Natural Features & Ecosystems With the dedication of Everglades
National Park in 1947, a new precedent was set in the growing
conservation movement. For the first time in American history, a
large tract of wilderness was permanently protected not for its
scenic value, but for the benefit of the unique diversity of
life it sustained. The mosaic of habitats found within the
Greater Everglades Ecosystem supports an assemblage of plant and
animal species not found elsewhere on the planet. While nine
distinct habitats have been identified, the landscape remains
dynamic. Ecosystems remain in a constant state of flux, subject
to the elements of south Florida. Did You Know? Around 15
federally threatened and endangered species reside within the
boundaries of Everglades National Park. Sea turtles, crocodiles,
and West Indian Manatees (pictured left) are but a few of these.