Florida Everglades Degradation and Restoration Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the formation, degradation, restoration, and Earth sphere interactions of the Florida Everglades based on the lecture materials.

Everglades Formation (Before 1900)

The geological and ecological process occurring over thousands of years where slow-moving water from Lake Okeechobee spread south over flat limestone land, creating a shallow wetland system.

Everglades Degradation (1900s–present)

The disruption of natural water flow and drying of wetlands caused by human drainage canals, urban development (e.g., Miami), and agricultural development (e.g., sugarcane).

Everglades Restoration (2000s–present)

Ecological initiatives aimed at reconnecting natural water flow, modifying or removing drainage canals, and rebuilding habitats using water control gates to improve water quality and wildlife health.

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

A major restoration project dedicated to repairing ecosystem damage by refilling canals, cleaning water, restoring natural water flow, and helping native wildlife recover.

Lake Okeechobee

The lake from which rivers historically carried slow-moving freshwater southward across flat limestone terrain to nourish the Florida Everglades.

Peat Soil

Thick, organic soil in the Everglades that dried out and degraded when deprived of water and exposed to the air.

Nesting Wading Bird Population Drop

A $90\%$ decline in the population of nesting wading birds resulting from the destruction of their natural Everglades habitats.

Canals, Levees, and Pumps Network

Over $1{,}400\,\text{miles}$ of drainage infrastructure constructed across more than a century that diverted water away from the Everglades to the ocean.

Lithosphere (Everglades context)

The Earth sphere comprising land, soil, and rocks that suffered soil erosion and land subsidence due to canal construction and wetland draining.

Hydrosphere (Everglades context)

The Earth sphere comprising water systems that experienced diminished flow volume, degraded water quality, and saltwater intrusion due to drainage canal redirection.

Atmosphere (Everglades context)

The Earth sphere comprising air and climate that was altered when wetland degradation reduced water evaporation and disrupted local cloud and rainfall formation.

Biosphere (Everglades context)

The Earth sphere comprising living organisms that suffered reduced biodiversity and severe losses of native species, including alligators, fish, and wading birds.

Land Subsidence

The sinking and settling of the ground surface caused by the loss, erosion, and drying out of wetland soils following artificial drainage.

Saltwater Intrusion

The movement of saline water into freshwater aquifers and wetlands caused by the reduction and redirection of freshwater flow in the Everglades.

Water Control Gates

Engineered restoration structures installed to regulate, redirect, and reconnect the natural flow of water across the Everglades.