This document discusses Florida's land and freshwater resources across three sections. Section 1 describes Florida's major ecological communities including woodland forests, dry prairies, wetlands and beaches. Section 2 focuses on groundwater, noting that aquifers provide nearly 90% of Florida's drinking water and the Floridan Aquifer is one of the largest in the world. Wells and springs are discussed. Section 2 also covers threats to groundwater such as overwithdrawal, saltwater intrusion and pollution. Section 3 examines the location of groundwater, describing the zone of aeration and zone of saturation, as well as the water table. Cave formation and sinkholes are also summarized.

2. Florida’s major ecological communities include woodland forests, dry prairies, wetlands, and beaches.

5. An aquifer is a body of rock or sediment that stores groundwater and allows the flow of groundwater.

8. Water from aquifers can rise to the surface to form springs.

10. As it flows down through rocks and sediments in an aquifer, groundwater becomes filtered and purified.

12. Overwithdrawal occurs when water is removed from an aquifer faster than it can be replaced.

14. Since nearly 90% of Floridians live near the coast, saltwater intrusion is a problem in many aquifers.

18. Sinkholes When the water table is lower than the level of a cave, the cave is no longer supported by the water underneath. The roof of the cave can then collapse, which leaves a circular depression called a sinkhole.