Floridas National Parks Project 2 completed by… Gerald Page Joseph Vetere Leslie Halsema Chad Brenco.

Florida’s National ParksFlorida’s National Parks

Project 2 completed by…Project 2 completed by…Gerald PageGerald Page

Joseph VetereJoseph VetereLeslie HalsemaLeslie Halsema

Chad BrencoChad Brenco

National ParksNational Parks

• Yellowstone National Park was Yellowstone National Park was established by congress as the first established by congress as the first National Park in 1872.National Park in 1872.

• In 1916 the National Park Service was created.• Funded by the Department of the Interior

Image of Yellowstone National ParkImage of Yellowstone National Parkhttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2957792033_ff1c9788d9.jpg

The National Park Service covers national parks, The National Park Service covers national parks, monuments, preserves, seashores, recreation monuments, preserves, seashores, recreation areas, historic sites, military parks, battlefields, areas, historic sites, military parks, battlefields, and other designated areas. and other designated areas.

What qualifies as a National Park? What qualifies as a National Park? Generally large natural areas having a wide variety of Generally large natural areas having a wide variety of

features, typically including significant historic value. features, typically including significant historic value. Hunting, mining, and/or any activities that Hunting, mining, and/or any activities that “consume” park resources are not authorized in “consume” park resources are not authorized in national parks. national parks. The main difference between a The main difference between a national park and a national preserve is that in a national park and a national preserve is that in a preserve you can hunt, fish, etc.preserve you can hunt, fish, etc.

The NPS ArrowheadThe NPS Arrowhead

•Authorized as the agency's official emblem by the Secretary of the Interior on July 20, 1951.•The symbol first appeared on a road sign and then a ranger uniform in September 1952.•Registered as an official emblem of the National Park Service on February 9, 1965 by the United States Patent Office.

• Its shape and earth-brown background Its shape and earth-brown background represent historical and represent historical and archaeological values.archaeological values.

• The bison and sequoia tree symbolize The bison and sequoia tree symbolize the diverse world of plants and the diverse world of plants and animals within the parks system. The animals within the parks system. The bison and sequoia tree were selected bison and sequoia tree were selected because they are symbols from the because they are symbols from the first two National Parks, Yellowstone first two National Parks, Yellowstone and Sequoia.and Sequoia.

• The mountains and water represent The mountains and water represent scenic and recreational values. scenic and recreational values.

Florida’s National ParksFlorida’s National Parks

North

•There are 3 national parks in Florida: Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park, and Biscayne National Park. •http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/maps/1900/63300.htm

• Dry Tortugas: the first National Park in Dry Tortugas: the first National Park in Florida Florida – established January 4, 1935 established January 4, 1935 – covers 64,657 acrescovers 64,657 acres– 99% of park is open water and submerged islands 99% of park is open water and submerged islands

• Everglades: largest national park in Florida Everglades: largest national park in Florida – established December 6, 1947 established December 6, 1947 – covers 1,508,537.9 acrescovers 1,508,537.9 acres– the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rocky the largest tract of wilderness east of the Rocky

MountainsMountains

• Biscayne National Park:Biscayne National Park:– established October 18, 1968established October 18, 1968– covers 172,924.07 acres, including two-thirds of covers 172,924.07 acres, including two-thirds of

Biscayne BayBiscayne Bay

Biscayne National Park – Biscayne National Park – A A Watery WonderlandWatery Wonderland

– LocationLocation– EcologyEcology– Things to DoThings to Do– IssuesIssues

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - LocationLocation• Enjoy a view of downtown Miami Enjoy a view of downtown Miami

and pristine marine life when you and pristine marine life when you visitvisit

• Covers ~200 square miles Covers ~200 square miles

((172,971 acres )172,971 acres )

• MAP IT MAP IT HERE!

