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Healthy Land Equals Healthy Water
Southwest Florida Water Management District
Balancing Water Needs … Protecting Water Resources
For grades 6–8
Directions: Circle True or False for each sentence.
True False 1. Ahabitatistheplacewhereananimalorplantlives.
True False 2. Athreatenedspeciesisaplantoranimalthatisnotlikely tobecomeextinct.
True False 3. Estuariesaresomeofthemostproductivehabitatsonearth.
True False 4. Lakesarelargebodiesofsaltwaterthatarenaturalorconstructed.
True False 5. Springsoccurwheregroundwatercomestothesurfaceoftheearth.
True False 6. Floridahasahighlevelofbiodiversity.
True False 7. Wetlandshelpfilteroutpollutants.
True False 8. TheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict’sGreenSwamp WildernessPreserveisnotopentothepublic.
True False 9. PurchasinglandsisonewaytheSouthwestFloridaWater ManagementDistrictprotectswaterresources.
True False 10. Controlledburningisusedtoreduceanimalpopulations.
Page 1
Unit1
Unit2
Unit3
Unit4
Unit5
Unit6
Contents
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Page 4
Page 5
Page 8
Page 10
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District’s Human Resources Bureau Chief, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4702; TDD 1-800-231-6103 (FL only); or email [email protected].
Inordertohaveasafeandadequatesupplyofwaternowandinthefuture,wemustteachourchildrentoberesponsibleusersofFlorida’swaterresources. Thisbookletisdedicatedtohabitatsandlandresources.Protectinglandresourcesisaneffectivetoolinwatermanagementbecauseithelpsmaintainnaturalpatternsofwaterstorageandmovement.Naturalareasareimportantforfloodprotection,highwaterqualityandrechargeofourundergroundaquifers. ThisHabitats — Healthy Land Equals Healthy Water bookletoutlinestherelationshipbetweeneffectivestewardshipofthelandandournaturalwaterresources.Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformationaboutwaterresources,contacttheCommunicationsSectionofthePublicAffairsBureauoftheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictat1-800-423-1476,ext.4757,orvisitourwebsiteatWaterMatters.org.
YouthEducationSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict
Howmuchdoyouknowabouthabitats?Trythefollowingquiztotestyourhabitatknowledge.Thencontinuewiththebooklettolearnmoreaboutprotectingourlandresources.Goodluck!
Unit1
1.Anecosystemisalivingcommunityofplantsandanimalsandtheirrelationshipswiththeenvironmentsurroundingthem. Findexamplesofthingsinnewspapers,magazinesandontheInternetthatyouandyourfamilyneedtoexistinyour community.Forexample,youmightincludearticlesaboutagricultureandfoodproduction,waterresourcesorhousing.
2.Factorsthatdeterminewhereorganismsliveincludesunlight,temperature,foodsupplyandweather.Search newspapers,magazinesandtheInternetforarticles,photosoradvertisementsthatinfluenceyourownenvironment.
3.Florida’swaterhabitatsincludeoceans,lakes,wetlands,rivers,springsandestuaries.Findhabitat-relatedarticlesin newspapers,magazinesandontheInternetandbeginanotebook.Listthedifferentimpactstohabitatsandwater resources.
oucanprobablyrattleoffyourhomeaddressinfiveseconds.Butdoyouknowthe“address”ofthelivingthingsaroundyou?Plantsandanimalsalsohaveanaddress.It’scalledtheirhabitat.Ahabitat,likeyourownhome,isthespecificplacewhereliving organismsfindthethingstheyneedtosurvive,suchasfood,shelter,waterandspace.
Yourecosystem issimilartothetownorcitywhereyoulive.Anecosystemisalivingcommunityofplantsandanimalsandtheirrelationshipswiththeenvironmentaroundthem.Justasyoudependonfarms,groves,grocerystoresandotherbusinessestosupplythethingsyouneed,plantsandanimalsdependontheirenvironmenttosupplythethingstheyneed,suchaswaterandfood.
Onewaytomeettheseneedsistofindahomethatincludessunlight,food,waterandasuitableclimate.
Someanimalsmayhavedifferenthomesatdifferenttimesoftheyear,justlikesomeofusdowhenwegoonvacationorvisitrelatives.Butanimalsdon’tchangeaddressesforfun.Theymove,ormigrate,atdifferenttimesoftheyeartoensuretheirneedsarealwaysmet.Nomatterwheretheylive,animalsmustadapttotheirenvironments.
Youmayhaveadaptedtowhereyoulive.Mostoftheclothesinyourclosetareprobablydesignedforwarmweather,andthethingsyouliketodomaycenteraroundwarmweatherortheoutdoors.Otherlivingthingsalsoadapttotheenvironmentinwhichtheylive.How?Plantsandanimalshavecertainfeaturesthathelpthemgetthefoodandenergytheyneed,protectthemselves,andadapttochangesin
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theirenvironment.Forexample,fishhavefinstomovethroughwaterandgillstogetoxygenfromthewater.
Changestohabitatscanbenaturalorcausedbyhumans.Peoplesometimeschangethelandtomakeitusablefortheirneeds.Theygrowfood,buildhomesandbusinesses,ortakewaterfromtheground,lakesandriversfordrinkingandotherpurposes.Whenthesechangesoccur,plantsandanimalsmaylosetheirhabitatsandbeunabletosurvive.
