• The landscape of south Florida (Everglades) was shaped by the extreme climate and drastic sea-level change during the Pleistocene Epoch, also known as the Ice Age. Sea levels were as much as 300 feet lower and as much as 100 feet higher than today. Even though glacial ice never stretched down as far as south Florida, the effects of remote glaciation are indisputable. As the giant glaciers in the north progressed and departed, the Florida peninsula emerged and submerged (sea-levels responded by falling and rising). As the Ice Age came to an end, sea-levels rose, FL. Shrank in size, the climate became much more wet causing habitats to change. 2. Describe and explain the various human impacts on the Everglades. • The Everglades is one of the ecosystems that have been damaged the most due to human activities. The major potential threat to the everglades is still the danger of loss of habitat from urban …show more content…
The term “mangrove” doesn’t refer to a specific taxonomic group of species, but to all plants growing in salty soils, and species of tropical trees. • A slough is a low-lying area of land that channels water through the Everglades. The hydroperiod is approximately eleven months. A slough is an ideal habitat for aquatic plants. Shark River Slough, located in the central and south Everglades and Taylor Slough, located on the east side of the southern Everglades are the two main sloughs within the Everglades. Part 2 The American Alligator is found in the southern U.S. The American Alligator is a carnivore. The American Alligator is the top consumer of the everglades. Because of its high position, it is able to weave in the food web at more than one trophic level, such as secondary, tertiary, and quaternary consumer. They are threatened mainly by habitat loss and confrontation with people. Humans hunt the American Alligator for their skin (leather) and also for their