• Northern most island of Northern most island of the FL Keysthe FL Keys

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - EcologyEcology• Home to several unique and very diverse ecosystems Home to several unique and very diverse ecosystems

like like MangrovesMangroves, , Coral ReefsCoral Reefs & & Pristine BeachesPristine Beaches (and (and close proximity to a great social scene…)close proximity to a great social scene…)

• Each ecosystems is comprised of a variety of smaller Each ecosystems is comprised of a variety of smaller communities like seagrass meadows, hardbottom communities like seagrass meadows, hardbottom areas and hardwood hammocks. The geology of the areas and hardwood hammocks. The geology of the area has been influenced by changing sea levels, area has been influenced by changing sea levels, currents, hurricanes, and reef-building organisms like currents, hurricanes, and reef-building organisms like corals. South Florida's subtropical climate produces corals. South Florida's subtropical climate produces forest types that are more typical of the Caribbean forest types that are more typical of the Caribbean than of mainland North America.than of mainland North America.

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - EcologyEcology• Mangrove = several treesMangrove = several trees• Protects the shoreline from erosionProtects the shoreline from erosion

– Important protection from hurricane windsImportant protection from hurricane winds

• Safe haven for small animals (craps, fish)Safe haven for small animals (craps, fish)• Impenetrable root system to help to keep Impenetrable root system to help to keep

Biscayne's waters clean and clear by slowing the Biscayne's waters clean and clear by slowing the water that flows into the bay from the land, water that flows into the bay from the land, allowing the sediment carried by the runoff to allowing the sediment carried by the runoff to dispersedisperse

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - EcologyEcology • Coral ReefsCoral Reefs are most diverse are most diverse

ecosystemsecosystems

• Home to over 200 species of fishHome to over 200 species of fish

• The coral reefs are a community of The coral reefs are a community of many different types of marine many different types of marine organismsorganisms

• Polyps (fan-like) obtain calcium and Polyps (fan-like) obtain calcium and form structure of reefform structure of reef

• Other marine life to see: loggerhead Other marine life to see: loggerhead sea turtles, nurse sharks, moray, sea turtles, nurse sharks, moray, dolphinsdolphins

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - EcologyEcology• The Bay & Beaches The Bay & Beaches are unique as wellare unique as well

• Biscayne Bay is a shallow estuary, where Biscayne Bay is a shallow estuary, where freshwater from the land mixes with salt water freshwater from the land mixes with salt water from the sea and marine lifefrom the sea and marine life

Biscayne National Park – Biscayne National Park – Things to do…Things to do…

• SCUBA! Tons of undersea lifeSCUBA! Tons of undersea life

• Relax on sandy beaches!Relax on sandy beaches!

• CampingCamping

• Canoeing/KayakingCanoeing/Kayaking

• Fishing & LobsteringFishing & Lobstering

• Did you know? One of South Florida’s Did you know? One of South Florida’s best windsurfing locationbest windsurfing location

Biscayne National Park - Biscayne National Park - IssuesIssues

• Local hydrology (runoff, pollution)Local hydrology (runoff, pollution)

• Improper mixing of salt/fresh waterImproper mixing of salt/fresh water

• Non-native species (Brazilian Pepper, Non-native species (Brazilian Pepper, Australian Pine, Cuban tree frog)Australian Pine, Cuban tree frog)

• City noise is a big problemCity noise is a big problem

Dry TortugasDry TortugasHistory and CompositionHistory and Composition

• Discovered in 1513 Discovered in 1513 by Juan Ponce de by Juan Ponce de Leon. Leon.

• Composed of seven Composed of seven islands made from islands made from coral reef remains, coral reef remains, sand and limestone. sand and limestone.

• The park is 100 miThe park is 100 mi2 2

in which 46 miin which 46 mi2 2 is a is a Research Natural Research Natural Area. Area.

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/mrgis_ims/Description_Layers_Marine.htm

Dry TortugasDry TortugasWildlifeWildlife

• Several important Several important game-fish can be game-fish can be found in the Dry found in the Dry Tortugas, including Tortugas, including Snappers, Groupers Snappers, Groupers and Grunts. Fish that and Grunts. Fish that spawn in the Tortugas spawn in the Tortugas can be carried away can be carried away by oceanic currents by oceanic currents and have been traced and have been traced as far as Tampa Bay as far as Tampa Bay and Cape Canaveral. and Cape Canaveral. http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/

pub/8800.php?from=116914

Dry TortugasDry TortugasWildlife (cntd.)Wildlife (cntd.)