Floridahasahighlevelofbiological diversityorbiodiversity.Thismeansthatourstatecontainsawidevarietyofplantsandanimals.TenpercentofFlorida’splantsandanimalscanonlybefoundinFlorida.SomeofthereasonsforFlorida’sdiversityare:
• Its location as a peninsula, which allows both plant and animal species to migrate here
• A wet environment • A long geologic past with natural features
ranging from 2,000 to 25 million years
ChangestonaturalhabitatsarecausingFloridatolosesomeplantandanimalspecies.Aspeciesisagroupofplantsoranimalsthataregeneticallysimilarandreproducewitheachother,likehumans. Bothnaturalandhumanchangestohabitatshavecreatedproblemsforsomespecies.Theymaynothaveenoughspaceorfoodtosurvive.Thesespeciesarelabeled“endangered,”“threatened”or“speciesofspecialconcern.”Anendangeredspeciesisaplantoranimalthatisindangerofbecomingextinctwithouthumanprotection.Athreatenedspeciesislikelytobecomeendangeredintheforeseeablefutureunlessconservationactionsaretaken.Aspecies of special concernisaspeciesthatdoesnotclearlyfitintotheendangeredorthreatenedcategories,yetwarrantsspecialattention.Oneoftheprimarycausesofextinctionishabitatloss,oralossof“homes.”
Florida black bear cub
loridahasfiveregionalagenciesresponsibleforprotectingwaterresources.Theseagenciesarecalledwatermanagementdistricts.TheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)isresponsibleforanareathatincludespartorallofthefollowingcounties:
Charlotte,Citrus,DeSoto,Hardee,Hernando,Highlands,Hillsborough,Lake,Levy,Manatee,Marion,Pasco,Pinellas,Polk,SarasotaandSumter.
Thereare14majorrivers,1,800lakesthatare10acresorlargerandoveramillionacresofwetlandswithintheSWFWMD.SouthwestFloridaisshaped,definedand,inmanyways,dependentonwater.Thewaterhabitatsor“addresses”in
southwestFloridaincludeestuaries,lakes,wetlands,riversandsprings.
Undevelopedandagriculturallandareasprovidegroundwaterrechargebyabsorbingrainwater,allowingittoseepundergroundandreplenishtheaquifers.Thesearespongelikeundergroundlayersoflimestoneorrockthatcanholdandreleasewater.Oneofthemosteffectivewaystoprotectwaterresourcesistoprotectandproperlymanagethesetypesoflands.Theselandsstoreexcessrainwaterandfilteroutpollutants. ThefollowingarewaterhabitatsthatexistwithintheSWFWMD: Estuariesarebodiesofwateralongourcoaststhatareformedwhenfreshwaterfrom
riversandstreamsflowsintoandmixeswithsaltwaterfromtheocean.Inestuaries,thefreshriverwaterisblockedfromstreamingintotheopenoceanbyeithersurroundingmainland,peninsulas,barrierislandsorsurroundingsaltmarshes.Thismixingoffreshandsaltwatercreatesaspecialhabitat(orhome)thatbrimswithlifeofallkinds.Theestuarygathersandholdsanabundanceoflife-givingnutrientsfromthelandandtheocean,makingitoneofthemostproductivehabitatsonearth.Anestuaryproducesmorefoodperacrethantherichestfarmland.Estuariescomeinallshapesandsizesandgobymanydifferentnames,oftenknownasbays,lagoons,harbors,inletsorsounds.(Notallwaterbodiesbythosenamesareestuaries.Whatmakesanestuaryisthemixingoffreshandsaltwater.)SomefamiliarexamplesofestuariesincludeSanFranciscoBay,PugetSound,ChesapeakeBay,BostonHarborandTampaBay.ThelargestestuarywithintheSWFWMDisTampaBay,withawatershedthatcovers2,200squaremiles. Animportantfactorforahealthyestuaryistheamountoffreshwaterthatflowsintoit.Thisfreshwaterdeterminesthesalinity,oramountofsalt,intheestuary’swater.TheSWFWMDstudiesestuariestofindouthowmuchfreshwatertheyneedtosurvive.Ifwaterlevelsinlakesandriversdrop,lessfreshwaterflowsintoestuaries.Someanimalsandplantsaresensitivetoevensmallchanges. Estuariesarealsoaffectedwhenalotofpeopleliveincoastalareas.Throughbuilding,transportationandagriculturalneeds,estuariescanbedestroyed.Morethan13millionpeopleliveinFlorida’scoastalcounties.Asourpopulationgrows,itisimportantthatweprotectourestuariesforthebenefitofallwhoenjoyanddependonthem.
Species:FloridasandhillcraneDescription:Longlegged,longneckedgray-brownbirdwithredonthetopofitshead.Habitat:Openlands,marshylakemargins.Usuallynestsintheshallowwateroflakes,pondsandopenmarshes.Status:Threatened,butimprovingProblems:Lossofhabitat
Unit2
Species:ManateeDescription:Alargeaquaticmammal.Theaverageadultisabout10feetlongandweighsabout1,200pounds.Eatsseagrasses.A1,000poundmanateecouldeatfrom100to150poundsofseagrassperday.Becauseitisamammal,themanateemustsurfaceforairabouteverythreetofiveminutes.Habitat:Shallow,slow-movingrivers,estuaries,saltwaterbays,canalsandcoastalareas.Status:EndangeredProblems:Lossoffoodsourceandhumanrecreation.Seagrassesdeclinedbyabout80percentinTampaBaybutarenowincreasingduetotheeffortsofpubliclyfundedprograms.Boatpropellersareathreatwhenmanateessurfaceforair.AlmostallmanateesinFloridahavescarsfromcollisionswithboats.2
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Lakesareinlandbodiesoffreshwater,naturalorconstructed,usuallysurroundedbyland.Thereareapproximately1,800lakes10acresorlargerwithintheSWFWMD.PolkCountyhasthelargestnumberoflakeswithintheSWFWMD,rankingfourthinthestate.
