by Nicole Castilla
Florida’s freshwater ecosystems are a great asset to the sunshine state, and they provide both natural and economic value for us. They are some of the most biodiverse and resilient ecosystems in the world. The Florida Everglades is home to many species of wildlife, while also serving as an eco-tourist destination for millions from across the globe. Each year, millions of people flock to the “River of Grass,” as the late and great conservationist Marjory Stoneman Doughlas named it[1], to immerse themselves in the natural sp of the largest freshwater marsh system in the United States.[2] In 2021, eco-tourism to the Florida wetlands, including the Everglades National Park, brought in over $390 million to Florida’s economy and an estimated 4.8 million visitors.[3]
According to the Everglades Foundation, more than 2,000 species of animals and plants inhabit the greater Everglades ecosystem [4], and unfortunately, several of those species are in danger of becoming endangered or extinct. For example, in 1973, Florida panthers were one of the first animals added to the endangered species list, with only around 20 to 30 left primarily due to hunting.[5] Now, their population has grown but not by a lot. Only around 200 Florida panthers are left in the wild, making them the most endangered big cat in the United States.[6] Since they are a keystone species along with several other indigenous Everglades species such as the American alligator, it is important to conserve their environment and protect its critical resources.
Birds, fish, and several species of mammals call the Everglades home. These animals depend on the wetlands and treetops for survival, therefore making it imperative to maintain the freshwater Everglades ecosystem. Besides providing homes for an abundance of wildlife, the Florida Everglades also has valuable fisheries that provide economic benefits to the state. Over $680 billion was generated toward the state’s economy in just the sixteen surrounding counties of the Everglades ecosystem in 2021.[7] Florida’s fishing industry, valued at $1.2 billion, relies on the endemic fish of the Everglades [8] and about 60% to 90% of commercial fisheries in America rely on wetland ecosystems. [9]
Aside from being a tourist destination for many from across the globe and a source of revenue for the state of Florida, did you know that the freshwater systems in the Everglades actually help combat climate change by serving as natural carbon reservoirs? Carbon emissions are a huge contributing factor to climate change, and bodies of freshwater in Florida actually have the ability to trap carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the wetland. Let’s take a closer look at how freshwater wetlands do their part in the fight against climate change!
Freshwater ecosystems serve as carbon sinks. Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most incredible ecosystems in planet Earth’s environment. One specific region in Florida that does an excellent job of this is the Florida Everglades. A beautiful and vast wetland ecosystem in the southern end of the sunshine state, the Everglades serve as a natural carbon sink and stockpile the accumulated carbon deep in the peat soil beneath the water. [10] According to the Everglades Foundation, the peat soil in the Everglades is comprised of 30% to 45% carbon, which is a huge number,[11] and freshwater wetlands are actually the largest source of carbon storage! [12]
Mangrove forests, which do an amazing job at trapping carbon from the atmosphere, play an important role in sequestering carbon in the Everglades. [13] Mangroves have the ability to trap 3 to 4 times more carbon as compared to other ecosystems such as terrestrial tropical forests[14] The Everglades Foundation even states that the soil actually holds more carbon than that found in the atmosphere, plants and animals combined.[15] In fact, Everglades National Park is home to the largest mangrove forest in North America![16]
Storing carbon in wetland ecosystems can be cost effective.
Storing carbon in freshwater ecosystems can also provide economic benefits to the state. For example, mangrove forests in the Everglades do a fantastic job at sequestering carbon, and they are worth a staggering $2 to $3.4 billion![17] According to the National Science Foundation, that cost is actually small compared to the cost society would have to pay if that carbon was let out into the atmosphere.[18] Although the monetary value seems astronomical, it is actually a cost-effective way to combat the effects of climate change. When carbon is stored in large sinks such as in the Everglades, it helps alleviate the burden of the rising climate that would be placed on the shoulders of civilians.
Freshwater restoration is crucial.
Freshwater wetland restoration projects have the potential to have lasting cooling effects on the climate, lasting 141 to 525 years after they have undergone restoration, proving their resilience. [19] As stewards of the environment, we have a great reason to protect the precious freshwater ecosystems of Florida. These wet wonderlands serve a great purpose for wildlife and humankind. For nature, they are a place where plants thrive, and creatures roam wild. For us, we delight in the great outdoors for recreational purposes such as hiking, camping, and fishing, while also depending on them for eco-tourism and economic flow for the sunshine state.
