The Everglades is in Trouble: Here’s Why
The Everglades is under threat and needs your help. In this video by Odyssey Earth, the host, Richard S. Kern, explains why the “River of Grass” is being threatened by decades of restricting freshwater flow.
We have diverted the natural water flow of Lake Okeechobee to the East and West coasts of Florida causing long-term damage to those coastal estuaries. The coastal ecosystems of Florida are under siege by dangerous algal blooms.
To the south of Lake Okeechobee, the sea water is becoming too salty for its inhabiting environment. To the east and west, the sea water is becoming less salty as the freshwater from the lake is pumped in. This lake water is highly concentrated with nutrient rich sediment causing the right mixture for algae to grow.
WHY IS TOO MUCH ALGAE A BAD THING?
Algae cuts off sunlight to the submerged vegetation below and will eventually kill the aquatic grasses. Grasses are an important food and shelter source to a lot of organisms. Without grasses many organisms such as ducks, fish, crabs and other animals are put in danger.
What’s even worse is when the algae (microscopic floating plants) dies and decomposes. Why is this important? Because the process of decaying needs oxygen. When there is too much decaying algae, aquatic organisms suffocate. You may have seen or heard about the tens of thousands of belly-up fish in Florida – this is why. To top it off, algae not only reduces oxygen levels but it also clogs gills and produces harmful algal toxins. Algae never seemed so dangerous until now.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
Sign the #NowOrNeverglades Declaration. We’ve signed the declaration, so should you. You can learn more and or donate now to the following websites:
Resources:
St. Johns River Water Management District (2016). Understanding Algal Blooms. http://www.sjrwmd.com/algae/
