NATURE & MAN

EPA vs Florida

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EvergladesHUB >Nature> Nature

URBANIZATION

WATER

CENSUS'10

Draining of Florida wetlands has now been recognized as a wrong thing. It changed the peninsula ecology and it is endangering its fresh-water supply. Population and urbanization of natural landscapes aggravates the situation.

Land 1,600 miles of canals are draining now the Florida wetlands. The land is being farmed and developed - with dire consequences. This land grab has been changing the sensitive ecosystem and agriculture run-off is polluting waters while soil is being exhausted. Soil exhaustion & subsidence Soil fertilization and BMPs Phosphorus in wetland soils	Waters Flat Florida is surrounded by water - flooding is a constant concern. Despite rich rainy season, dry season water shortages are common. Surface waters become polluted with fertilizers and underground fresh-water aquifer is heavily drawn upon. Salt water pushes inland poisoning wells. Flooding danger Run-off and water pollution Fresh water supply			Atmosphere Dangerous hurricanes regularly threaten Florida localities, its nature as well as its population. The world climate is warming up and we still debate it, not quite understanding the reasons and consquencies of this phenomenon. Strange things happening in the atmosphere - - Hurricanes Climate change Sea level rise		Bio & Zoo The wast wetlands of Florida used to feature abundance of quite unique flora and fauna. Man has been progressively encroaching on this habitat, replacing wetlands with farming and development. Unbalanced ecology and invasion of non-native species is a problem. Ecological balance Nature paved over Invasive species (use Search)	Man-Made Man has been imposing on the surroundings, altering them from early on - more heavily as the population grew and exploded during the past 100 years. Florida landscape has been altered beyond recognition now - draining the Everglades, developing large cities - - Excessive wetland drainage Urbanization & urban sprawl Population increase