Lakescanbeusedformanypurposes,suchasswimming,boatingandfishing.Manyplantsgrowunderwaterwiththehelpofsunlightthatshinesthroughthewater.Theseplantsarefoodformanyanimalsthatliveinthelake.Lakelevelsmaydropinsomeareaswhentoomuchwateristakenoutofourundergroundwatersupply.Thisaffectstheplantsandanimalsthatlivetherebecausetheymaynothaveenoughspaceorfoodavailabletothem.Lakesalsomaybeaffectedbystormwater runoff,whichisextrarainwaterthatdoesnotsoakintotheground.Stormwaterrunoffcancauseanincreaseinalgaeandthegrowthofbacteria.
Wetlandsarelandsthatarewetall,orpart,oftheyear.Theyliebetweendrylands,oruplands,andwateroraquaticsystems.Wetlandsareeitherfreshwaterorsaltwater.Freshwaterwetlandsincludecypressswamps,hydrichammocks,hardwoodswamps,marshesandwetprairies.Saltwaterwetlandsincludecoastalsaltwatermarshesandforestedwetlandsknownasmangroveswamps.
Eachkindofwetlandsupportsdifferentanimalsandplantsthathaveadaptedtolivinginorclosetowater.Swampsaredominatedbytrees,whilemarshesaredominatedbygrassesandplants.
Wetlandsfilteroutpollutantsorcontaminantsandstoreexcesswatertoprotectusfromfloods.Theyalsoprovidehomesforplantsandanimalsandrecreationalopportunities,andtheysupportthecommercialfishingindustrybyprovidingavaluablehabitatformanykindsoffish.Oneacreofwetlandcanhold300,000gallonsofwater!
Species:MangroveDescription:Atreewithrootsthatgrowinsaltwaterorbrackishwater.White,redorblackvarietiesprovideshelterandnestingareasforbirds,fishandotherlife.Filtersoutpollutantsbeforetheycanentercoastalwaters,protectscoastfromerosionandprovideshabitat.Leavesofmangrovesfallinginwaterprovidethebaseoftheestuarinefoodchain.Habitat:SaltwaterandbrackishwetlandsStatus:ProtectedProblems:Threatenedbyhumandevelopmentincoastalareas.
Peopledidnotalwaysunderstandthevalueofwetlandstoourwaterresourcesandtootherspecies.Wetlandsusedtobecalled“wastelands”andweredrainedtobuildhomesandbusinessesorconvertedtoagriculturalareas.Approximately50percentofFlorida’soriginalwetlandshavebeenaltered—about10millionacres.
Rivers arecreatedfromexcessrainwaterthatflowsofftheland.Wetlandsareoftenclosetoriverbanks.TheSWFWMDhas13majorriverswithinitsregionofresponsibility.
Springsoccurwheregroundwater,orwaterstoredinundergroundaquifers,comestothesurface.Oftentheyaretheheadwatersofariver—whereitstarts.Springsprovidewatertodownstreamriversandlakes.Iftoomuchundergroundwaterisremovedfromtheaquifer,thewateravailableinspringsisreduced,whichmayaffecthabitatsdownstream.
OneimportantspringgroupwithintheSWFWMDisHomosassa.HomosassaSpringsislocated75milesnorthofTampa.Thespringis45feetdeepandpumpsmillionsofgallonsofwaterevery hour!ThisprovidesvaluablefreshwatertomanyhabitatsdownstreamontheHomosassaRiver.
Species:AlligatorDescription: Reptilewithelongated,armored,lizardlikebodyandmuscularflattail.Averageadultsizerangesfrom8.2feetto11.2feetandcanreachaweightofmorethanhalfaton.Incaptivity,alligatorscanlivetobe50yearsold,butinthewildtheyusuallylivetobe30to35yearsold.Habitat:Largeshallowlakes,marshes,ponds,swamps,rivers,creeksandcanalsinfreshandbrackishwaterareas.Status:ListedbystateasaspeciesofspecialconcernandbythefederalgovernmentasthreatenedduetothesimilarityinappearancetotheendangeredAmericancrocodile.Problems:Thealligatorwashuntedforitsskinuntilitwasgivenprotectionasanendangeredspecies.Althoughitisstillprotectedandconsideredathreatenedspecies,yearsofprotectionhavehelpedalligatorpopulations.
1.Writeaparagraphexplainingwhywetlandsaresuchavaluablenaturalresource.Searchnewspapers,magazines ortheInternetforanarticlementioninganotherkindofwaterhabitat.Readthearticleandexplaintotheclasswhy youthinkthishabitatisimportant.
2.Findanarticlethatdiscussesawaterorlandproblemfacingpeopleinyourcommunity.Whatistheproblemandwhy doesitexist?Whatpeopleororganizationsareinvolvedwiththeproblem?Whatisbeingdonetosolvetheproblem? Isthereanythingstandinginthewayofasolution?Writeaneditorialstatingyouropiniononthesubject.
3.LookforanarticlethatdiscussesanyofthewaterhabitatspresentinsouthwestFlorida.Isthereahabitatlikethatnear yourcommunity?Domembersofthecommunityprotectit?Isthereanythingyoucandotoimproveit?
ostofusliveinaneighborhoodorcommunitywithotherfamilies.Youseethematthestore,duringcommunityactivities,oryoumightseeyourneighborsatschool.This“connects”youtothemembersofyourcommunity.Inthesameway,youalsoareconnectedtonaturalsystems,suchastheanimalsorplantsthatexistaroundyou.
Ahabitatislikeapuzzle,madeupofmanydifferentpiecesthatdon’tmakeacompletepictureuntilallthepiecesareintherightplace.Whatarethepiecesinahabitat?Food,water,
shelterandspace.
Doyourememberwhatitfeltlikewhenyoulostapieceofapuzzle?Yourpuzzlejustdidn’tlookthesamewithapiecemissing,and
perhapsyoutookbettercareofyournextpuzzle.YourecognizedtheVALUEOFEVERYPUzzLEPIECE.Inthesameway,itisimportantthateachofusunderstandsthevalueofdifferentkindsofhabitatsandthesmallpuzzlepiecesthatcomposeahabitat,suchaswater,sothatwewillprotectthem.
