West Palm Beach Airboat Rides, Climate Change, and the Everglades
West Palm Beach Airboat Rides, Climate Change, and the Everglades
The Everglades is a delicate ecosystem, and as such, it is very dependant on the weather. The idea is that weather can positively or negatively impact, especially with the current restoration projects in the area. Many efforts to restore balance in the ecosystem rely on certain climatic assumptions and predictions, which is why a change in the weather patterns can throw a spanner in the works. The well-being of the Everglades is essential to West Palm Beach Airboat Rides. Let’s take a look at how climate change can affect our favorite ecosystem.
Temperature change and rising sea levels
As previously stated, a lot of conservation efforts assumed specific weather patterns. While taking many factors into account, certain aspects of climate change weren’t part of the original plans. The restoration of the Everglades is potentially facing new challenges.
One of those particular challenges is the rise in sea level, one of the significant phenomena associated with the increase in temperatures. Global temperatures since the pre-industrial area have seen a global surge of 1-degree Celcius. It might not sound like a lot, but it contributes to the melting of the polar caps. In turn, it leads to the rising of sea levels. Rising sea levels mean an increase in saltwater permeating into the Everglades.
The effects of this rise in sea levels can range from killing off certain life forms to not allowing individual plants to grow where they should. At other times, other non-native plants will start making a takeover. For example, let’s look at the “saline glades” at the Southeast of Everglades National Park. Mangroves thriving on saltwater growing deeper inland have reduced the number of freshwater marshes. The same thing is happening in the Southwestern Cape Sable area.
The weather for West Palm Beach Airboat Rides
The issue is that while we can carefully plan the weather, the original Everglades restoration projects didn’t always take sea level rising into consideration. New plans might have to be made, with very complex predictions and calculations. It can take time and will impede the progress of those conservation and restoration efforts.
West Palm Beach Airboat Rides rely on the Everglades’ well-being, and as such, we are always concerned with anything that can impact our favorite ecosystem. We always follow and support the efforts made by the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Our captains are passionate about the Everglades. It is a beautiful environment, and we always want nature and animal life to keep thriving.
The great news is that the CERP has worked on elevating parts of Tamiami Trail. This trail also serves as a dam across the Everglades. By increasing the freshwater flow from north to south, we are restoring the Kissimmee River’s wetlands. We are building new pump stations to redirect water. The current plans and efforts are working.
As the efforts to restore and conserve the Everglades are working, we stay optimistic that climate change will be another challenge that we will rise above. We will keep touring this beautiful but complex ecosystem. It is our duty and passion to make as many of you discover the wonders of the Everglades.
West Palm Beach Airboat Rides are the best way to explore Florida’s most incredible natural features. Discover wildlife, unique sceneries, and a chance to witness our famous alligators and crocodiles. Please don’t wait any longer, and book an airboat ride with us today for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
