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Florida Everglades are in decline
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by Amy Judd | September 30, 2008 at 01:11 pm
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Alligator Floating - The Florida Everglades - Gator Park Airboat Tour - Miami, FL
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Despite the fact that there was a multibillion dollar effort to restore the Everglades, this famous area of Florida is in decline. There has been a lot of pitfalls due to red tape, disagreements and ignoring of a report that the wetlands are in peril.
The rapid decline could become irreversible if action is not taken quickly.
"The Everglades ecosystem is continuing to decline. It's our estimate that we're losing the battle to save this thing," said William Graf, the report's committee chairman and head of the department of geography at the University of South Carolina at Columbia.
The South Florida Water Management District, which oversees restoration for the state, said in a statement that it agrees with the report's findings "that restoration progress is hampered by limited federal funding and a complex and lengthy federal planning process."
Approved by Congress in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was originally estimated to cost about $7.8 billion and expected to take 30 years to complete - a price tag that has since ballooned due to construction costs and other inflation.
The big benefit would be to restore some natural water flow, as the constant dikes and diversions has actually shrunk the Everglades to half its original size.
More than $2 billion so far has been committed to the project, but is is going to take more money.
Parts of the Everglades are really heavily polluted and wildlife is disappearing at a rapid rate, with at least 67 endangered species facing extinction.
As stated before, the effects could be irreversible.
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at 18:01 on September 30th, 2008
bribchlr25 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 18:02 on September 30th, 2008
Being my first time in the Everglades I dont know what it looked like years ago, but you can tell it has taken some damage and needs serious help.
at 19:01 on September 30th, 2008
Hi, the picture was taken on an area which was devastated by Hurricane Andrew. This particular tree was able to withstand the winds, but around (13 years later) damage was still visible. You may see faces if you look closer. You might call it for an allegory of the park's decline. Water pollution is of particular concern as well.
fvyague has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:11 on September 30th, 2008
İt was a very amazing adventure i enjoyed
very much but also i feel the fear in the narrow humid streets where the crocodiles leaves!
İ suggest everybody to go there, is an incredible experieanse.
in_nioti has contributed a photo to this story.
at 21:52 on September 30th, 2008
EtecMan has contributed a photo to this story.
at 00:45 on October 1st, 2008
This photo was taken in March at the end of the dry season along the Anhingha Trail. This was my third trip to the everglades and the driest I had ever seen it. This very young green-backed heron was looking for a mid-morning meal.
digimax7 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 04:12 on October 1st, 2008
An awe-inspiring natural wonder, worthy of extreme efforts to preserve and protect.
Allen Maestas has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:12 on October 1st, 2008
Taken while walking along the Shark Valley trail inside the Everglades NP.
ccingerslev has contributed a photo to this story.
at 05:21 on October 1st, 2008
Sicco Naets has contributed a photo to this story.
at 11:32 on October 1st, 2008
I remember this day vividly. I was taking a everglades tour on an air boat. I couldn't believe how unafraid the gators were of humans. I didn't take this shot with a telephoto but actually got this close to gator. Amazing animals...living dinosaurs.
chrissy7orion has contributed a photo to this story.
at 15:12 on October 1st, 2008
We in FL, are amazed by the agonizingly slow and possibly the complete collapse of the effort to restore the Everglades. It is a natural wonder that must be preserved for all of us. The photos I have taken are from just a tiny spot in this vast ecosystem. If it is allowed to decline further, it will lose it's ability to support wildlife and eventually to support humans.
DurfeeFL has contributed a photo to this story.
at 17:34 on October 1st, 2008
Old Growth trees are very hard to find.
Abu-Yasmine has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:02 on October 2nd, 2008
The Everglades is a wonderful scenic park. Our air boat tour guide talked about the decline of the wildlife and plant life inside and outside the park. It is so huge that it is hard to believe that it's ecosystem is declining. But you can tell that there is alot of damage through out the park.
m.moses40 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 09:08 on October 3rd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Durring my short trip through the Everglades I had the same thoughts: let us protect and resore this wonderfull place!
at 12:58 on October 7th, 2008
Went for a motorcycle ride through the Everglades during 1st week of June, 2008. Saw the fires burning through 1 area near Big Cypress Preserve Pond along 41.
ABC
Indianapolis, IN
abc0602 has contributed a photo to this story.
at 13:26 on October 7th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
I have been to the everglades. It looks healthy but I know it is not, compared to a generation ago.
at 06:46 on October 13th, 2008
We were first time in Florida last spring. The picture was taken in Everglades City in a strange atmosphere at dusk.
We had a lot of fun in the Everglades and my two boys enjoyed the trip very much. It's a great expierience for kids looking for a special adventure and there is also lot to see and learn for the parents.
flickr_this has contributed a photo to this story.