Climate change puts US' subtropical Everglades wetlands at risk

The largest wetland in the United States has become the battleground of one of the largest environmental conservation efforts in the world.

An airboat makes its way through the Everglades wetlands in the Everglades National Park, Florida, U.S., Sept. 30, 2021.

But time is running short, and global warming is threatening a subtropical wilderness that is home to more than 2,000 species of animals and plants.

An alligator is seen hiding under a wood log in the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

An airboat is seen hovering over the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

Water vegetation is seen under the water in Everglades wetlands in Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

Steve Davis, chief science officer of the Everglades Foundation, collects weeds and algae from Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

Small grass islands are seen amid the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

An alligator lays on the grass near a canal in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

Water vegetation is seen under the water in the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

A bird sits on a tree in Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

Steve Davis, chief science officer of the Everglades Foundation, collects weeds and algae from the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

Tourist airboat captain Umberto Lazaro Gimenez, hovers over the Everglades wetland, Sept. 30, 2021.

Tourist airboat captain Umberto Lazaro Gimenez wades through the wetlands near an alligator in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

An airboat is seen docked in the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

A bird flies holding its kill in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

A bird sits on a tree in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

A bird sits on a tree in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

A turkey vulture is seen walking in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

A year-old alligator is seen hiding under a wood log in the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

The reflection of the sky is seen in the water amid small grass islands in the Everglades wetlands in Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

Water vegetation is seen under the water in the Everglades wetlands, Sept. 30, 2021.

Steve Davis, chief science officer of the Everglades Foundation, points on a map while explaining the Everglades wildlife in the Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.

Large pump systems are seen pushing water into a manmade canal that moves water flow from east to west to restore the natural flow of the wetlands in Everglades National Park, Sept. 30, 2021.