If a disaster such as flood or fire occurs, the damaged ecosystem is likely to recover in stages that eventually result in a system similar to the original one. In the long run, however, ecosystems always change when climate changes or when one or more new species appear as a result of migration or local evolution.
Human activities can, deliberately or inadvertently, alter the equilibrium in ecosystems.
This lesson uses the Internet to explore the Everglades ecosystem using the resources on the Everglades National Park website. It uses the Internet to provide students with experiences that they may not be able to acquire firsthand. The activities are based on the website of the Everglades National Park. This investigation is most appropriate for a 9th or 10th grade biology class. To introduce students to the Everglades, let them explore the Park Map on the Everglades National Park website.