Everglades National Park–one of the world's great biological wonders_美文

Everglades National Park–one of the world's great biological wonders

Today, some of South Florida’s early wetland areas no longer exist. Populations of wading birds have been reduced by ninety percent. Whole populations of animals are in danger of disappearing. The endangered creatures include the manatee, the Miami blackhead snake, the wood stork and the Florida panther.

In recent years, environmental experts have learned about the damage to the Everglades. Some experts say the balance of nature there has been destroyed.

Twelve years ago, Congress approved a plan to restore and improve the Everglades. Federal, state and other organizations are partners in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Thomas Van Lent is a scientist with The Everglades Foundation, a not-for-profit group. He says the restoration efforts are moving forward. For example, many roads have been removed.

Early in two thousand ten, ground was broken on the Picayune Strand Restoration Project. The goal of the project is to re-establish natural water flow across more than twenty-two thousand hectares of wetland. Workers removed water from that area in the early nineteen sixties. At the time, the goal was to develop the land for homes. However, the development failed, and healthy wetlands were harmed.

Project organizers hope to re-create wetlands in Picayune Strand and nearby lands by redirecting the flow of water in that area. At the same time, they are seeking to re-establish natural water flow to the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife refuge.