Indian River Lagoon

As decades continued to pass by the wetlands change. "People have begun to realize that wetlands are valuable and productive ecosystems that fulfill an essential function for both humans and wildlife. Due to their unique characteristics, wetlands can support a wide diversity of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. They also control floodwaters and protect us from storms and hurricanes. Wetlands also improve water quality by filtering, cleaning and storing water. Lastly, many people rely on wetlands for their livelihood, as they are important centers for hunting, fishing and recreation." Referring to this from "Wetlands and Habitat Loss", we now see how wetlands are valuable and helpful to the ecosystem. The wetlands are known for our water source. Many people depend on the Everglades for a water source. We also use the Everglades for activities. These activities include fishing, recreation, and

Environmental Protection Agency recognizes the Chesapeake Bay as a damaged ecological community in which millions were spent on research in efforts to save and restore this national treasure and few developments have been proven to be successful, “these actions included upgrading sewage treatment plants, controlling urban runoff, controlling manure and fertilizer runoff, reducing soil erosion, issuing stricter discharge permits, and banning the use of phosphorous detergents.” (Atkins & Anderson, 2003). In partnership, the Chesapeake Bay Program has also made progress in restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay. Its efforts include reducing pollution, restoring habitats, managing fisheries, protecting watersheds and fostering stewardship. This program has also set goals in relation to “wetlands, submerged grasses, nutrient reduction, toxins, sustainable development, and citizen involvement.” (Atkins & Anderson, 2003).

The author of American Catch, Paul Greenberg starts us on a journey through america's seafood industry from the early days of abundant seafood to the present condition of our fisheries. America has about 94,000 miles of coast and about 3.5 million miles of rivers, but about 91 percent of our seafood is imported. Here in America 39 percent of citizens call themselves coastal folk, but Greenberg argues we have lost touch with the complex ecosystems of the nation’s shorelines. Estuaries and salt marshes are strange crossroads where salt and freshwater currents meet to be home for oysters, shrimp, and crab. They are also home of dozens of varieties of fish. Greenberg complains about our nation’s destructive relationship with its own shoreline and tells Americans they must desire to “build a bridge back from the plate back to the estuary. This requires us to not just to eat local seafood. It requires the establishment of a working relationship with salt marshes, oyster beds, the natural flow of water from river to sea, and the integrity of the ocean floor.”.

Giving full credit to restricting the Mississippi River as the culprit for loss of wetlands is not accurate. The booming oil and gas exploration of the 1970’s and 1980’s merits a name on the marquee as well. The pipelines and canals used to transport the resources to the outside world placed a great deal of stress on the fragile wetlands. Erosion from the barges in and out of the marshes as well as the salt water allowed into the fresh water, providing a precarious habitat for fresh water species – flora and fauna alike. Plants provide root systems to hold soil in place. Fish and fowl provide an economy for the area. Enter

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. About half of the Bay’s water volume comes from salt water from the Atlantic Ocean. The other half drains into the Bay from its enormous 64,000-square-mile watershed. Estuaries are among the most productive environments on earth, creating more organic matter each year than similarly-sized forests and agricultural areas. Estuaries also provide diverse habitats for wildlife and aquatic life, protect our communities against flooding, reduce pollution of waterways, and support local economies through commercial and recreational activities. Thousands of species

I visited the Newport Back Bay Visitors Center. It is located in the Newport Back Bay for people to visit and learn about the wonderful Back Bay that is only steps from our very own school, CDM. The history of the Back Bay goes back a long time. In the 18th century when the Spanish arrived in California places like the Back Bay were very abundant. However by 1975 less than 10% remained in-between Santa Barbra and Mexico. In 1960 plans were made to make the back bay a large marina with houses right along the water. But in 1967 when a group of citizens founded the Friends of Newport Bay they fought to keep this from happening. It was also founded to help bring attention to the ecological importance of the Bay and to help try and ensure its survival. As a result of the Friends of Newport Bay the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve was founded in 1975. Seven years latter in 1982 more land was added at Big Canyon. Five years later, in 1989 what is now known as Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve was established on the neighboring bluffs after the County of Orange acquired an additional 140 acres. Eleven years after in 2000 the Friends and the Naturalists joined forces to become the Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends. Most recently, in 2010 it was elected to change the name of this organization to the Newport Bay Conservancy, which is the name that stands today. The visitor’s center helps inform people of the intricate Back Bay, how it is being preserved,

The Everglades National Park protects the largest wild life area east of the Mississippi River. The Everglades are the largest remaining sub-tropical wild life area in 48 states sitting on 1.5 million acres preserved at Florida’s tip off shore. The Everglades contain various ecosystems such as rivers, lakes ponds, marshes, etc. These wild life areas feature both fresh and saltwater areas, open prairies, pine rock lands, tropical hardwood forests, offshore coral reefs, and mangrove forests. This paper will summarize how humans contributed to the destruction of the Everglades and how man is working to save the Everglades. Since the Everglades is comprised of both fresh and saltwater areas the vast range of wildlife species in the Everglades include but not limited to reptiles, mammals, aquatic birds, etc. The vast spectrum of wildlife living in the Florida Everglades include but not limited to aquatic animals, mammals, reptiles, etc. Of this vast spectrum of wildlife living in the Florida Everglades there are 56+ species who are either endangered or are in jeopardy of being endangered. The Everglades are home to two National Parks, four National Wildlife Refuges, and one National Marine Sanctuary that bring almost 2 million visitors every year to experience this natural beauty located minutes from Miami Florida. The powerful environmental forces of sun, water, wind, and fire greatly affect the development and lifecycles of these