1. Lookthroughthenewspaperforreportsaboutnaturaldisastersthatalteranaturalenvironment.Startwiththeweather page.Summarizehowpeopleandtheenvironmentwereaffectedbytheseextremeweatherconditions.
2.Ifyouwereascientistinchargeofrestoringhabitatformanatees,whatingredientsmightyouinclude?Rememberthe essentialcomponentsofahabitat:food,water,shelterandspace.Searchnewspapers,magazinesandtheInternetfor articlesandphotographsofmanateestogiveyouideas.
3.Searchnewspapers,magazinesandtheInternetforarticlesaboutdifferenttypesofpollutionorenvironmental problemsandarrangethemincategoriesinyournotebook.Somecategoriesmightbenoise,air,waterandsolidwaste. Howarethecategoriesconnectedtoeachother?Howmightonetypeofpollutionaffectmorethanonenaturalresource?
Habitats and EcosystemsRemembertheterm“ecosystem”fromUnit
1?Anecosystemcanbemadeupofavarietyofhabitats,andaspecies’habitatiswheretheylivewithintheirecosystem.Eachplantoranimalhasaspecificroletoplayintheecosystem,itsecological niche.Thinkofa“niche”asacharacteronaTVshow.Eachcharacterhashis/herownpersonalityandbehavesdifferently,right?
Theecologicalnicheofaspecies,therefore,describesitsbehaviorandincludessuchthingsasfoodrequirements,nestingsites,feedingmethodandotherphysical,chemicalorbiologicalconditionsthatthespeciesneedstosurviveintheecosystem.Forexample,theanhingaisawadingbirdwhoseecologicalnicheincludesitsfood(fish),itsfeedingmethodofswimmingunderwaterandspearingfish,anditsbehavior,suchasspreadingitswingsouttomaintainitsbodytemperature.Anhingasarefoundanywheretherearealligatorsbecausetheyusealligatorholestohuntforfish.
Speciesandtheirrolesinecosystemsshareimportantrelationshipsthatkeepallthepiecestogetherinthelargerecosystempuzzle.Theyareinterdependent. Allrelationshipsbetweenplantandanimalspeciesareinfluencedbythemovementandavailabilityofwater,makingwateroneofthetopfactorsinanecosystem’shealth.
Unit3
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anyofFlorida’sdiverseaquatichabitatsarethreatenedbynaturalandhumanactivities.Naturalimpactstohabitatsincludehurricanes—stormswithwindsofatleast74milesperhourthatnaturallyformoveroceanwaters.Hurricanewindscandamageoraltercoastalhabitatsofpeopleandotherspecies.
Rapidpopulationgrowthisonehumanimpact.Therearemorethan4.7millionpeoplelivingwithintheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD).Also,morethan80millionpeoplevisitFloridaeachyear.Manyplantandanimalspecieshavedrasticallydeclinedorvanishedandwaterresourceshavebeenimpactedbecauseoftheincreasedneedforwaterandlivingspaceforpeople.
Florida’swaterhabitatshavebeenaltered,degradedandbrokenintosmallerpieces.Perhapsthemostsignificantthreatscomefromhabitatalterationanddegradation.Changes,suchasdrainingwetlandsforhumanuse,alterthenaturalflowofwaterandmaylowerundergroundwaterlevels.
Anotheralterationistheinvasionofnon-nativespecies.Exoticspeciesdonotoccurnaturallyinanarea.Theyarebroughtintoanewareabyaccidentorto“improve”upontheexistingsystem.
AnexampleofanexoticspeciesthathasdonedamageinFloridaismelaleuca.ThemelaleucatreewasbroughtfromAustraliatoFloridaintheearly1900s.Itwasbelieveditwoulddryupwetlands.(Remember,atthattime,peopledidnotunderstandthevalueofwetlands.)Thetreegrowsandreproducesrapidly,crowdingoutnaturalFloridatreesandplants.Melaleucaalsosoaksupalotofwater,limitingthewateravailabletonativetreesandplants.
MelaleucaisaproblemonsomeoftheSWFWMDlandsinsoutherncounties.TheSWFWMDaddressestheproblembyuprootingsmalltreesandeitherchoppingdownorcuttingopenlargertrees,whicharethentreatedwithasmallamountofherbicide.Theherbicideisapplieddirectlytothemelaleucatreeso
thatitwillnotcauseharmtosurroundingplantsandanimals.
Citrustreesareanexampleofanoninvasive,nonnativespeciesthathasbeeneconomicallybeneficialtosouthwestFlorida.CitrustreeswereintroducedtoFloridahundredsofyearsagobySpanishexplorers.Today,Floridaproducesmorethan70percentoftheUnitedStatessupplyofcitrus.FloridaissecondonlytoBrazilinglobalorangejuiceproduction.
Thedegradation,ordecline,ofhabitatsisaresultofseveralcausesthatmayincludeoverpumpingofundergroundwater.Overusinggroundwatersuppliesmaydegradesurroundingareas,causingwetlandstodryupandloweringlakelevels.Anothercauseofdegradationispollutionfromstormwaterrunoffandindustrialdischarges.
AsignificantamountofFlorida’snativehabitatshavebeenchangedforhumanuses,suchasgrowingfoodandprovidinghousingforallthestate’sresidents.About50percentofthestate’swetlandshavebeenaltered.
Thebreakingup,orfragmenting,ofhabitatsalsoisamajorthreattoFlorida’snaturalhabitats.Habitatshavebeenseparatedintosmallerpiecesbyroads,fields,housesandotherdevelopment.Therearelowernumbersofsomespecies,suchastheblackbear,becausetheydon’thaveenoughlandareatosurviveandreproduce,orarekilledonroadwayswhentheyattempttotraveltootherareas.
