Everglades on MyMaps!
At 2,357 square miles, (1,508,537 acres), the Everglades represent the 10th largest National Park in the United States. On the map below, you can see a rough estimate of the perimeter of the park. Although most of the protected area is swampland, the boundary for the Everglades also encompasses a lot of the coastal seas, including coral reefs and mangrove biomes. Most of the Everglades is at or near sea level, with the highest natural point being about 8 feet above sea level. There is one area, a shell mound built by the Calusa Native Americans, that sits on the 20ft mark (pictured). You can see that the City of Miami to the East is a possible threat to the Everglades, because the close border to the National Park prevents expansion, and is a hot spot for human wildlife conflict.
I really appreciated the history you provided on this area. I'm from CT and have family in FL, so I've actually taken a trip into the Everglades. Let me tell you, those Burmese pythons are no joke! I don't think there's a way we'll ever get rid of them either.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tragedy that they have established a breeding population and are such dangerous species, but as a huge snake fan, I enjoy the idea of reptile megafauna on my doorstep! It's insane that they can eat deer once they reach a certain size... watch where you step!
DeleteI recently traveled to Florida with my family. We took a day to tour the Everglades from the coast to coast. We toured on an airboat, a van, by foot and by motorboat. It is an incredible ecosystem and one of great diversity. The changes between different habitats was stunning. A slight change in elevation between the eastern side and the western side brought an entire new ecosystem, the Big Cypress Hardwoods. On our tour it was pointed out that the dikes are being removed to allow the water to flow in a much more natural state. I am interested to see what changes this will bring. You may want to delve into the difference between federally managed lands and the state or privately managed lands. The rangers are very restricted to what can be done on the federal side. If invasive species are sighted they have to follow a mandated procedure. This is not the same on the state managed lands.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more about your project.
Very good to know.. thanks for your comment!
DeleteJoel, I'm glad you decided to focus on the Everglades. It is such a fascinating watershed, but so threatened. I have been on the road through the national park several times ever since I was a child, but when I was in college, I led a 10-day canoe trip the length of the Wilderness Waterway (on the western edge of the park). It was an amazing trip, full of bird sightings. I had no idea, by the way, that the tree islands (hammocks) were migrating southward!
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