Human Population Growth and Ecosystem Impacts The Florida Everglades is a complex ecosystem located in southern Florida that is being harmed by human population growth. It is one of the largest wetlands in the world and was part of a watershed hundreds of years ago. The “Historic Everglades” stretched more than 3,000,000 acres from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. However, it began to shrink when settlers arrived in the early 1900s and used water from the Everglades for agricultural purposes and to use the land for homes. Current population growth, along with agriculture, means that more water is needed from the Everglades (NASA, http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/everglades/FEeverglades1.html). The growth of the human population is due to new advances in healthcare technology. Doctors and scientists have developed numerous medicines, treatments and medical devices to help prolong human life. Medicines and cures for life-threatening illnesses and diseases have been developed. Medical devices have been developed as an aid in surgery and for other medical purposes. Life expectancy in the United States has increased dramatically due to these technologies. This means that humans live longer and the population therefore increases (Gluckman, http://ezinearticles.com/?New-Medical-Inventions&id=278022). Diagnostic ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound exams for pregnant women allow doctors to see if there is a lack of heartbeat or a defect in the fetus. If caught in time, the problems can be solved and the child will be saved. This causes a higher birth rate, which means the human population grows (Medical and Nursing Education, http://www.medicalandnursing-training.com/medical-technician-schools/ultrasound-diagnostics/a/advances-in -ultrasound-diagnostics -tecnologia.html). New technologies improve food safety. Foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria are still a major problem, but new technologies have been developed to substantially reduce or eliminate the bacteria with the greatest risk of death, called L. monocytogenes. Technologies that rid foods of E. coli bacteria have also been developed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service have taken steps to prevent illnesses caused by bacteria-rich foods. They have established a “zero tolerance” for L. monocytogenes in foods. These new food safety technologies mean that fewer people get sick from food contamination and thus the population increases (Intralytix, http://www.intralytix.com/Intral_Food.htm). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The Florida Everglades can be classified as a freshwater/wetland ecosystem. It spans two million acres of Florida, from Lake Okeechobee in central Florida south to the Florida Basin. In the Everglades rainy season, Lake Okeechobee overflows and slowly sends water through the "river of grass" through the Everglades, into Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. The Everglades provides drinking water to South Florida and water for agricultural purposes. Purifies water by filtering pollutants and absorbing nutrients. The animals the Everglades is best known for are Florida panthers, crocodiles, manatees and its many bird species – there are over 350 species in Everglades National Park alone. The Florida panther, however, is the most endangered animal in the United States).