Introduction & Background Information
The everglades Everglades are a unique and complex ecosystem made up of sloughs, marshes, hardwood hammocks, pine rocklands, sawgrass prairie, and mangroves, that provides an essential biological framework for half of the ecosystem in South Florida. However, the European settlers saw the everglades as a “wasteland” and they began the digging canals for drainage in early 1900s (Lecture note). This caused a silting problem in the area, and many scientists and conservationists started to advocate for the need of conservation of Everglades. Subsequently, in 1947, the Everglades National Park was established in order to protect its unique and enriched ecosystem from dredging and draining by the urban and agricultural development construction. (“History & Culture,” n.d.)
Anhinga Trail is the most popular trail at the Everglades National Park. It a 0.8 mile loop trail located at Royal Palm, where one can see an abundance of animal species in close distance. The trail got its name from a bird species, Anhinga, which nests around the trail. We went on this trail from 12:00 to 13:30, and explored Sawgrass Prairie and Freshwater Slough. The plant species we saw are; Sawgrass, Cattail, Strangler Fig, Morning Glory, Bonnet Lily, Horse Tail, Pickerelweed, Pond Apple, Sable Palmetto, Epiphyte, and Resurrection Fern. The animal species we saw are; Lubber Grasshopper, Boat-tailed Grackle, and some exotic fish species. (“Anhinga Trial,” n.d.).
Three-in-One Hiking Trial is a 0.5 mile loop trail located near the Long Pine Key Lake. It is named for the three ecosystems that visitors can explore; Pine Rockland, Freshwater Marsh, and Hardwood Hammock. One can look for colorful tree snails and
songbirds along the route, however, they should also look out for the uneven bare ground of limestone. From 13:50 to 3:20, we went on this trail and explored Pine Rockland and Hardwood Hammock. Most of us did not go in to the Freshwater Marsh as it was filled with water above the ankle height. The plant species we saw there are; Slash Pine, Sumac Berry, Saw Palmetto, Bracken Fern, Velvet Seed, Poison Tree, Devil Potato, Yellow Top, Hemp Weed, Ruellia, White Star Grass, and Bidens Albaalba. We also saw a great quantity of Periphyton at the edge of the lake. The animal species we saw are; Zebra Heliconian and Moon Snail. (“3-in-1,” n.d.)
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Ecosystem Description
During the trip, we explored the following ecosystems below:
1. Sawgrass Prairie
2. Freshwater Slough
3. Pine Rockland
4. Hardwood Hammock
1. Sawgrass Prairie
Sawgrass Prairie, also known as Sawgrass Marsh, is a wet habitat dominated by herbaceous plant species. The water flows slowly, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere. The average hydroperiod is 10 months, and the water level is high during rainy season and low to zero during dry season. This habitat is not fire resistant and can get stress from extreme water level (too high or too low) . The major plants are sedge species like sawgrass and cattail, and periphyton. The major animals are insects like grasshopper and dragonflies, small fish, turtles, and bird species like Florida snail kite. There are water holes made by alligators, called “alligator holes” under the water, which are essential to the community around the area. (Sawgrass 3013L, n.d.)
2. Freshwater Slough Freshwater Slough is the deepest water habitat in the Everglades. Although it is the
main water flow of the Everglades, the current is slow and moves about 100 feet (30 meters) a day. The landscape is dotted with tree islands and sawgrass marshes. The hydroperiod is 11 months to continuous. During wet season, the water level goes up and the water goes into cypress prairie. During dry season, as anywhere else is dried up, animals gather around the slough for water, creating a peculiar situation where predators and prey live very close to each other. The biodiversity in slough is high, supporting many aquatic plants and fishes. The major plants are periphyton, bonnet lily, pickerel, and pond apple, and air plant species. The
major animals are alligators, turtles, heron, and fish species including multiple exotic ones. (“Ecosystem: Freshwater Slough,” n.d.)
