11
However, this loss of water has forever changed the natural characteristics of the
once pristine marsh. As the water receded, so did essential habitats of wading birds,
fish, and dozens of animals. Saltwater intruded farther into the marsh from the coastal
ocean and nonpoint-source pollution runoff flowed in from neighboring farms and
cities. Changes in water quality also stifled the growth of native plants, allowing
exotic species to take root and persist. As a result of these alterations continuing for
the past 70 years, the Everglades is currently only half the size it was before the State
of Florida was established (Browder and Ogden 1999; Ogden et al. 2005).
1.2.1 Geology
The Everglades sits on what geologists have named the “Floridian Plateau,” an
expanse of crust that includes the emerging portion of the tectonic platform (i.e. the
Florida Peninsula) and the adjacent continental shelf region (Bryan et al. 2008;
Fig. 1.4 Detailed managerial layout of the area surrounding the Everglades Agricultural Area
(EAA), which includes a vast network of man-made canals, levees, and stormwater treatment structures to maintain water quality and control measures throughout the Everglades ecosystem. Notice
how many different canals, basins, refuges, management areas, water conservation areas (WCA),
stormwater treatment areas (STA), national preserves, and protection areas are needed to properly
regulate one isolated agricultural area in the EAA (Credit: SFWMD)
1 The Florida Everglades: An Overview of Alteration and Restoration
However, this loss of water has forever changed the natural characteristics of the
once pristine marsh. As the water receded, so did essential habitats of wading birds,
fish, and dozens of animals. Saltwater intruded farther into the marsh from the coastal
ocean and nonpoint-source pollution runoff flowed in from neighboring farms and
cities. Changes in water quality also stifled the growth of native plants, allowing
exotic species to take root and persist. As a result of these alterations continuing for
the past 70 years, the Everglades is currently only half the size it was before the State
of Florida was established (Browder and Ogden 1999; Ogden et al. 2005).
1.2.1 Geology
The Everglades sits on what geologists have named the “Floridian Plateau,” an
expanse of crust that includes the emerging portion of the tectonic platform (i.e. the
Florida Peninsula) and the adjacent continental shelf region (Bryan et al. 2008;
Fig. 1.4 Detailed managerial layout of the area surrounding the Everglades Agricultural Area
(EAA), which includes a vast network of man-made canals, levees, and stormwater treatment structures to maintain water quality and control measures throughout the Everglades ecosystem. Notice
how many different canals, basins, refuges, management areas, water conservation areas (WCA),
stormwater treatment areas (STA), national preserves, and protection areas are needed to properly
regulate one isolated agricultural area in the EAA (Credit: SFWMD)
1 The Florida Everglades: An Overview of Alteration and Restoration