4B+Wetlands+Degradation

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__THE EVERGLADES __ The Everglades region is an example of a classic wetland bionetwork, containing vital plant and animal systems fundamental to the ecosystem of the ever-shrinking wetlands. The biology of the Everglades consists of a flummoxing interrelated web of abiotic and biotic factors. The abiotic factors, among others, consist of sunlight, rain and temperature in the environment while biotic includes the thriving population of American crocodiles, crayfish and herons. These thousands of minute ecological units all interconnect to form the biological wonder that is the Everglades wetlands.

__BIOTIC FACTORS __ Secondary Consumer -- Eats Periphytons Primary Consumer -- Base of the food system. Food for small invertebrates, ducks, turtles and fish Secondary Consumer -- Fish Tertiary Consumer -- Fish and birds Secondary Consumer -- Fish and crayfish Secondary Consumer – snails and other invertebrates Tertiary Consumer – Birds, Invertebrates, fruits and berries, small mammals and reptiles Secondary Consumer – small mammals and reptiles (lizards) Tertiary Consumer – Small rodents Tertiary Consumer – mammals Tertiary Consumer – mammals and other small creatures Decomposer – detritus Primary Consumer- herbivore Secondary Consumer- consists of mice, rats, shrews, squirrel, rabbits. Eat insects, invertebrates, nuts, vegetation. Producer/Plant Producer/Plant Producer/Plant
 * Crayfish **
 * Periphytons **
 * Blue Herons **
 * American Crocodile **
 * Freshwater Otter **
 * Snail Kite **
 * Grey Fox **
 * Snake **
 * Owl **
 * Everglades Panther **
 * Lynx **
 * Fiddler Crab **
 * Box Turtle **
 * Rodents **
 * Pteridophyte **
 * Gymnosperm **
 * Monocotyledon **

__ABIOTIC FACTORS __ Hardwood Hammock: A hardwood hammock is a dense stand of broad-leafed trees that grow on a natural rise of only a few inches in elevation. This is a flood block of sorts, acting as a natural levee. Also makes a natural moat to protect against fires using acids from decaying plant matter. Temperature Average Highs= 80-90 year round Average Lows= 60-70 year round Climate (precipitation, ect) Rarely cold Hot and humid Average rainfall is 60 inches (June-October) Sunlight Duration Approximation Year Round 6 AM – 5:30 Water Depth Maximum depth=17ft Wet Seasons= 50 miles wide __IMPORTANCE OF WETLAND ENVIRONMENTS __ Wetland bionetworks are quintessential to the regulation of water flow in rivers, streams, and other concentrated bodies of water. This is because wetlands act as a natural water filtration plant, filtering pollutants, toxins and a myriad of other harmful materials that would be hazardous in our water. Wetlands also act as flood barriers in floodplain areas, slowing the velocity of the heavy rainfall. When this floodwater slows down they deposit silt into the wetland, preventing fish gill clogging and egg damaging silt for fish. Wetlands are also a vital nursing ground for many important animal species and migratory pit-stops for some migratory birds. If the decreasing wetlands disappear, the results would be devastating to the multi ecosystems that live in the wetlands which would have later repercussions in the rest of the animal kingdom. Also, the water would become more hazardous in some places, fish populations around residual destroyed wetlands would decrease, and floods would be uninterrupted and create more damage.

__THREATS TO THE EVERGLADES __ The main threat to the Everglades ecosystem is the draining of water from surrounding areas that is then used for canals and ditches. 50% of the wetlands surrounding the national park area have been lost to agricultural developments. Invasive species that were introduced to the Everglades are the most damaging to the native species as they take food from them.

__CONSERVATION PLAN__ To save the wetland environment, we must take actions to remedy the three main threats; canals, agricultural developments and invasive species. To cure the excessive ditch making, the government of Florida should protect designated areas of the Everglades and put aside small parcels of land for farmers to use as ditch water. This plan could also act as a double-bladed sword, taking care of the extreme agricultural developments. Invasive species is a different matter. To cure this threat, we must find each invasive species’ main habitat and relocate/exterminate them. Also, they could introduce more of the native predators to eat the non-native creatures.

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