3. Pine Rockland Pine Rockland is the highest and driest habitat in the South Florida ecosystem, and is
a critically endangered ecosystem found only in South Florida and the Bahamas. This is because of the high demand for the high and dry land, which is an ideal place for farm fields and housing. Also, many pine trees were cut down for timber for its dense and strong trunk. Pine Rockland was originally located all around South Florida before the development. However, it is now only located at Everglades National Park, Homestead, Kendall and the FIU Nature Preserve, the total of which is less than 2% of the original area. It is a fire climax community, and a lack of fire for more than 10 years may allow hammock to take over the land. There is no soil on the ground, and the surface is very rocky as limestones are exposed in places. (Lecture note)
Pine Rockland has the most diverse plant diversity in South Florida, including over 400 native species and 31 endemic species. The major plant species are pine tree, palm, fern, grass, and shrub. There is little shade due to extreme open canopy pine trees create. The major animal species are small mammal species, anole, snake, bird species like woodpecker, eagle and hawk, and big mammal species like Florida Panther, Florida Black Bear, and White-tail Deer. (Lecture note)
4. Rockland (Tropical Hardwood) Hammock Rockland Hammock is the climax community, which is the final stage of succession
in South Florida. It is located high on the ground of limestone, which prevents seasonal floods. It has a high humidity from the ground water throughout the year, which stops the fire
at the edge of the system. The soil on limestone surface is thin and is made of fallen leaves and branches. There are some holes on the ground, called “solution holes”, which are the result of acidic rain dissolution of limestone. Solution holes have a type of soil known as “peat,” which is rich in nutrients as it contains decomposed leaves and branches. (Lecture note)
Rockland Hammock is an evergreen broad-leaved forest and has high level of biodiversity richness and evenness. There are over 300 plant species and more than 150 tree/shrub species. Out of those, the major plant species are gumbo limbo, lysiloma tree, strangler fig, grass, fern, and air plant species such as orchid and bromeliad. The major animal species are snails, lizards, snakes, racoons, small birds, and owls. (Lecture note)
Flora and Fauna Pictures
Figure #1: The above photo is of a Sawgrass, Cladium jamaicense (photo by Hamaguchi). Sawgrass is a type of sedge plant with sharp teeth on the ridge, which can give you a cut when in contact. It can grow up to 10ft tall, however, the height depends on the nutrients level in soil. It spreads by rhizomes and spreads rapidly. You can find sawgrass in swamps, marshes, shores of water bodies, glades, and cypress prairie. (“Cladium Jamaicensejamaicense,” n.d. & Professor Koi)
Figure #2: The above photo is of a Pond Apple, Annona glabra (photo by Hamaguchi). Pond apple is a deciduous fruit tree that is hurricane and wind resistant. The fruit is round and green and has sour taste. It is pollinated by beetles and provides nesting place for birds and food sources for small mammals. You can find Pond Apple in swamps and sloughs. (“Annona glabra,” n.d.)
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Figure #3: The above photo is of a Slash Pine, Pinus elliottii var. densa (photo taken by Hamaguchi) Slash pine is a tall evergreen tree that grows 80-100 ft tall on limestone. Although it is slim, it is hurricane and wind resistant due to its dense trunk, and is also tolerant of blackish water. The trees captured in the picture are over 100 years old (Professor. Koi, 2021). You can find Slash Pine in moist places, such as swamp edge and pine rockland. However, it is often planted throughout Florida for timber use. (“Pinus elliottii,” n.d.)
Figure #4: The above photo is of an Saw Palmetto, Serenoa repens (photo taken by Hamaguchi). Saw Palmetto is an evergreen shrub with fan blade leaves and it is typically 3-8 ft tall and 4-6 ft wide. It is hurricane and wind resistant and is high in adaptability. It blooms white flower and has orange seeds. The seeds are used as food by many bird and mammal species and its leaves are used for making hats. You can find Saw Palmetto in broad area; wet/dry flatwoods, scrubby flatwoods, and hardwood hammock. (“Serenoa repens,” n.d.; Professor. Koi, 2021)
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Figure #5: The above photo is of a Beggarticks, Bidens alba (photo taken by Hamaguchi). Beggarticks is a flower plant that grows 1-3 ft tall and 1-3 ft wide on sand. It has small tooth- like-shaped white blooms around yellow pistil and attracts insects, bees and butterflies. Beggartickes can be found throughout Florida. (“Bidens alba,” n.d.)
Figure #6: The above photo is of a Bonnet Lily (Cowlily, Spatterdock), Nuphar advena (photo taken by Hamaguchi). Bonnet Lily is an aquatic plant with yellow flowers, which say closed and does not blossom. It is pollinated by insects like beetles, flies, and bees. You can find Bonnet Lily in marshes, ponds, swamps, rivers, and streams.
