Navigation
Explore the warm, humid Southeast and how its rich soil and water resources shape local life.
Did you know there is a part of the United States where it almost never snows, and some trees actually breathe through 'knees' that stick out of the water?
The Southeast region of the United States is known for its warm and humid climate. Humid means the air feels wet and sticky, like the air in a bathroom after a hot shower. Because this region is closer to the equator, it stays sunny and hot for most of the year. This area includes states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. With plenty of rain and very few freezing days, plants here can grow for a long time. This period is called the growing season, and in the Southeast, it can last for more than days a year!
Quick Check
What does it mean when we say the climate in the Southeast is 'humid'?
Answer
It means the air holds a lot of moisture and feels wet or sticky.
Because of the rich soil and warm weather, agriculture (farming) is a huge part of life in the Southeast. Farmers grow crops that need lots of heat. Florida is world-famous for citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. Further north, in states like Georgia and South Carolina, cotton is a major crop. Cotton is a fluffy plant used to make the fabric for your favorite t-shirts. Without the Southeast's unique climate, we wouldn't have nearly as much fresh orange juice or cotton clothing!
Imagine a farmer has a small grove of citrus trees. 1. Each tree produces about oranges per year. 2. If the farmer has trees, we calculate the total: oranges! 3. Because it stays warm, the farmer doesn't have to worry about snow killing the fruit.
Quick Check
Why is the Southeast able to grow crops like oranges that don't grow well in the North?
Answer
The Southeast has a longer growing season and stays warm enough that the plants don't freeze.
A wetland is an area where the land is covered by shallow water, like a swamp or a marsh. The Southeast has some of the biggest wetlands in the world, such as the Everglades in Florida. These areas are very important because they act like giant sponges. When heavy rains fall, the wetlands soak up the extra water so nearby towns don't flood. They are also home to unique animals like alligators and manatees. Trees like the Bald Cypress have adapted to live here by growing 'knees'—roots that poke up above the water to help the tree stay steady in the mud.
During a tropical storm, a wetland area might receive inches of rain. 1. If the wetland can soak up inches of that water, only inches might flow toward the nearby city. 2. Without the wetland, all inches would hit the city at once, causing a flood. 3. This shows how the ecosystem protects humans: inches of runoff.
A city planner is looking at a piece of land that is wetland and dry land. 1. If they build houses on of the wetland, they must protect the remaining to prevent flooding. 2. They must calculate the total protected area: of the total land must be managed carefully to keep the environment healthy.
Which of these states is located in the Southeast region?
What is a major benefit of wetlands like swamps?
The 'growing season' in the Southeast is shorter than in the Northern United States.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the two main crops we discussed and why the Southeast is the best place to grow them.
Practice Activity
Check the tags on your clothes or the labels on your fruit at home. See if you can find anything that was grown or made in a Southeast state like Georgia or Florida!