The Everlasting Beauty of the Everglades

Why is the Everglades considered to be such a unique area of the country?

1 The Florida Everglades is one of the most diverse areas of the country. Within the Everglades you can find swamps, marshes, grasslands, and dense forests. Hundreds of species of plants and animals make their homes in the Everglades. Some are found in few other places in the world. About 1.5 million acres of the Everglades are National Park land. Within the park, there are more than 350 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles!

2 Scientists believe that the Everglades formed about eight to ten thousand years ago at the end of the last ice age. When the glaciers began to melt, they caused the sea level to rise and turned the low-lying area of the Everglades into swampland. When nearby Lake Okeechobee floods after heavy rains, the water level in the Everglades rises as well.

3 The weather is characterized by hot, wet summers and warm but dry winters. The temperature in the Everglades rarely drops below 60 degrees, and the average rainfall is often more than 50 inches per year. This wet, mild weather is the primary reason that plant and animal life is so abundant there.

4 As prevalent as living creatures appear to be in this lush landscape, the ecosystem of the Everglades must maintain its delicate balance. During the 20th century, canals were built which lowered the level of Lake Okeechobee. The lake overflowed much less frequently, which affected the water levels in the Everglades.

5 People also began looking for ways to farm the land surrounding the Everglades. This required using much of the Everglades’ water supply. In addition, the pollution from fertilizers and pesticides used in farming began to run off into the water.

6 New types of flora were introduced, which also affected the balance of the ecosystem. The tiny seeds of the melaleuca tree were sprinkled from salt shakers into the Everglades from low-flying airplanes because melaleuca trees consume a great deal of water. People hoped that the trees would dry up the land and make the Everglades suitable for development. They also planned to use the trees for timber. The wood turned out to be difficult to harvest, so the trees just continued to grow, crowding out other species that are indigenous to the Everglades.

7 The Everglades National Park was founded in 1947 in an attempt to preserve the land and the plant and animal life. The area was not large enough to make a significant impact, so in 1989, the government expanded the park. In 1996, an act was passed allowing the government to purchase farmland, which could then be returned to natural swampy marshland.

8 These efforts are important because there are so many species to protect within the Everglades. It is the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators coexist. It is also the home of the endangered Florida panther, as well as many other endangered species. Black bears, otters, pelicans, turtles, bats, deer, and manatees all make their home in the Everglades. Without a doubt, the Everglades are worth saving and preserving. Where else in the world can you find such lush diversity?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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Write F before the sentences that are facts. Write O before the sentences that are opinions.

1. _____ The Everglades National Park covers about 1.5 million acres.

2. _____ Melaleuca trees consume a great deal of water.

3. _____ Everyone should visit the Everglades at least once.

4. _____ The Everglades are most beautiful in the summer.

5. _____ The Everglades are the only place in the world where crocodiles and alligators coexist.

6. What is the author trying to persuade the reader of in this passage?

7. Think about what you know about rain forests. Name two ways in which rain forests and the Everglades are similar.

8. About how many species of birds are there in Everglades National Park?

9. Why were melaleuca trees planted in the Everglades?

Circle the word that best completes each sentence.

10. Many people believe it is important to _______________ our nation’s wild places.

destroy investigate preserve

11. It can be difficult to _______________ the balance of an ecosystem.

explain maintain cancel

12. What would you find most interesting about a trip to the everglades?

Spectrum Reading Grade 6

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