Figure #7: The above photo is of a Bracken Fern, Pteridium aquilinum (photo taken by Hamaguchi). Bracken Fern is an evergreen fern that grows 1-4 ft tall that spreads its leaves widely. It grows on limestone and sand and is somewhat resistant to fire. You can find Bracken Fern at dry site throughout the world. (“Pteridium aquilinum,” n.d.)
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Figure #8: The above photo is of an Anhinga, Anhinga anhinga (photo is taken by Peter Kaestner posted on Macaulay Library in 2017). Anhinga is a dark bird with a long neck and a yellow pointy bill that hunt fishes by spearing. It has a blue ring around eyes and white patches on wings. You can find Anhinga in wooded swamps, marshes, and ponds. (“Anhinga: Species profile,” n.d.) Photo link: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/50292081?__hstc=75100365.e737009d519f0bc65ac304e1c 819125f.1633017022614.1633017022614.1633017022614.1&__hssc=75100365.3.16330170 22614&__hsfp=4043529008&_gl=1*czq0s2*_ga*MjQ3NTQ5MTkyLjE2MzMwMTcwMjA .*_ga_QR4NVXZ8BM*MTYzMzAxNzAyMS4xLjEuMTYzMzAxNzM2Mi40MA..
FIgure #9: The above photo is of a Florida Panther, Puma concolor coryi (photo taken by FOTOGUY22 from ISTOCKPHOTO posted on brobible.com). Florida Panther is a puma species that has thin black stripe pattern on light brown coat. It is a critically endangered species with its estimated current population of about 120-130 individuals (from lecture note). You can find Florida Panther in marsh, shrub, swamps, and prairie in South Florida. (“Florida panther: Species profile,” n.d.)
Photo link: https://brobible.com/culture/article/four-florida-panthers-spotted-everglades/
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Figure #10: The above photo is a White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus (photo taken by Reed Bowman posted on University of Florida). White-Tailed Deer is the smallest deer family member in North America whose size is 6-7.75 ft. It has a brown coat and white tail, and male one has sharp antlers that are used to fight for territory. You can find White-Tailed Deer in fields and meadows throughout most of North America. (“White-tailed deer: National Geographic,” n.d.)
Photo link: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW121
Species Profile
(Photo by unknown posted on nps.gov)
https://www.nps.gov/bicy/learn/nature/american-alligators.htm
American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, is a large carnivore reptile and is a member of crocodile family that have been surviving on earth for 200 million years (American Alligator fact sheet, 2021) They are also a rare endangered success story that recovered from population decrease due to market hunting and habitat loss (American Alligator fact sheet, 2021). They grow up to 15 feet and weights 1,000 pounds, and have a long armored body with thick skin, short legs, a muscular tail, eyes that are located on top of its head, and a round snout (“American Alligator,” n.d.). You can find them in slow freshwater sites, such as lakes, swamps, cypress dome, and sloughs. American Alligator is a top predator in ecosystems. By using their strong jaw and sharp teeth, they eat a variety of preys that ranges from small, soft species, such as fishes, birds, and snakes, to big, hard skinned species like turtles and deer (“American Alligator,” n.d.). Fundamentally, they feed on everything they see that are not bigger than themselves (Professor. Koi, 2021).
In the evergladesEverglades, American alligators play important roles as they act as a keystone species and an indicator of restoration by integrating the food webs that are separated in an ecosystem (Brant et al., 2016). They increase the productivity and diversity
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by creating nest and holes in the soil, which generate different levels of topography in the system (Brant et al., 2016). The holes they create are called “alligator holes.” These holes are essential to the ecosystem in Everglades as they provide a water source to other species, such as fishes, wading birds and mammals, during dry seasons when other sites are dried up (Palmer & Mazzotti, 2004). American alligators are extremely essential species that keep the biodiversity high and support the unique ecosystems in the Everglades.
