keeps the crocodile from being prey. The American Crocodile is a huge reptile but it also is prey to hunters and snakes. Snakes are another reptile that rules the swamp lands of the Everglades. In recent reports Anaconda’s have been reported to be in the Everglades and they prey on all animals. Despite the different reptiles found within the swamp of the Everglades, many birds are commonly found within the Everglades. In the 1800’s John Audubon stated, â€Å"The sky was often darkened by the flocks of numerous birds above. (U. S Department of, 2011). Many birds would flock to the Everglades during the winter to escape harsh winters from up north. The Everglades skies aren’t filled with as many birds anymore due to numerous reasons. One of the saddest reasons that many animals and reptiles are losing their homes is because of humans and land development. The beautiful of the Everglades is simply breathing all the creatures and different plant life is a joyous site to witness. The beauty of the Everglades that past generations has witness isn’t the same that the current generations witness. As the years progress we continue to do more harm to our beloved Everglades. We continue to push our animals to relocate and find new homes because we take away their land for our own personal developments. The population continues to increase and that calls for newer and better developments, more and more of the Everglades is being taking away from plants and animals. This land that is being taken away from the plant and animal species is being turned into communities, shopping plazas, and other new buildings. The Everglades once rumored to be 22,000 square feet has over time become no more than 11,000 square feet. This major drop over years and years is a result of land development. The continuation of taking land away from our animal and plant life in the Everglades can result in horrible consequences. Animals will eventually be forced to find homes somewhere else and we will lose valued plant life. The land development has become a problem within the Everglades and we are destroying a treasured park in our state. As much as we are destroying our land, tourists are bringing even more problems to our Everglades. In the year of 2003 many viewers witness all over the world a snake devour a crocodile. Many, people sat shocked and watched the event reply on national news channels repeatedly and many of these viewed wondered how this could be happening in our Everglades. Since the beginning of time some people have loved to have exotic pets and many times with these exotic pets people don’t understand how to tame the animal. In consequence of not being fully aware of how to tame an animal decide to rid themselves of the animal by dumping them into the wild. The Burmese Python has become a favorite pet among many individuals and many of these individuals don’t understand how to tame the python. Many of this pythons has been found in the Everglades and other animals that don’t belong in the Everglades have been found. Animal dumping is increasing and people are using the Everglades as place to dump unwanted pets. The Burmese Python does not belong in the Everglades because it has an increasingly hungry appetite for other animals and the climate in the Everglades is the perfect climate for pythons. The pythons can survive in the Everglades climate and have many different animals to choose from to devour. Some estimates, there are now 150,000 pythons in the park and there is no doubt that pythons pose a grave threat to the fragile Everglades ecosystem. † (Scholastic Scope 2010) All these issues need to be addressed from the dumping of animals to land developments because we are in many ways destroying one of national treasures. There are many groups around the country and state devoted to helping our national parks. Unfortunately these groups can’t save our Everglades by themselves; they need assistance from community and state government. There are many ways to help protect the Everglades; the easiest form is by sending monetary denotations. Monetary donations help fund different projects and groups committed to saving the Everglades. Another, way for an individual to help save the Everglades is through volunteer work, taking time out of their schedule and help clean up the Everglades. Individuals can also write letter and petition our government to do more for our Everglades. The government has a great influence on people, they can do more to help protect the Everglades. Our Everglades is a national treasure and is beautiful park home to many different animals and plant life. The Everglades provide numerous benefits to our ecosystem. Many animals and plants depend on the Everglades and its habitat as a source of life. We as individuals have to protect that way of life for the animals and plants. In process of protecting the everglades for other species, we are also are helping to protect our ecosystem. The different situations in the Everglades can improve but it will take a full effort from parts. Protecting and providing homes for all the different species in the Everglades is very important and very fundamental to our lives.