Urban Growth’s Effect on the Florida Everglades

Urban growth, also known as urbanization or urban sprawl, is the spreading of metropolitan growth that consumes natural areas, which has many harmful effects on the environment. This study provides information on how urban growth is affecting the Florida Everglades in destructive ways, with a focus on the water in the Everglades. A plethora of water pollutants, such as phosphorous, nitrogen and mercury come directly from human activities associated with urban sprawl. This pollution affects many parts of the Everglades’ natural ecosystem including sawgrass marshes and mangrove swamps, as well as endangered species, such as, the crocodile and Florida panther. This study also addresses limits on chemical pollution that can be placed by the President through executive orders. Overall, the water pollution in the Everglades is destructive in many ways and can be reduced through executive orders from the President to limit the use of chemicals in urban fringe areas.