Anthropogenic Effects
Positive Impact Removal of invasive species has given positive impacts to the Everglades. Invasive
species can contribute to species extinction and alter or take over the ecosystems, and its removal is essential to keep the ecosystem healthy. For example, Melaleuca, Melaleuca quinquenervia, is an invasive species that is originally native to Australia and was brought as ornamental to South Florida in the early 1900’s (Lecture note). Due to its capacity of absorbing the water from the ground and its high reproductive performance, it drains the Everglades and transform the sawgrass marshes into dense, altered forests (Lecture note, Center et al., 2011). In order to remove this species, an invasive species reduction program was launched and most Melaleuca on public lands have now been successfully removed by re-engineering hydrology, mechanical removal, and herbicidal control (Center et al., 2011). Thanks to this effort, further related problems, such as habitat loss and extinction are also prevented.
Negative Impact Nutrient pollution has a huge negative impact on the environment as well as on
human health. Nitrogen and phosphorous runouts from farms, fertilizers, sewage, and power plant pollution cause eutrophication. Eutrophication is the process of nutrient over- enrichment and results in blooms of algae, inadequate oxygen supply, and therefore, decline in aquatic animals. Eutrophication has been harming the Everglades due to agricultural and industrial development around the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee for the past decades. Nutrient pollution brings down water quality dramatically, which affects the supply and safety of drinking water because the Everglades provide one third of the water supply to Floridians. It also decreases the wading bird population and increase invasive plant species. Hence, the efforts to reduce the contamination has been taken place, which has resulted in a
successful substantial reduction although a constant effort and regulation is still required. (Orem, 2012)
Tourism also has a negative impact on the environment in the Everglades. Tourism leads to deforestation, overuse of water, CO2 emission from transportation, and alternation of ecosystem. The construction of trails and visitor centers can cause a habitat loss and increase the stress level of animals due to the loud noise during the process. Some tourists can damage animals’ health and alter the ecosystem if they do not follow the rules and feed the animals or take out the plants. Furthermore, littering by tourists causes a threat to wildlife. As I was entering the Three-in-One Trail, there was a patch of littering of plastic bottle and trash from a fast food chain shop. It can damage the ecosystem as the majority of it is not natural; especially, plastic litters have a vast negative influence since its chemical components can damage the health of animals if eaten.
(Photo taken by Hamaguchi)
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Works Cited
3-in-1 Trail. (n.d.). National Park Service. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/places/3-in-1-trail.htm
American Alligator fact sheet. (n.d.). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved October 1, 2021, from https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/American-Alligator-Fact-Sheet.pdf
American Alligator (n.d.). National Graphic. Retrieved October 01, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/american-alligator
Anhinga: Species profile. (n.d.). National Park Service. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/anhinga.htm
Anhinga Trail. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/anhinga-trail.htm
Annona glabra. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Society. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/annona-glabra
Bidens Albaalba. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Society. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/bidens-alba
Brandt, L. A., Beauchamp, J. S., Jeffery, B. M., Cherkiss, M. S., & Mazzotti, F. J. (2016). Fluctuating water depths affect American alligator (alligator mississippiensis) body condition in the Everglades, Florida, USA. Ecological Indicators, 67, 441-450. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.03.003
Center, T. D., Purcell, M. F., Pratt, P. D., Rayamajhi, M. B., Tipping, P. W., Wright, S. A., & Dray, F. A. (2011). Biological control of Melaleuca quinquenervia: An Everglades Invader. BioControl, 57(2), 151-165. doi:10.1007/s10526-011-9390-6
Cladium Jamaicensejamaicense. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Society. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/cladium-jamaicense#
Ecosystems: Freshwater slough. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/freshwaterslough.htm
Florida panther: Species profile. (n.d.). National Park Service. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/floridapanther.htm
History & culture. (n.d.). National Park Service. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/index.htm
Orem, W. H. (2012). Pollutants threaten the Everglades’ future. The American Geosciences Institute. Retrieved October 03, 2021, from https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/pollutants-threaten-everglades-future/
Palmer, M. L., & Mazzotti, F. J. (2004). Structure of everglades alligator holes. Wetlands, 24(1), 115-122. doi:10.1672/0277-5212(2004)024[0115:soeah]2.0.co;2
Pinus elliottii. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Society. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/pinus-elliottii
Pteridium aquilinum. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/pteridium-aquilinum
Sawgrass EVR 3013L. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2021, from https://online.fiu.edu/videos/?vpvid=d8fc4476cf774311b73674fdb4b12278
Serenoa repens. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Species. Retrieved September 29, 2021, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/serenoa-repens
White-tailed deer (n.d.). National Geographic. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/white-tailed-deer
