Threats to Biodiversity in the Everglades
The Everglades is a 1.5 million-acre of swampy wetlands that is around 45 minutes from Miami, in the state of Florida. These wetlands along with scores of others have the highest biodiversity compared to any other ecosystem in the world. The wetlands help to keep the environment clean, are a natural nursery for many animals and plants and store energy.
However, most people believe that this swampy mass of land is worthless. And, unfortunately for the Everglades, agriculture and mining are taking their toll. A lot of the Everglades has been lost, but the remaining parts have been designated as the Everglades National Park with the view of protecting them.
The wetlands are also facing invasions from exotic plants and animals. These plants and animals tend to be quite aggressive in nature. The take up essential space and reduce the available food resources for the native plants and animals. Some of the invasive plants are Old World Climbing Fern, Seaside Mahoe, Australian Pine and Latherleaf. Invasive animals found in the Everglades are Bufo toad, Burmese python, Cuban treefrog and Lionfish.
Conservationists and the state government are now trying their best to ensure that the biodiversity of the Everglades is not lost. Efforts are being made to prevent the draining of the wetlands and restore it to its former glory. A lot of this hard work actually started way back in 1934 when people like Ernest Coe forced and convinced the Congress to make parts of the Everglades in to a National Park. Thereafter, it took 13 years for this to actually happen.
On its part, the state government has purchased US Sugar, the largest grower of sugarcane in the area. The sale happened in 2008. This will mean that 187,000 acres of farmland will no longer be used for agriculture and pave way for the land to become part of the wetlands once again. In addition, this will reduce fertilizer runoff into the wetlands.
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