In conclusion, Florida’s freshwater ecosystems are a critical facet of Florida’s environment. Although they have demonstrated resilience throughout the years, they are fragile and deserve proper care. Want to get your feet wet and join a freshwater restoration project in south Florida? Youth Environmental Alliance offers several opportunities to participate in volunteer restoration projects! Check out our website to see a list of upcoming events and find a restoration opportunity that works for you! https://www.youthenvironmentalalliance.com/events
If you wish to dig even deeper, the Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP), offered through the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension, recently developed a new course focused specifically on freshwater restoration! Through interactive lectures and field trips, including the opportunity to participate in a freshwater restoration project, this course centers on freshwater environments and the initiatives being done to restore them. To learn more about the FMNP and current course offerings, visit https://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/fmnp
[1] The late conservationist Marjory Stoneman Douglas coined the name “River of Grass” for the Florida Everglades.
[2] The Florida Everglades is the largest freshwater marsh system in the United States. https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/wetlandextension/types/marsh.htm#:~:text=Well%2Dknown%20marshes%20:%20The%20Florida,of%20it%20as%20sawgrass%20marshes.
[3] Ecotourism to Florida’s wetlands has brought over 4.8 million tourists and over $390 million to the state. https://www.biscaynetimes.com/viewpoint/everglades-central-to-florida%E2%80%99s-clean-water-economy/#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20more%20than%204.8,$390%20million%20to%20Florida's%20GDP.
[4] More than 2,000 species live in the greater Everglades in Florida. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/everglades-ecology#:~:text=Over%202%2C000%20species%20of%20plants,and%20wood%20stork%20%E2%80%93%20are%20imperiled.
[5] Florida panthers were added to the endangered species list in 1973. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Florida-Panther#:~:text=The%20Florida%20panther%20is%20the,growl%2C%20and%20yowl%20to%20communicate.
[6] There are only around 200 Florida panthers left in the wild. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Florida-Panther#:~:text=The%20Florida%20panther%20is%20the,growl%2C%20and%20yowl%20to%20communicate.
[7] In 2021, over $680 billion was generated into the Florida’s economy from the sixteen counties surrounding the Everglades https://www.biscaynetimes.com/viewpoint/everglades-central-to-florida%E2%80%99s-clean-water-economy/#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20more%20than%204.8,$390%20million%20to%20Florida%27s%20GDP.
[8] According to the National Wildlife Federation, Florida’s fishing industry is valued at $1.2 billion.
[9] According to the National Park Service, 60% to 90% of American commercial fisheries rely on wetlands
[10] The carbon stored in the Everglades is stored in the peat soil beneath the water.
[11] According to the Everglades Foundation, the peat soils in the Everglades contain 30% to 45% of carbon. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/carbon-sinks-in-the-everglades#:~:text=Taking%20Stock%20in%20the%20Everglades,hold%20significant%20stores%20of%20carbon.
[12] Freshwater wetlands are the largest carbon sinks.
[13] According to the Everglades Foundation, mangroves store plenty of carbon in the Everglades. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/superheroes-of-the-seashore#:~:text=Captain%20Climate,functions%2C%20including%20protecting%20Florida's%20coastline.
[14] Mangrove forests sequester 3 to 4 times more carbon than terrestrial tropical forests.
[15] The Everglades Foundation states that the soils hold more carbon than that found in the atmosphere, plants, and animals combined.
[16] Everglades National Park is home to the larget mangrove forest in North America. https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/nature/mangroves.htm#:~:text=Everglades%20National%20Park%20boasts%20the,and%20commercially%20important%20marine%20species.
[17] The mangroves in the Everglades store a significant amount of carbon and are worth more than $2 billion.
[18] The high cost of the mangroves’ carbon storage is low compared to the cost society would have to pay.
[19] Wetland restoration has the potential to cool the climate 141 to 525 years after they have been restored https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724013573#:~:text=Highlights&text=Freshwater%20wetland%20restoration%20is%20an,to%20525%20years%20after%20restoration.
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