Journal Entry #3 Douglas

Kamilah Van

Professor Brenda Thomas

IDS 3920 CRN 10140

Journal Entry: Douglas

I found the reading to be very interesting. It was very descriptive in talking about the nature of the everglades. I liked this part the most because I have never been to the everglades but the author’s description gave me something to envision.  As the author began to elaborate more on the different aspects of the everglades I began to marvel at how awesome this environment was in its beginning. From outside knowledge I know that today there are a lot of restoration projects to help save the everglades and I can see the reasoning for such action. I like how the author was able to break down the elements of the everglades: grass, water, and rocks to help describe more of its majestic qualities.  I came along this quote: “The mangrove becomes a solid barrier there, which by its strong, arched and labyrinthine roots collects the sweepage of the fresh water and salt and holds back the parent tree” (Douglas). I found this interesting because it reminded me of the field trip we took and how we were able to see the difference between the different types of mangroves. It also allowed me to see more of the purposes they hold in that ecosystem.

Photo Credit: www.gorp.com

Everything in the everglades holds its purpose in making the area what it is and how it functions. From the water to the trees and animals that reside there I have come to see that everything holds purpose. “Sometimes the rainy season goes all summer, casually raining here and there so that the green things never quite dry out while salt-water mosquitos from the brackish pools about the coasts blow on the west wind in thin screaming hordes” (Douglas). This quote makes me think back to mosquito trenches that were identified on the last field trip and the purpose that it held in providing food for the smaller fish. Though those were different ecosystems I can still see the connection.


Photo Credit: www.tripadvisor.com

As people have come to experience the beauty of the everglades I find that the environment is resilient… at least that is what I can sense from the reading. It goes through its lifecycle and helps to host a multitude of plants and animals. “The life and death of the saw grass is only a moment of that flow in which time, the vastest river, carries us and all life forward” (Douglas). I hope that the authors method will be able to inspire others to that the everglades can be protected and allowed to be something that is still a characteristic of Florida ecosystems.