Introduction:
Exploring the Everglades Environment

The world contains many varied environments that each support a wide variety of life. The growth and survival of any living thing is largely dependent on its physical surroundings. You can see examples of how this occurs in one such environment, the Everglades in southern Florida.

The purpose of this activity is to explore how the combination of living and non-living things in the Everglades make it such a unique environment.

Next: My Environment

To prepare you to think about the Everglades, consider the environment where you live. You might be surrounded by trees, swamps, mountains, or desert. If you live in a city, you are probably surrounded by buildings, parks, and paved streets. The climate may be generally dry, wet, cold, or hot. It might also change with the seasons.

How would you describe your environment? Think about its physical factors (such as weather and temperature), living things (such as plants and animals), and habitats (places where plants and animals live). Write down any words that come to mind. You can also print out My Environment Chart (PDF) to help you organize the parts of your environment.

Write your text in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: An Everglades Visit: Watch This!

Now, meet ZOOM guest Tommy. He lives in the Florida Everglades, where it rains a lot. In this video, Tommy shows you what he loves about mucking around in the swamp. As you watch, think about how the Everglades compares with your environment.

Note: You will hear the following words in the video segment. Click on each word to see its definition.

• biome
• subtropical
• biodiversity

After you watch the video, write down any questions that you have about the Everglades environment. Write your text in the box below, then click "save notes" before moving on to the next page.

Next: Did You Know?

Tommy introduced you to some of the amazing varieties of plant and animal life that inhabit the Everglades. He also showed you the dynamic conditions that make the Everglades so unique. Here are some other interesting facts about the Everglades.

• The Everglades today is only half its original size.
• The highest point in the Everglades is only 20 feet above sea level.
• The Everglades is the only place in the world—apart from a zoo—where you'll find alligators and crocodiles living side by side.
• A pair of wood storks, which are large, endangered wading birds, needs more than 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of fish to feed themselves and their young each breeding season (3 to 4 months).
• A shallow sea covered southern Florida about 6 million years ago. Bits of shell and sand settled to form the limestone rock that underlies much of the Everglades.

Next: Try This!

As you saw in the video, many species of plants and animals thrive in the unique conditions of the Everglades. In this activity, you will categorize information about this environment's physical factors, living things, and habitats into a chart similar to the one you filled in about your own environment.

Click "View" on the left to begin the activity. Be sure to print your notes before you exit the activity. Your notes will not be saved.

If you want, you can also watch the video again.

An Everglades Visit

QuickTime Video
Length: 2m 21s

Next: Read and Write About It!

Now you have explored the different parts of the Everglades environment. Next you will have the chance to read more about it and then share your ideas with others.

• Print out your notes. (After you print, your notes will be erased. Make sure you are done before printing.)
  
  
• Print out and read The Florida Everglades (Version A) (PDF) or The Florida Everglades (Version B) (PDF). Check with your teacher if you are not sure which version to use.
• After reading, take a look at your chart and make any changes or add new information.
• Then, select and complete a writing assignment from page 2 of the printout.

Note: The following words will appear in the readings. Click on each word to see its definition.

Version A

• biome
• food web
• predators
• vulnerability

Version B

• biome
• food web
• predators
• terrain
• vulnerability