While in the everglades the class can observe the vast biodiversity that inhabits the everglades while also observing how some of these animals behave in their natural habitat under or free of the influence of humans. One of the main focuses is to discuss conservation efforts that are taking place in order to try and restore and expand the everglades back to its original state. We will also discuss how human interferance has changed the flow regime and is causing fresh water pollution in the bay systems inn and around the bay systems of the Everglades, along with fresh water pollution. We will also discuss point and non-point source pollution. We may see two endangered species, the American crocodile and the snail kite.
Sites Visited
- Eco Pond- Here we can observe several species of bird, alligators, and several species of fish, both native and introduced.
- Marina on near the gulf- Here is a good spot for seeing the American alligator
- Mohogany Hammok- Here we can hike through a lush jungle of mahogany trees which turns into a lush jungle of other plant life.
- Pay-Hay-Okee Look Out- Here we can see the flow regime in the Everglades and how it is being affected by development. We see this up over the water from a platform and get a very good vantage point due to the look out.
- Pinelands- Here we can walk a loop trail and see several areas that indicate evidence of burns. The class can talk about the possibility of a prescribed burn or this being a cause of a natural event and how this is good or not for the environment.
- Gumbo Limbo Trail- Here we can see the greatest biodiversity of the everglades trip.
Dennis J Taylor and 2006 Marine Ecology Participants
taylordj at hiram.edu
last updated 11 April 2008
Banner Photo by Mathew J. Wilson