everglades restoration and the role of science - ecosystem ......•everglades restoration is...

Steve Davis, Senior EcologistThe Everglades Foundation

Everglades Restoration and the Role of Science

, Senior EcologistThe Everglades Foundation

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Ecosystem

The Everglades is South Florida’s water supply

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Lake Okeechobee

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Everglades National

Park

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• Multi-decade decline in small fish

• Peat soil oxidation

• Loss of landscape pattern

• Cattail expansion

• Poor wading bird nest success

• 78 Threatened or Endangered Species

Peat soil oxidation

Loss of landscape pattern

Cattail expansion

CERP Project CERP Project Components

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• State / Federal Partnership

• Water supply & flood control

• Quality, Quantity, Timing and Distribution of water

• Monitoring and modeling

• Adaptive management

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Everglades Agricultural Area

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CENTRAL EVERGLADES REGION

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Lake Okeechobee

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WestPalm Beach

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3 Can we restore lost landscape pattern?

3 Is canal backfill necessary?

Can we restore lost

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Complete Fill

Partial Fill

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Treatment Sites

WCA3A

WCA3B

Control Site

Control Site

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Landward migration of habitats with recent sea level riseLandward migration of habitats with recent sea level riseLandward migration of

Everglades National Park

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Freshwater Sawgrass

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“Assess the rates of peat/sediment accretion and subsidence in coastal and inland freshwater wetlands in the context of sea-level rise”

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!"##$%&• Everglades Restoration is essential for protecting South

Florida’s water supply, freshwater and coastal ecosystems, and economy.

• Everglades science is at the core, helping us to:- document and understand changes in ecosystem health- elucidate ecosystem thresholds- determine management options- refine restoration planning efforts- maximize return on investment

Thank You

www.EvergladesFoundation.org