The estuary zones include the mangrove swamp, the coastal prairie, the freshwater slough, the cypress swamp, the hardwood hammocks, and the pinelands. Along the shore, seagrass provides habitat for shellfish, fish and sponges. The nutrient for this zone is acquired by water as it drains off land.
Behind the estuary are the Mangrove forests. During winter, wading shore birds nest in the mangrove trees and feed on the abundance shrimp supply. Drought-resistant grasses and cacti hold the costal sand dune in place, except when hurricanes blow ashore. Then vegetation will have to start its growing process again since the dunes have become heavily eroded.
Fresh water fen composes the main part of the Everglades. Along its edg