Today,peoplerecognizethevalueofwetlandsandotherlandstowaterresourcesandwildlife.Scientists,governmentaldecision-makers,conservationists,educators,farmers,businesspeopleandindividualslikeyouareworkingtogethertokeepthehabitatpuzzleintact.
New growth and development leads to habitat and water supply losses and pollution.
Unit4
Melaleuca being harvested
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35A
Hillsborough/
Withlacoochee Overflow
Gator HoleSwamp
AshleyBay
DobesHole
Wildcat Swamp
Devils Creek Swam
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Devils Creek
MillsBay
SixteenSection
Pond
12/06
MudLake
BonnetLake
Bayroot Slough
HartHammock
Gator Cr.
Colt Cr.
OrangeLake
TillmanLake
GREEN SWAMP WILDERNESS PRESERVE
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Withlacoochee RiverWithlacoochee R
iver
Grass Creek
Pony Creek
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Uplands
POLK CO.
LAKE CO.
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About the Green SwampTheSouthwestFlorida
WaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)hasmorethan142,000acresoflandunderprotectionwithintheGreenSwampbecauseofitsregionalsignificancetowaterresources.TheGreenSwampisasignificantwetlandareathatcovers870squaremiles.Fourmajorrivers,theHillsborough,Peace,WithlacoocheeandOcklawaha,originateintheGreenSwamp.Itisanimportantareaforgroundwaterrechargebecausetheaquifersareveryclosetothesurfacethere.TheGreenSwampalsoprovidesfloodprotectionandnaturaltreatmentofrunoffwater.
ForinformationaboutrecreationalopportunitiesordirectionstotheSWFWMD’sGreenSwampWildernessPreserve,visitouronlineorderingformatWaterMatters.org/publications forafree“RecreationGuidetoSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictLands.”
heGreenSwampisauniqueenvironmentaltreasure.Itis870
squaremilesofnaturalbeautylocatedinthecenterofFlorida.Acombinationofwetlandsandflatlands,itsitshigherthansurroundinglands—kindoflikethe“queenorkingofthemountain.”ButtheGreenSwampneedsalittlehelptoprotectitself,justlikeakingorqueencan’trunanentirekingdomalone.
That’swhytheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)hasmorethan142,000acresoftheGreenSwampunderprotection,namedtheGreenSwampWildernessPreserve,forthepublic’sbenefit.TheentireGreenSwampisgenerallylocatedinsouthernSumterandLakecounties,easternHernandoandPascocountiesandnorthernPolkCounty(seeinsetmapabove).
YouandI—andallsortsofotherlivingthings—needtheGreenSwamp.Asyoureadearlierinthisbooklet,oneacreofwetlandscanholdabout300,000gallonsofwater.So,oneofthemainreasonsthislandissovaluableisitsnaturalabilitytohelpwithfloodprotectionifthereismajorrainfallorstorms.
TheGreenSwampdiverts“extra”waterthroughtheWithlacoocheeandHillsboroughrivers.TheWithlacoocheeRiverreceivesmostofthewaterthatleavestheGreenSwamp.TheGreenSwampisimportanttothehealthofecosystemsandhabitatsalongtheserivers.
OthervaluablelandcoveriswithintheGreenSwamp.Therearelargeforestedareasthatprovidehabitattospeciessuchasthegophertortoise.Oneofthetortoise’sfavoritehabitatsispineflatwoods.
DoyouknowthebestpartabouttheSWFWMD’sGreenSwampWildernessPreserve?Youcangotheretohavefun.Mostofthepreserveisopentothepublicforhiking,bicycling,camping,canoeingandfishing.Remember,whenyouvisit,takecareofthatlandsoitcancontinuetoprovideimportanthomesforanimalsandplantsandcontinuetoprotectourwaterresources.
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•Medium-sizedturtlewithabroad,muscularheadandarelativelyshorttail.Adultaverages9to11inchesinlengthandweighs8to10pounds.
•DistinguishedfromotherFloridaturtlesbyitslackofwebbedfeet.
•Hatchingofeggstakesplaceinlatesummer.Hatchlingsareyellow-orangeandemergefromtheireggswithashelllengthof1.5to2inches.
•Agophertortoise’sliferevolvesarounditsburrow,whichcanbeupto40feetinlengthand18feetindepth.Thetortoisedigsitsburrowwithitsshovellikefrontlegs.
•Morethan360speciesofanimalshavebeenfoundusinggophertortoiseburrowsinvariousways.Theseincludeburrowingowls,raccoons,opossums,gopherfrogs,spiders,insects,cottonrats,indigosnakes,coachwhipsandrattlesnakes.Severalspeciesthatutilizetheburrowshaveprotectedspeciesdesignations.
•Livefrom40to60yearsandpossiblyaslongas150+years.Nopreciseestimateisavailableduetothedifficultyofaccuratelyagingtortoisesoncetheyhavepassed30–40yearsofage.
•Generallydescribedasaherbivore(ananimalthatfeedschieflyonplants),thebulkoftheirdietconsistsofbroad-leavedgrasses,wiregrassandwildlegumes.Smallamountsofanimalmatter(insectsandcarrion),wildfruitsandberriesarealsoconsumedoccasionally.Theyactivelyfeedduringthewarmerpartsoftheday.
•Apparentlyhaveasocialstructureandcommunicatewitheachotherusingheadbobs,occasionalsoundsandevenramming.
•Gophertortoisenumbersarebeingreducedconsiderablythroughouttheirrangeduetoroadkills,diseaseandlanddevelopment.Somearekilledforfood,whileothersarekilledwhentheirburrowsarefilledwithgasoline,apracticeusedtodriverattlesnakesfromtheirtortoise-burrowshelter.Upperrespiratorytractdiseaseisthreateninggophertortoisestoo.Thisdiseaseisspreadwhenthetortoisesarerelocatedtomakewayfordevelopment.
