Around the turn of the 20th century, many systems were put in place that restricted water flow through the Everglades as a way to free more land for agricultural, commercial, and residential use. While such measures were seen as beneficial at the time, the lack of proper water flow through the region has taken its toll on the Everglades’ delicate ecosystem. Now, researchers and conservationists alike are trying to reverse the mistakes of the past.
The Everglades Restoration Plan, which was introduced in 2000, is the largest restoration project in the world to date. Through a number of interconnected projects, the Restoration Plan intends to restore water flow through the Everglades to its historic levels. While the project has seen a number of setbacks through the near decade and a half it has been in place, researchers see that the health of the region is slowly improving as revealed by yearly reports and studies.
The health of each species in the Everglades can directly affect the health of many others. For example, as the number of apple snails in the region took a sharp decline with lower water levels and less flow presence, the population of native snail kites took a hit, as well. Now that water levels have begun to return to their previous status, however, researchers have seen an increase in both populations and better health for the region overall. Biological experts continue to monitor the health of several key species throughout the Everglades to determine the effectiveness of the Restoration Plan and to adjust it accordingly.
On an airboat ride with Wild Florida, you’ll get a firsthand look at the waters of the Everglades and come to understand how important water is for the whole region. Share your love of Florida’s wildlife with friends and family and bring them along when you book your trip! For more information, call Wild Florida at (866) 759-4244 today.