Maintaining ecological diversity is necessary for the survival of a biological community. In the United States, American citizens are on the verge of irrevocably damaging one of the country's most unique and diverse treasures - the Florida Everglades. This national park is now the only remaining patch of a river that used to span 120 miles from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Bay. Dikes and levees created by the Army Corps of Engineers in the late 1940's drained this river to reduce flooding and increase useable water for the development of the region. This major diversion of water lead to a trickle down effect causing the continual decline of the environmental state of the Everglades. Since then, debates over the

One of the most damaging algae species known to Florida along the south-west coast is the Karenia brevis, also known as Florida red tide. These microscopic algae bloom all year around in the Gulf of Mexico producing brevetoxins, which contains a suite of neurotoxic polyether compound. These blooms can last as long as 18 months fluctuating between insignificant blooms to critical, impacting both the marine ecosystems and humans health (Pierce and Henry, 2008). The Florida red tide will continue to be the cause of unexplained fish and other animal deaths, along with human illnesses unless more research and observations is done to find a way of controlling these algae blooms.

Mike Tidwell wrote this novel with the purpose of informing the readers about the wonderful, often overlooked location that is the Bayou. He wants the public to know that this region is a treasure and holds many unique qualities that so many places in the United States are missing today. Through his journeys he came to love the land and the water. He learned a great deal about shrimping and crabbing, and the way of life on the Cajun coast. While he wrote this book to inform people about the region, he also wrote it to persuade readers to care. He wants people to realize that this territory is becoming extinct. There are many reasons why much of the marshlands are turning to open waters, and he wants to make sure that the readers become curious about them. He wants to pass on his love of the land to those who read about his experiences. He most likely hopes that people will read this book and consider what they can do to help out the cause.

There used to be a thriving area full of lush plants and exotic animals along with many miles of water flowing through central Florida called the Everglades. A lot of water was drained for development and farming, leaving a queer 50% of the wetlands remaining. Many of the beautiful organisms dissipated due to the water purge. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are trying to restore the national park's water system, hopefully bringing back its diverse ecosystem.

I have been interested in marine sciences since I was a child. I grew up in and around the water. Being a resident of South Florida, and an avid boater, I have seen the degradation of the Florida reef system. I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to purchase a house in Key Largo when I was just 6 years old. I quickly got familiar with the surrounding ocean. My favorite place to go diving was a protected reef about 3 miles offshore called Molasses Reef. Since there is no fishing, lobstering, or even anchoring on this reef, the protected area has not changed much since I was a kid. Yet, one can start seeing changing not too far away for this tropical reef oasis. This part of the reef is unprotected and has changed drastically over

In addition, the nutrients from these sources cause harm to the Gulf of Mexico because they cause an increase of algae growth in the area usually known as red tide. The algae releases toxins in the water, killing many of the marine mammal life

Preventive measures attempt to stop blooms from occurring, minimize their incidence or limit their extent. The most effective way to prevent adverse health effects to humans from the red tides is to prevent exposure to the toxins and organisms. Lowering the amount of nutrients that are discharged into local watersheds is a top priority for prevention advocates that engage in red tide debates. Reduced nutrient loads will improve water quality throughout watersheds, in addition to lowering the intensity of terrestrial fluxes when a red tide is in close proximity to the coastline. Reduced loads may or may not lead to a discernible change in red tide patterns, but they will certainly improve the health of local watersheds. An important issue that prevention advocates need to consider, however, is the modalities of reducing nutrient loads and the most appropriate venues for affecting change. The major sources of local water quality impairment includes domestic and industrial wastewater, urban and suburban stormwater, agricultural runoff and hydrological changes. Local water quality problems could be associated with domestic and industrial point sources but stricter regulatory controls and new wastewater treatment technologies have substantially reduced pollution from these sources. Non-point sources now account for most of the water quality problems in the state with urban stormwater and agricultural runoff being the primary concerns. And unlike point source discharges, non-point sources are difficult to measure, monitor and control. In the case of NSP, this means monitoring shellfish beds for organisms and toxins as well as closing shellfish beds to harvest when specified levels are detected. When aerosolized red tide reach specific levels, water and air monitoring can detect high levels in the air, and cause respiratory

One of the finest stylists of modern English literature was Joseph Conrad, a Polish-born English novelist, short story writer, essayist, dramatist, and autobiographer. Conrad was born on December 3rd 1857 in a Russian-ruled Province of Poland. According to Jocelyn Baines, a literary critic, "Conrad was exiled with his parents to northern Russia in 1863 following his parent’s participation in the Polish independence movement". His parents' health rapidly deteriorated in Russia, and after their deaths in 1868, Conrad lived in the homes of relatives, where he was often ill and received inconsistent schooling. Conrad's birth-given name was Jozef Tedor Konrad Valecz Korzeniowski, however, his