We will have five days at sea before reaching Miami. Until then we will continue with our training, maintenance, and watch rotation, and look forward to our days exploring South Florida
The Florida Everglades, located in southern Florida, is one of the largest wetlands in the world. Several hundred years ago, these wetlands were a major part of a 5,184,000 acre watershed that covered almost a third of the entire state of Florida.
The Everglades consist of a shallow sheet of fresh water that rolls slowly over the lowlands and through billions of blades of sawgrass. Sawgrass is a large sedge plant that thrives on water and can be found at river banks in the southern United States, especially in Florida.
Scientists consider Sawgrass to be one of the oldest plant species, and the plant has tough, edged leaves that can weather year-round flooded conditions of the harsher swamps. As water moves through the Everglades, it causes the sawgrass to ripple like green waves; this is why the Everglades received the nickname "River of Grass."
Did You Know? Due to the global significance of Everglades National Park, it has been designated a Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance.
Science Wednesday:
Try
these activities to learn more about this unique ecosystem:
Learn some
interesting facts about the Florida panther’s natural history,
habitat, threats, and conservation.
Design food webs
and food chains for the Everglades
South Florida
habitats contain a
unique collection of plants and animals.
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