The Everglades Agricultural Area in South Florida is the home of the most unique and fertile soils in the country—organic-rich Histosols with over 80% organic matter. These soils, once part of a vast wetland ecosystem, have been drained over the past century to support agriculture, especially sugarcane, rice, and vegetables. But beneath this productivity lies a hidden concern: decades of phosphorus fertilizer use have created a massive reserve of legacy phosphorus.

Hosted by Xue Bai and Anik Mahmud. Music by Lucas Crane.