• Several Bird Several Bird Species make the Species make the Dry Tortugas their Dry Tortugas their home, including home, including Sooty Terns, Noddy Sooty Terns, Noddy Terns, and the Terns, and the Masked Booby. The Masked Booby. The Terns lay their Terns lay their eggs and raise eggs and raise their young from their young from February to February to September. September.

http://www.msstate.edu/org/mos/Images/Sooty%20Tern%201.jpg

Dry TortugasDry TortugasWildlife (cntd.)Wildlife (cntd.)

• Loggerhead and Loggerhead and Green Sea Turtles Green Sea Turtles use the beaches of use the beaches of the islands to lay the islands to lay their eggs. The lack their eggs. The lack of lights on the of lights on the islands help islands help prevent the baby prevent the baby Sea Turtles from Sea Turtles from being killed. being killed.

http://zoltantakacs.com/zt/pw/re/album.php?idx=7

Dry TortugasDry TortugasIssuesIssues

• Tourism! According to Tourism! According to the South Florida the South Florida Natural Resource Natural Resource Center, the park Center, the park witnessed an increase witnessed an increase in visitation between in visitation between 1994 and 2000 which 1994 and 2000 which increases the risk of increases the risk of invasive species, invasive species, anchor damage and anchor damage and water degradation.water degradation.

http://www.nps.gov/drto/photosmultimedia/index.htm?eid=147603&root_aId=235#e_147603

Dry TortugasDry TortugasIssues (cntd.)Issues (cntd.)

• A major problem A major problem throughout the park throughout the park and the region is and the region is over-fishing. over-fishing. According to the According to the South Florida South Florida Natural Resources Natural Resources Center, the use of Center, the use of fish finders has fish finders has made fishing easier made fishing easier and faster. and faster.

http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/image_full/mediterranean/photosvideos/photos/overfishing-in-the-mediterrane.jpg

Dry TortugasDry TortugasIssues (contd.)Issues (contd.)

• However, the Dry However, the Dry Tortugas Research Tortugas Research Expedition led by Expedition led by Dr. Jerald Ault of Dr. Jerald Ault of the University of the University of Miami found that Miami found that within RNA zones, within RNA zones, populations of populations of Grouper, Snapper Grouper, Snapper and other fish were and other fish were increasing. increasing. http://www.nps.gov/drto/parkmgmt/

upload/DRTO%20RNA%20Map%20final%203-8-07.jpg

Everglades National ParkEverglades National Park

Everglades National ParkEverglades National Park

• Largest subtropical wilderness in the Largest subtropical wilderness in the United StatesUnited States

• Boasts rare and endangered species. Boasts rare and endangered species.

• It has been designated a World It has been designated a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of Reserve, and Wetland of International Importance, significant International Importance, significant to all people of the world. to all people of the world.

Animals of the EvergladesAnimals of the Everglades

• Since its dedication in Since its dedication in 1947, Everglades National 1947, Everglades National Park has been called one of Park has been called one of the great biologic wonders the great biologic wonders of the world.of the world.

• This expansive thriving This expansive thriving wetland encompasses the wetland encompasses the tiniest grass frog to the tiniest grass frog to the biggest American crocodile.biggest American crocodile.

• This wide range of life This wide range of life includes species from the includes species from the Caribbean tropics and more Caribbean tropics and more familiar species from the familiar species from the temperate North America. temperate North America.

Birds in the EvergladesBirds in the Everglades

• Over 360 species Over 360 species have been recorded have been recorded in the park and the in the park and the list continues to grow.list continues to grow.

• The Everglades The Everglades remain one of the remain one of the best destinations for best destinations for easily observing great easily observing great concentrations of concentrations of many diverse bird many diverse bird species. species.

Fish in the EvergladesFish in the Everglades

• Nearly 300 different Nearly 300 different species of fish are species of fish are known to inhabit the known to inhabit the freshwater marshes freshwater marshes and marine coastline and marine coastline of Everglades of Everglades National Park. National Park. 

