 Fields in the EAA are typically 40 acres ( 16 ha ) , on two sides bordered by canals that are connected to larger ones by which water is pumped in or out depending on the needs of the crops . The water level for sugarcane is ideally maintained at 20 inches ( 51 cm ) below the surface soil , and after the cane is harvested , the stalks are burned . Vegetables require more fertilizer than sugarcane , though the fields may resemble the historic hydrology of the Everglades by being flooded in the wet season . Sugarcane , however , requires water in the dry season . The fertilizers used on vegetables , along with high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus that are the by @-@ product of decayed soil necessary for sugarcane production , were pumped into WCAs south of the EAA , predominantly to Everglades National Park . The introduction of large amounts of these let exotic plants take hold in the Everglades . One of the defining characteristics of natural Everglades ecology is its ability to support itself in a nutrient @-@ poor environment , and the introduction of fertilizers began to change this ecology . 
 Fields in the EAA <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>are</mark></a>typically 40 acres ( 16 ha ) , on two sides bordered by canals <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>that</mark></a>are connected to larger ones by which water is pumped in or out depending on the needs of the crops . The water level for sugarcane is ideally maintained at 20 inches ( 51 cm ) below the surface soil , and after the cane is harvested , the stalks are burned . Vegetables require more fertilizer than sugarcane , though the fields may resemble the historic hydrology of the Everglades by being flooded in the wet season . Sugarcane , however , <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>requires</mark></a> water in the dry season . The fertilizers used on vegetables , along with high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='drop_aux' title='5'><mark>are</mark></a>the by @-@ product of decayed soil necessary for sugarcane production , <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>were</mark></a> pumped into WCAs south of the EAA , predominantly to Everglades National Park . The introduction of large amounts of these let exotic plants take hold in the Everglades . One of the defining characteristics of natural Everglades ecology <a href='drop_aux' title='7'><mark>is</mark></a>its ability to support itself in a nutrient @-@ poor environment , and the introduction of fertilizers began to change this ecology . 
Fields in the EAA typically 40 acres ( 16 ha ) , on two sides bordered by canals r connected to larger ones by which water is geeked in or outt depending on the needs of the crops . da water level fir sugarcane is ideally maintained at 20 inches ( 51 cm ) below the surface soil , and after the cane is harvested , tdastalks are burned . Vegetables require more fertilizer den sugarcane , tho the fields may resemble thdaistoric hydrology of the Everglades by bein flooded in the wet season . Sugarcane , however , require water in the dry season . The fertilizers used on vegetables , along with high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus theda @-@ product of decayed soil necessary for sugarcane production , was pumped into WCAs south of the da , predominantly to Everglades National Park . The introduction of large amounts of dese let exotic plants take hold in the Everglades . One of the ddaning characteristics of natural Everglades ecology its ability to support itself in a nutrient @-@ poor environment , and the indaduction of fertilizers began to change this ecology .