Everglades Restoration

来源：高中英语教学交流
发布时间：2011-09-19 16:06:00
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内容提要：The Everglades are a beautiful part of Florida, and there is no other place like it in the world. With just a vast range of plant and animal life, it would be devastating if it had to be destroyed for farmland and houses.

　　The Everglades is home to many species of plant and wildlife. Sadly, due to the greediness of real estate entrepreneurs, the Everglades have been badly damaged by an over-abundance of phosphorous in the water.（World Lingo） This is from run-off of fertilizer from nearby farms and houses. Ironically, phosphorous actually helps plants to grow. The problem is that phosphorous stimulates the growth of plants that layer the surface of the water, not allowing light to continue on down to the plants and animals below. In addition to this, engineers straightened out the Kissimmee River, increasing the problem as well.

Luckily, a lot is being done to counter these mistakes. The Everglades Restoration Plan is an attempt to fix the decisions of the past. For example, they are reconnecting the Kissimmee River so that it is once again twisting and winding. In fact, there are 68 major projects in place to put water back where it belongs: The Everglades. They are also trying to clean the water up as well. The Everglades Forever Act is a law passed by the state that says that the amount of phosphorous in the water should never get above 10 parts per billion. （FDEP）

But farmers are taking matters into their own hands as well. They are using Best Management Practices （BMPs） in order to come up with practical and effective ways in which to clean up the water. For example, farmers are recycling the water by reusing the run-off water that was sprayed on the field. By doing this, the plants will absorb even more of the water, and this will keep it out of the Everglades.

The Everglades are a beautiful part of Florida, and there is no other place like it in the world. With just a vast range of plant and animal life, it would be devastating if it had to be destroyed for farmland and houses.

Sources:
http://www.evergladesplan.org/facts_info/fact_sheets.aspx, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Everglades, World Lingo