As we enter November, we have entered the dry season here in the Everglades. The Everglades have two distinct seasons that are categorized by the water levels in the area. The wet season comes with a period of intense rains that typically lasts from April or May to October or November. The dry season typically occurs from November to April as the weather starts to cool off. During these months there is usually less humidity during the day and clearer skies leading to less rain. This period causes the area to dry up with the water levels changing dramatically each month depending on the amount of rain in the environment. These seasonal changes bring about balance within the ecosystem by helping maintain the health of the ecosystem.
While this abrupt season change may seem like a lot to handle, the organisms within this area are adapted to handling the drastic change in the weather. Plants like sawgrass have long roots that help ground them during the intense periods of rain and allow them to access water that is deep underground in the dry season. American alligators dig holes in the ground that fill up during the wet season and stay filled during the dry season providing not only them, but other organisms with water and shelter. Other organisms work to retain water during this time to ensure their survival. Plants are adapted to utilize the water they have around them at whatever level is available. Lichen and moss take moisture from the air whereas local succulents store water in their roots and leaves to access later.
These months also tend to attract other animals as well. Migratory birds and other migratory animals spend time in the Everglades during the cooler months due to the favorable conditions in the area compared to other areas of the country. The dry season provides access to food and shelter for these birds and other animals as they migrate to other areas south. The milder season is also usually accompanied by a nesting season for many animals. Rookeries (which refer to the group of breeding animals as well as the nesting area they use) are prominent within the Everglades where groups of migratory birds utilize the trees to nest and raise their young. These animals choose to escape the cold to reproduce in a warmer climate before making the journey back just in time to escape the rainy, humid wet season in the spring.