• Fishing remains one Fishing remains one of the most popular of the most popular activities in the park. activities in the park.

Mammals and Reptiles in the Mammals and Reptiles in the EvergladesEverglades• Over 40 species of Over 40 species of

mammals are found in mammals are found in Everglades National Everglades National Park.  Park. 

• Over 50 distinct kinds of Over 50 distinct kinds of reptiles can be found in reptiles can be found in the park. the park.

• Many species commonly Many species commonly associated with drier associated with drier habitats of forest and habitats of forest and fields have adapted to fields have adapted to the semi-aquatic the semi-aquatic environment that environment that comprise most of the comprise most of the park's acreage.  park's acreage. 

Plants in the EvergladesPlants in the Everglades

• The Everglades serve as The Everglades serve as important habitat for a important habitat for a number of both endemic number of both endemic and legally protected and legally protected species found here. species found here.

• Non-native plants are Non-native plants are one of the greatest one of the greatest threats to the natural threats to the natural ecosystems of the United ecosystems of the United States and are destroying States and are destroying America's natural history America's natural history and identity. This and identity. This includes the Everglades. includes the Everglades.

Threats to the EvergladesThreats to the Everglades

• Water Control Water Control

• Introduced SpeciesIntroduced Species

• Development Development

Water ControlWater Control

• Water control has been Water control has been achieved through the achieved through the use of drainage canals use of drainage canals and pumping stations and pumping stations throughout the throughout the Everglades region Everglades region

• Currently there are over Currently there are over 1,400 miles (2,253 1,400 miles (2,253 kilometers) of canals kilometers) of canals and levees within the and levees within the Everglades region used Everglades region used for water control and for water control and diversion. diversion.

A water control structure used for water discharge

Water Data Collection Station

Invasive BastardsInvasive Bastards

• Australian Pine Australian Pine ((Casuarina equisetifoliaCasuarina equisetifolia) )

• This fast growing pine This fast growing pine displaces native beach displaces native beach dune vegetation by dune vegetation by altering light, altering light, temperature, and soil temperature, and soil chemistry through the chemistry through the formation of a thick formation of a thick blanket of fallen leaves blanket of fallen leaves and fruit.and fruit.

Invasive BastardsInvasive Bastards

• Brazilian Pepper Brazilian Pepper ((Schinus Schinus terebinthifoliusterebinthifolius) )

• This aggressive plant is This aggressive plant is considered one of the considered one of the most invasive in Florida.most invasive in Florida.

• It produces a chemical It produces a chemical which can suppress the which can suppress the growth of other plants growth of other plants and irritate human skin.and irritate human skin.

Invasive BastardsInvasive Bastards

• Juvenile Mayan Juvenile Mayan Cichlid Cichlid

• An introduced An introduced species found in species found in the freshwater the freshwater marshes of the marshes of the Everglades Everglades

DevelopmentDevelopment

• Development pressures Development pressures from agriculture, from agriculture, industry, and urban industry, and urban areas have destroyed areas have destroyed more than half of the more than half of the original Everglades original Everglades

• Agriculture, such as Agriculture, such as sugar cane, rice, and sugar cane, rice, and dairy farms, exists on dairy farms, exists on drained land within the drained land within the Everglades. Everglades.

Visit the Everglades!Visit the Everglades!• There are many different experiences that a There are many different experiences that a

visitor can have at Everglades National visitor can have at Everglades National Park.Park.

• Camping, boating, hiking, and even a visit Camping, boating, hiking, and even a visit to a former missile base in the center of the to a former missile base in the center of the park are all possible. park are all possible.

• Many have enjoyed exploring some of the Many have enjoyed exploring some of the 156 miles (251 km) of canoe/kayak and 156 miles (251 km) of canoe/kayak and walking trails and 47 designated wilderness walking trails and 47 designated wilderness campsites opportunities for solitude.campsites opportunities for solitude.

• Current schedules and information can be Current schedules and information can be found at www.nps.gov. found at www.nps.gov.