Restoration ecology is a special field of science, having been first classified in the 1980′s, which has become an integral part of the conservation and restoration efforts in such places as the Florida Everglades. But what is restoration ecology? The official definition of restoration ecology as defined by the Society for Ecological Restoration is the […]
While the Florida Everglades are home to thirty-six federally protected species, none is in more danger of extinction than the Florida panther. A species once prevalent throughout Southern Florida, the Florida panther was once hunted to near extinction, and, during a particularly low point in the 1970′s, there were estimated to be less than twenty […]
Among the 59 national parks located in the United States, the Florida Everglades is perhaps one of the most well known. Everglades National Park was established to protect the southern 20% of what was considered the original Everglades, and today is the largest tropical wilderness located in the United States. Incredibly popular among tourists to […]
If you’ve ever been to the beach or out on a boat in Florida, than you have probably seen your fair share of brown pelicans. Most commonly found around coastlines of the Southern United States, this interesting bird is also quite common in the Everglades. While perhaps best known for annoying fishermen and boatmen, the […]
The Florida Everglades provide a lush and hospitable environment for a variety of plants and animals. While the majority of species found in the Everglades are harmless to humans, there are a few that should be watched out for. Among these are the American alligator, the Burmese python, and the poisonwood tree. While you might […]
It’s certainly easy to confuse frogs and toads – after all, they are both small amphibians with similar appearances that can often be found sharing the same environments. However, there are a few important differences to note that will have you easily identifying each with no trouble at all. Physical Characteristics Frogs are strong jumpers […]
While there are twenty-seven known species of snake that live in the Everglades, fortunately, only four of them are actually venomous: Cottonmouth Also known as the water moccasin, cottonmouths are a type of pit viper found mostly in the Southeastern United States. They are the only semiaquatic viper species in the entire world, and they […]
The ghost orchid, also known by its Latin name of dendrophylax lindenii, is often talked about but rarely seen, and is today considered to be one of the rarest flowers in the United States, if not the entire world. First discovered in 1844, the elusive flower has only been spotted in three places: Cuba, the […]
The roseate spoonbill has long been considered one of the most beautiful birds in the entire world, largely due to its eccentric coloring. Like flamingoes, roseate spoonbills are almost entirely pink, with different shades of varying depths covering most of their bodies. Like the flamingo, roseate spoonbills gets their intense coloring from their diets, which […]
Mangroves are one of the last true natives in Florida, with an estimated 469,000 acres of mangrove forests found throughout the southern coastal areas of Florida. Because they thrive in saltwater and brackish water environments, they have made a comfortable home here since prehistoric times, and today, though there are more than fifty species of […]
