South Florida Information Access - Virtual Tour
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Alligator Alley (I-75) is one of the major east-west highways that cross South Florida. Driving east to west along Alligator Alley, one travels through the populated Naples area with its manicured golf courses, the wilderness of Big Cypress Swamp and the sawgrass marshes of Water Conservation Area 3. Wading birds in flight and at rest, and yes, alligators, can also be seen along the canal banks adjacent to the highway. Step out from behind the vehicle window and see some of the alligators and sawgrass marshes that are found along Alligator Alley.
Here many plants prospers in the marsh. WCA-3 receives agricultural runoff so much of the native sawgrass marsh has been replaced by cattails that prosper in nutrient-enriched waters. Look closely to see the duck-like coot swimming among the spatterdocks (yellow cow lilies). American coots are mainly gray and have a short, thick beak. They are commonly seen in open ponds and marshes and in saltwater bays and inlets. Foods coots may eat include aquatic plants, fish, mollusks and insects.
(Left) Looking westward at the flooded marshes of Water Conservation Area 3 (WCA-3). Coots are swimming along the dense plants of WCA-3.
Yellowtop generally blooms year-round in Florida. It is commonly found in coastal hammocks, dunes, pinelands and disturbed areas of central and southern Florida.
Related SOFIA Information Below we have listed science projects and publications for studies that are being conducted, or have been conducted, in the area of Alligator Alley. Follow these links to read about each project and to see project-related publications and data. Science Projects:
Related Publications:
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U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal Geology
This page is: http://sofia.usgs.gov
/virtual_tour/alalley/index.html
Comments and suggestions? Contact: Heather Henkel - Webmaster (hhenkel@usgs.gov)
Last updated:
January 27, 2004 @ 05:13 PM
(HSH)