Everglades Wetland Food Web
Wetland
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub
Southern Florida, United States
Description
The Florida Everglades is a vast subtropical wetland where freshwater flows slowly southward through sawgrass marshes to mangrove estuaries. Periphyton mats form the primary production base, supporting a food web that includes wading birds, alligators, and the endangered Florida panther. Seasonal water level fluctuations concentrate prey and drive predator-prey dynamics.
Trophic Pyramid
Level 5
Decomposers
Cyanobacteria
Fungi
Detritivorous insects
3 species
Level 4
Tertiary Consumers
American alligator
Florida panther
Bald eagle
3 species
Level 3
Secondary Consumers
Great blue heron
Largemouth bass
Snail kite
3 species
Level 2
Primary Consumers
Apple snail
Crayfish
Mosquitofish
3 species
Level 1
Producers
Sawgrass
Periphyton
Bladderwort
3 species
Apex Predators
Tertiary Consumers
Secondary Consumers
Primary Consumers
Producers
Key Interactions
- American alligators create 'gator holes' that serve as dry-season refugia for fish and invertebrates
- Snail kites specialize in feeding on apple snails
- Seasonal drawdowns concentrate fish, triggering mass wading bird nesting
- Periphyton mats fix nitrogen and provide habitat for invertebrates