•Classifiedasa“threatened”speciesinFlorida.
•GophertortoisepopulationsarescatteredthroughoutthecoastalplainofthesoutheasternUnitedStates,withmostbeingfoundinnorth-centralFloridaandsouthernGeorgia.
What is a gopher tortoise’s habitat?Threeconditionsareneededforhealthytortoisepopulations:well-drainedsandysoilsfordiggingburrows;sufficientlow-plantgrowthforfood;andopen,sunnyareasfornesting.Habitatsmayincludelongleafpine-turkeyoaksandhillsandclayhills,liveoakandredoakhammocks,sandpinescrubandpineflatwoods.
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Government ProtectionIn1970,alawwaspassedintheUnited
StatescalledtheNationalEnvironmentalPolicyAct(NEPA).Thisactestablishedtherightofresidentsinthiscountrytoahealthyenvironmentandthegovernment’sresponsibilitytoprotecttheenvironment.Becauseofthislawandotherslikeit,therearemanygovernmentorganizationsworkinghardtoprotectnaturalresources.Theseincludefederal,state,regionalandlocalagencies.
InFlorida,theDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection(DEP)workswithagenciesthroughoutthestatetoprotecthabitats.TheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)isresponsibleforprotectingwaterresourcesandtheirassociatedhabitatsinyourarea.Avarietyoftechniquesareusedtoreachthisgoal.Oneofthesetechniquesislandacquisition,orthepurchaseoflands.
TheSWFWMDpurchaseslandforthepurposesoffloodprotection,waterqualityprotectionandimprovement,watersupply,protectionofrechargeareas,protectionofwetlandsystems(suchasheadwaterswamps
1. Searchnewspapers,magazinesandtheInternetforanarticleabouthowahumanchangedorplanstochangeanarea.Doyouthinktherewillbeanyimpactstowaterresourcesortoplantsandanimals?Whatmighttheybe?Isthereawaytolessenthenegativeimpacts?Aretherepositiveresultsofthechange?Whatarethey?Discusswithyourclasswhetherthepositiveoutcomesoutweighthenegativeimpactsandwhy.
2. Humanschangehabitatstomakeroomforhousingandprovidefoodforthenation’speople.Canyouthinkofwaysthathumansmightbeabletochangelandareaswhileprotectingthehabitatforwaterresources,plantsandanimals?Discussthisideawithclassmates.Combineyourideasintoaclassroomposter.
3. Searchnewspapers,magazinesandtheInternetforarticlesaboutFlorida’sincreasingpopulation.Whyisthispopulationgoodandwhymightitbebad?Summarizeyourthoughts.
Aconceptmapallowsyoutodiagraminformation.Placetheword“wetlands”inthecircleatright.Thenaddeightfactsyoulearnedaboutwetlandstothelinessurroundingthecircle.Compareyourconceptmapwithothers.
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anypeopleandorganizationsareconcernedaboutthelossofaquatichabitatsandareworkingtoprotectthem.Theseincludestate,localandregionalgovernmentagencies,privateorganizations,businesses,citizenandagriculturalgroupsandindividuals.
Unit5
SWFW
MD
Prescribed burn
9
Dav
idHeller
andfloodplains),andrestorationandmanagementofuplands.Othergovernmentagenciesalsopurchaselandsforthebenefitofournaturalresources.
Effectivemanagementoftheselandsisnecessaryforprotectingnaturalecosystems.Landsalsomaybechangedbacktotheirnaturalstateorimprovedsothatnaturalfunctionssuchaswaterflowareworking.
TheSWFWMDrestoreslandsthroughitsSurfaceWaterImprovementandManagementProgram—astateinitiativestartedin1987toimprovethequalityofsurfacewaterbodies—andthroughitsLandResourcesDepartment.Bothdepartmentsuserestorationactivities,suchaschangesinthelanddesignforbetterwaterflow,reintroductionofnativeplantsandanimalspeciesandremovalofexoticspecies.
Besidesrestoration,agenciescarryoutimportantmanagementactivities,suchasprescribedfire.Someplantandanimalcommunitiesdependonfireforthehealthoftheirecosystem.Firecleansawayexcessivebrush,recyclesnutrientstothesoilandstimulatessomeplantstoproducefreshgrowthforwildlifefood.Natural,lightning-causedfirescanburnuntilrainputsthemoutortheyreachanaturalbarrierlikeariver.Becauseofpopulationgrowthanddevelopment,humanshavehadtointervenetostopthesenaturalfires.So,theSWFWMDprescribesfireforcertainsectionsoflandtomaintaingoodwildlifehabitatandtopreventwildfiresfromdestroyinghomes.TheSWFWMDisexploringotherwaysofprotectingthelandtoo.LandprotectionoptionsmightinvolvetheSWFWMDbuyingcertainrightstoprivateland,calledaconservation easement.Thisallowsalandownertoholdtitletolandswhilerestrictingtheuseoftheland,suchasprohibitingdevelopment.Landownersmayalsodonatetheirland.Often,conservationorganizations,suchasTheNatureConservancy,purchaselandsandworkwiththeSWFWMDtomaximizethewaterresourcebenefits.
Private Organizations and BusinessesBusinesses,citizengroups,other
organizationsandfarmershelpprotectourhabitatsinmanyways.Theymightpurchaselandsandkeeptheminanaturalstate,lookforwaystheirbusinessescanlimitimpactstotheenvironment,oreducateothersabouttheirlands.Forexample,farmersandranchersuseefficientwaterconservationsystemsto
savewater,andtheirundevelopedlandsallowrainwatertoseepdownandreplenishtheaquifers.
