According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, this diverse landscape provides a home to over 20 rare, threatened, and endangered species.
Because of the diverse landscape the Everglades is able to sustain hundred of different species of animal. The site provides a breeding ground for over 400 species of birds.
The Everglades National Park contains vast wetlands as well as vast dry lands. Its unique ecosystem makes it unlike any national park in the country. (Picture courtesy of http://www.npca.org)
The Everglades is the only area in the United States that is deemed a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
In order to be considered a World Heritage site, the area must meet certain criteria, ten to be exact. UNESCO considers a World Heritage Site to, "Be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of the ten selection criteria." (http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/)
The Everglades is the only World Heritage Site in the United States. It holds national and universal value. (Picture courtesy of http://sofia.usgs.gov)
The Everglades is important not only to the animals that live there but to community that surrounds it. The land is often used by Universities to research the lives and habitats of rare and endangered species.
The fresh water everglades is the main sources of freshwater for Miami and much of south Florida.
Sources:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/
http://www.nps.gov/ever/naturescience/sfnrc.htm
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/everglades-national-park/
http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/everglades-national-park
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