Human Population Growth and Ecosystem ImpactsThe Florida Everglades is a complex ecosystem located in South Florida that is impacted 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” spanned more than 3,000,000 acres, from Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay. However, it began to decline when settlers arrived in the early 1900s and used Everglades water for agricultural purposes and to build homes. Current population growth, along with agriculture, means that more water is needed in the Everglades (NASA, http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/everglades/FEeverglades1.html). The growth in the human population is due to new technological advances in health care. Doctors and scientists have developed many drugs, remedies and medical devices to help prolong human life. Medicines and cures have been developed for life-threatening illnesses and diseases. Medical devices have been developed to facilitate surgery and other medical purposes. Life expectancy in the United States has increased significantly due to these technologies. This means that humans are living longer and therefore the population is increasing (Gluckman, http://ezinearticles.com/?New-Medical-Inventions&id=278022). Diagnostic ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound for pregnant women allow doctors to determine if there is a lack of heartbeat or a fetal abnormality. If detected in time, the problems can be resolved and the baby will be saved. This leads to a higher birth rate, which means the human population is increasing (Medical and Nursing Training, http://www.medicalandnursing-training.com/medical-technician-schools/ultrasound-diagnostics/a/advances-in -ultrasound-diagnostics -technology.html). New technologies improve food safety. Foodborne illnesses caused by bacteria remain a major problem, but new technologies have been developed to significantly reduce or eliminate the bacteria with the greatest risk of death, called L. monocytogenes. Technologies to rid food of E. coli bacteria have also been developed. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service have taken steps to prevent illnesses caused by bacteria-filled foods. They established a “zero tolerance” for L. monocytogenes in food. These new food safety technologies mean that fewer people are getting sick from food contamination and therefore the population is increasing (Intralytix, http://www.intralytix.com/Intral_Food.htm). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the 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. During the Everglades wet season, Lake Okeechobee overflows and slowly sends water via the "River of Grass" through the Everglades, to Everglades National Park and Florida Bay. The Everglades provides drinking water to South Florida as well as water for agricultural purposes. It purifies water by filtering pollutants and absorbing nutrients. The animals for which the Everglades is most recognized are the Florida panthers,).