Privatelandownersareusuallygoodstewardsofthelandbecauseit’sintheirbesteconomicinterest.Farmersandranchersliketosaytheywerethefirstenvironmentalists.Andtheirhelpiscriticaltothesuccessofecosystem management,anapproachtosolvingenvironmentalproblems
Public ownership is one way to preserve and restore Florida’s remaining natural areas, while providing passive recreation for the public.
thatlooksathowtheentirenaturalsystemworks.Thisisimportantbecausetherearethousands
ofacresofcriticalhabitatthatarenotundergovernmentmanagement,andthere’snotenoughmoneytobuyormanagealltheimportantlands.TheSWFWMDencouragesprivatelandownerstopursuecooperativeeffortswiththegovernmenttoprotectcriticalhabitatsandtoestablishgreenwaycorridors(linearopenspacesconnectingrecreational,culturalandnaturalareas).Individuals
Perhapsoneofthemostimportantpartsofgoodhabitatmanagementistheinvolvementofindividualsinhabitatprotection.Manypeoplemaynotbeawareoftheimportanceofnaturalresourcestotheireverydayneeds.WaterisaresourcethatweneedEVERYDAYforourhealth,well-beingandforrecreation.Individualsneedtoknowaboutproblemswithhabitatssotheymaymakeeducatedchoiceseveryday.EVERYONEmustshareintheresponsibilityformanagingourecosystem.Thenextunitwilladdresssomethingcalled“stewardship.”Stewardshipcanbedefinedasasenseofownershipin,andresponsibilityfor,Florida’slandsandassociatednaturalresources.
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neofthemostimportantgoalsofFlorida’shabitatprotectioneffortsistoensureFloridianshaveasenseofsharedresponsibility,orstewardship, forournaturalresources.Whatdoesthismean?ItmeansthateachofusneedstoacceptourconnectiontoalargercommunityoflivingthingsthatmaketheirhomesinsouthwestFlorida.Weareinterdependentwiththenaturalworldaroundus.Eachofushasaresponsibilitytothe
environment.Wemustallshareinthecostsforhabitatandwaterresourcesprotection.Wemustworktoprotectournaturalresourcesforourlong-termhealthandsurvival.Helpingindividualstakeactionandmakewisechoices
1.JohnMuirworkedhardfortheprotectionoftheenvironment.HefoundedtheSierraClub,anationalconservationorganization.Findanarticlethatdemonstrateshisphilosophythateverythingintheworldisinterconnected.Howdoesonedecisionorchangeresultinotherchanges?
2.TheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictwantsyou,yourfamilyandyourschooltobegoodmembersoftheenvironmentalcommunity.Brainstormwithyourclassandmakealistofideastohelppreservewaterhabitats.Makeaclassprojectoutofoneoftheideas.Writeusandletusknowwhatyoudid.
3.Makealistofideaswithyourfamilyofthingsyoucandoindoorsandoutdoorstoconservewaterresources andnaturalhabitats.Makeafamilyprojectoutofoneofyourideas—butdon’tforgettodosomethingevery daytohelpprotectyourwaterresources.
everydaywillpreventproblemsthatwouldotherwiserequiredifficultandcostlysolutions.Itismuchmorecomplicatedandexpensivetolookfornewwatersourcesthanitisforeachofustoprotectwateranduseitwiselyeveryday.Inordertobeagoodmemberofyour
community,youshouldbecomeinformed,getinvolvedandactresponsibly.Youcangainabetterunderstandingoftheenvironmentandenvironmentalissuesbyreadingthenewspaper,booksandmagazines;goingtonaturecenters;andvolunteeringtoworkwithlocalconservationandenvironmentalorganizations.Onceyouhavethisnewknowledge,youneedtouseit!Onthenextpagearesomehelpfulhabitat
hints.Sharethemwithyourfamily,friendsandneighborssothateachofyouwilllearnhowtobeagoodmemberofyourenvironmentalcommunity.
“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.”— naturalist John Muir
Unit6
SierraClub
1.Manygovernmentagencies,privateorganizationsandbusinessesareworkinghardtoprotectaquatichabitats.Seehow manyofthesegroupsoragenciesyoucanfindinanewspaperormagazine.Whataretheydoingtoprotectwater resourcesandthestate’snaturalecosystems?
2. RestorationofFlorida’snaturalareasisimportanttoprotectwaterresources.Seeifyoucanfindanarticleabout somethingthatwasrestored.Whatwastheitem?Whyisitvaluableorworthrestoring?Isitessentialtohumanhealth? Whatmighthavehappenedifitwasnotrestored?
3.Oneofthemostimportantpartsofhabitatmanagementistheeverydayinvolvementofindividuals.Makealistofthe manydifferentusesofwater.Markthewaysyouusewater.Listwaysyoucanconserveandprotectwaterresourceswhen youareusingwaterindifferentways.Shareyourideaswithyourclass.
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Whatcanyoudotohelpprotecthabitats?Understandtheconnectionsbetweenyouandtheenvironmentandact!Trysomeofthehintslistedbelow.Habitatsneedusfortheirsurvivalandweneedthemtoprotectourfreshwaterresources.
Across clues: 1.Anendangeredmammalthatlivesinestuaries 2.Thishappenstosoilwhenithasnoplantsortreestoholdit 3.Typeoftreethatgrowsinsaltwaterwetlands 4.Aspeciesthatisdecreasingrapidlyandfacingextinction 5.Caringfortheenvironmentmeansmakinggood_________ 6.Borderbetweenfreshwaterandsaltwatersystems 7.Waterneedsnaturallandareasto_________intotheground 8.Abodyoffreshwater 9.Habitatsthatarenearorinwater 10.Landthatiswetallormostoftheyear
Down clues: 11.Anotherwordforananimal’shabitat 12.Anothernameforpollution 13.Atypeofwetlandwithgrasslikeplants 14.Whatpeopleusedtocallawetland 15.Anaturalresourceessentialtoalllivingorganisms 16.Watersoakingintothegroundwillhelp_________theaquifer 17.Alongperiodoflittleornorain 18.Wheregroundwatercomestothesurface 19.Aspecies’roleintheirecosystem
1. Keepitnatural!Ifyourfamilyownsalargepieceofland,askthemifyoucanleaveitnaturaltoprovidewildlifehabitatandgroundwaterrecharge.
