Everglades Ecosystem Understanding

The video follows Ms. Stone's fifth-grade class as they explore the Everglades, learning about its unique ecosystems and the importance of conservation. Guided by Ranger Jim, the students visit various habitats, including the Anhinga Trail and Pinelands, observing wildlife and understanding the interconnectedness of life. They discuss the impact of human activities and the significance of the Everglades restoration plan. The experience emphasizes the students' future role in protecting this vital ecosystem.

What is the main goal of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan?

• To increase tourism in the Everglades

• To preserve the natural water system and wetland

• To build more shopping centers

• To introduce new species to the area

During the field trip, what did the students learn about the Anhinga Trail?

• It is a place where they can swim

• It is a shopping area

• It is a boardwalk that circles into a slough

• It is a dry area with no wildlife

Why do animals gather around deeper water areas during the dry season?

• To socialize with other animals

• To escape predators

• To find shade

• To search for food

What is unique about the mangrove swamps in the Everglades?

• They are man-made

• They are the highest point in the Everglades

• They are completely dry all year

• They have specially adapted trees that can live in brackish water

What role do mangrove swamps play in the ecosystem?

• They are tourist attractions

• They are used for agriculture

• They serve as nurseries for marine animals

• They are used for logging

What are solution holes, and how are they formed?

• They are man-made wells

• They are carved out of limestone by tannic acid

• They are natural springs

• They are holes dug by animals

What did the students observe in the Pinelands?

• A variety of wildlife and quiet surroundings

• A bustling city

• A large lake

• A desert landscape

What is a finger glade, and how does it change with the seasons?

• A type of tree that grows in the Everglades

• A small part of the sawgrass prairie that fills with water during the wet season

• A man-made pond

• A desert area that never changes

Why is silence considered important in the Everglades?

• It helps animals sleep

• It is a sign of a healthy ecosystem

• It is necessary for plant growth

• It allows for better communication

What realization did the students have at the end of their field trip?

• They should avoid visiting the Everglades

• They are not connected to the Everglades

• They have no role in conservation

• They are future guardians of the Everglades