Everglades
The name of the massive, slow-moving sheet of freshwater that flows south from Lake Okeechobee.
What is the "River of Grass"?
These crucial coastal ecosystems protect Florida's shoreline from erosion and storm damage.
What are mangrove forests?
These unique ecosystems, characterized by well-drained, sandy soils and dominated by scrubby oaks, provide habitat for many of Florida's endemic species.
What are Florida scrubs?
A non-native, invasive species that has become a dangerous apex predator in the Everglades, disrupting the food chain and posing a threat to native wildlife.
What is the Burmese python?
This natural phenomenon involves warm ocean currents increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the water, which damages the health of coral reefs.
What is ocean acidification?
A multi-billion-dollar government initiative to restore the Everglades ecosystem by improving the quality, quantity, and timing of water flows.
What is the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)?
A common water issue in Florida caused by excess nutrients from sources like fertilizers entering bodies of water, which leads to excessive algae growth.
What is eutrophication (or algal blooms)?
This rare, flightless bird, which relies on snails in the Everglades for food, is a key indicator of the health of the entire ecosystem.
What is the Snail Kite?
Florida is home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, located near this famous chain of islands.
What are the Florida Keys?
The primary cause of the historical destruction of the Everglades, which includes the construction of canals, levees, and urban development.
What is water mismanagement?
This marine mammal, a gentle and protected species, is an indicator of the health of Florida's coastal waters.
What is the Florida manatee?