2.Plantit!Usewater-conservingplantsoutsideyourhomethatprovidefoodandnestingspacefornativewildlife.
3. Ifit’sdead,leaveit!Deadordyingtreesprovidevaluablehabitattomanyanimals.
4. Protecttheshore!Ifyoulivenearawaterbody,leavetheshorelinenaturaltocontrolerosionanddecreasetheneedforchemicalsthatmayharmwaterqualityandtheresidentspecies.
5.Giveupsometime!Findoutaboutlocalparksorgroupsthatneedvolunteerstohelpprotectnaturallandsandwildlife.
6.Putitinthetrash!Don’tthrowgarbagewhereitdoesn’tbelong.Iteventuallygetsintowaterbodiesorattractswildlifetodangerousroads.
7.Conserveresources!Takingcaretousenaturalresources,suchaswater,responsiblyandcarefullywillprotectthemandimprovehabitats.
8.Shareit!Don’tkeepallyournewknowledgetoyourself—shareitwithyourfriends,familyandneighbors.
9. Makeapact!GettogetherwithyourfriendsandcommittodoingsomethingEVERYDAYtoprotectourwaterresources.
10.Protectnaturalareas!Takeonlypicturesandleaveonlyfootprintswhenyouvisitanaturalpark.
For additional reading materials, go to your local library or bookstore or call any
of the organizations from the resources list on the following page. You can also
order free publications from the Southwest Florida Water Management District
online at WaterMatters.org/publications/.
The Nature ConservancyFloridaFieldOffice222SouthWestmonteDrive,Suite300AltamonteSprings,FL32714(407)682-3664Website:nature.org
Sarasota Bay National Estuary Program111SouthOrangeAvenue,Suite200W.Sarasota,FL34236(941)955-8085Website:sarasotabay.org
Tampa Bay National Estuary Program1008thAvenueSoutheastMSI-1/NEPSt.Petersburg,FL33701(727)893-2765Website:tbep.org
Tampa Bay Watch3000PinellasBaywaySouthTierraVerde,FL33715(727)867-8166Website:tampabaywatch.org
ormoreinformationaboutlandandwaterresourcesprotection,contacttheCommunicationsSectionofthePublicAffairsBureauoftheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictat1-800-423-1476(FLonly)or(352)796-7211,ext.4757,orvisitourwebsiteatWaterMatters.org,orcontactanyoftheagenciesororganizationslistedbelow.
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Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program1926VictoriaAvenueFortMyers,FL33901-3414(239)338-2556Website:chnep.org
Florida Department of Environmental ProtectionTampaOffice13051NorthTelecomParkwayTempleTerrace,FL33637(813)632-7600Website:dep.state.fl.us/southwest
Florida Farm BureauPostOfficeBox147030Gainesville,FL32614-7030(352)378-8100Website:floridafarmbureau.org
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation CommissionSouthwestRegion3900DraneFieldRoadLakeland,FL33811-1299(863)648-3200Website:myfwc.com
Hillsborough County Extension5339SouthCountyRoad579Seffner,FL33584-3334(813)744-5519Website:hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu
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acquisition:gainingpossessionofsomething
aquifer: aspongelikeundergroundlayeroflimestoneorrocksthatcanholdandreleasewater
biodiversity:widevarietyofplantsandanimalswithinaspecificgeographicregion
carrion:deadanddecayingflesh
community:agroupofplantsandanimalslivingandinteractingwithoneanotherinaspecificregionunderrelativelysimilarenvironmentalconditions
conservation:carefuluseofaresource;limitedwaste
contaminants:impuritiesthatmakesomethingunusableorunhealthy
ecological niche:thespecificroleaplantoranimalplaysinitsecosystem
ecosystem:alivingcommunityofplantsandanimalsandtheirrelationshipwiththeenvironmentaroundthem
endangered species:plantoranimalspeciesthatisindangerofextinctionwithouthumanprotection
estuary: apartiallyenclosedbodyofwaterformedwherefreshwaterfromriversandstreamsflowsintotheocean,mixingwiththesaltyseawater
extinct:nolongerexisting
habitat:thespecificplacewherelivingorganismsfindthethingstheyneedtosurvive,suchasfood,shelter,waterandspace
headwater: thewaterfromwhichariveroriginates
herbivore:animalthatfeedschieflyonplants
lakes:inlandbodiesoffreshwater,naturalorconstructed,usuallysurroundedbyland
living organism:alivingplantoranimalsystem
migrate: tochangehabitatorlocationperiodically,asinresponsetoseasonalchanges
recharge:theadditionofwater
rivers:createdfromexcessrainwaterthatflowsofftheland
salinity:amountofsalt
species:agroupofplantsoranimalsthataregeneticallysimilarandreproducewitheachother
species of special concern:onethatdoesnotclearlyfitintotheendangeredorthreatenedcategories,yetwarrantsspecialattention
springs:occurwheregroundwater,orwaterstoredinundergroundaquifers,comestothesurface
stewardship:senseofsharedresponsibility;management
stormwater runoff:extrarainwaterthatdoesnotsoakintotheground
threatened species:onethatislikelytobecomeendangeredintheforeseeablefutureunlessconservationactionsaretaken
wetlands:landsthatarewetall,orpart,oftheyear(oranareabetweendrylandandopenwater);sometimescoveredwithashallowlayerofwater,buttherearealsowetlandsthatcanbedryforpartoftheyear
wildlife:animalsorplantslivinginanaturalstate
COM rev 11-2012