What are the main ways people affect everglades national park?

- Water management: The Everglades is a unique ecosystem that depends on a delicate balance of water levels. Human activities, such as agriculture and development, have disrupted this balance and caused serious problems for the Everglades. For example, the construction of canals and levees has prevented water from flowing naturally into the Everglades, and the draining of wetlands for agriculture has reduced the amount of freshwater available to the ecosystem.

- Pollution: Pollution from sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and industrial activities has also taken a toll on the Everglades. This pollution has caused water quality to decline and has harmed plants and animals. For example, high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff have led to algal blooms, which can block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and animals.

- Invasive species: Invasive species are non-native plants and animals that have been introduced to the Everglades and have become a threat to native species. Invasive species can outcompete native species for food and resources, and they can also transmit diseases to native species. For example, the Burmese python is a non-native snake that has become established in the Everglades and has preyed on native species, such as deer, rabbits, and alligators.

- Climate change: Climate change is also having a major impact on the Everglades. Rising sea levels are causing saltwater to intrude into the freshwater ecosystem of the Everglades, and changes in precipitation patterns are affecting the amount of water available to the ecosystem. For example, more intense hurricanes are causing more damage to the Everglades, and sea levels are rising, which is threatening coastal habitats and wildlife.