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Rodney Camauf
Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700 Contact: Media Contact Linda Friar, 305-242-7714 Contact: Media Contact Mary Plumb, 305-242-7017 The educational television series, "Waterways," continues to showcase the south Florida ecosystem in an exciting new two-part episode.The unique wading birds of Everglades National Park are featured, as well as benthic studies that explore the make-up of the seafloor in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In the first segment, "Wading Birds of the Everglades," Everglades National Park biologists discuss the importance of the habitat in the park, which provides for 16 species of wading birds. Everglades National Park protects the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America, including White Ibis, egrets, herons, as well as Roseate Spoonbills and endangered Wood Storks. Decimated by plume hunters in the 1900s, populations of these and other wading birds are showing signs of rebounding, including moving back into historical nesting sites within the park. The episode's second segment, "Benthic Studies in the Florida Keys," explores the seafloor and its community of plants and animals that make up the foundation of the coral reef ecosystem in the Keys. Studying this benthic community over time gives scientists critical information on the condition of the ecosystem. Mark Chiappone, a Research Associate at the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, and Scott Donahue of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, explain how an annual benthic survey (measuring coral populations and condition, seaweed, and invertebrates) provides a snapshot of the health of the coral system. They also describe how this information is used by scientists and managers. With more than 200 episodes produced since 1993, the "Waterways" educational television series is a joint project between Everglades National Park, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, informing viewers of the diverse wonders of the south Florida ecosystem, and the research and conservation programs that protect them. "Waterways" airs on public and government channels throughout the state of Florida—check local listings for scheduling. Episodes may also be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/waterwaystvshow and Vimeo at www.vimeo.com/waterwaystvshow. WHAT:The latest episode of the educational television series, "Waterways: Wading Birds and Benthic Studies" WHEN:Check local listings for scheduling WHERE:"Waterways" airs on public and government channels throughout the state of Florida. Episodes may also be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/waterwaystvshow and Vimeo at www.vimeo.com/waterwaystvshow. |
Last updated: April 14, 2015