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Everglades addendum to PowerPointSheet flow out of Okeechobee called the “River of Grass” for the vast expanse of sawgrass in the marshThe sheet flow spans as much as 60 miles in width, yet is only six inches deep in some placesThis wetland was degraded severely by water use and diversion for sugar plantations (strong lobby) and other agriculture 1905: Gov. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward began systematic effort to drain the Everglades for agriculture and development. Large tracts were transformed into farmland, and cities (Miami, Fort Lauderdale) sprang up and burgeoned.With increasing human habitation flood control in this essentially-still-wetland was needed. Fed to the rescue… In 1948, the U.S. Congress authorized the Central and South Florida Project , which created the largest water management system in the world. The project involved an extensive network of man-made canals, levees and water control structures that channel 1.7 billion gallons of water daily from the Everglades to the ocean. 433832093853000The direct water flow to the ocean does not get the filtration that would have occurred had it flown through the wetlands.The loss of water changed the natural characteristics of the marsh. Habitat loss was due to drying per se, but also to saltwater intrusions into the marsh from the ocean. Pollution entered from neighboring farms and cities. Changes in water quality stifled the growth of native plants, allowed exotic plants to take root and fueled the growth of algae which worsened the loss of natural habitat. As a result of this cycle continuing for so long the Everglades today is half the size of a century ago.46609013525500Despite the damage that was done in the first half of the 20th century, the Everglades is still considered a national treasure just as extraordinary as the Grand Canyon, the Great Lakes or the Redwood Forests. A remarkable coalition of highly diverse and bipartisan interests has joined forces to make the restoration possible.To revive and protect this national treasure, Florida is undertaking the largest environmental ecosystem restoration in the world. It is Florida’s top priority to improve the quality of life for all south Floridians, provide adequate water supply for south Florida’s growing population and provide improved flood control, while preserving America’s Everglades and Florida’s Liquid Heart – Lake Okeechobee - and protecting natural wildlife and plants for future generations.2000: State funding of the Everglades Restoration Investment Act to fund Florida’s 50 % (cost-share), complimenting Federal investment, to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)FYI—for further interest, here is a well composed, thorough timeline arraying major events, esp. legislation and actions by Fed and State: economic analysis of the restoration problem, including ecosystem services is available here: much is the project likely to cost and what is the benefit cost ratio? (Note CBS news reports $20b has already been spent)Here, graphically, is the plan:”When [alligators] are not doing well, something has gone wrong with the ecosystem. They are the canary in the coal mine.” “[R]edirecting water dramatically polluted and shrank the wildlife refuge. About a century ago, the Everglades stretched about 4 million acres, but today that's down to about 1.9 million acres.” (per link above) Also—invasive species...3601720-5397500INVASIVE SPECIESMiami is a port town—deals with imports of many exotics. Releases and escapes of exotics have plagued the Everglades. In some rivers all one may catch in a day would be (inedible) armored catfish 015049500Left: Non-natives impact native species. A dead 6’ American alligator burst forth from this 13’ Burmese python in Everglades National Park. Maybe the exotic snakes should stick to 5’ alligators. (ASSOCIATED PRESS/EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK / October 5, 2005)-35750511176000Right: Natives fight back—water moccasin (cottonmouth) eating nonnative armored catfish.“… assorted characters of death and blight…” —?20% of fisherman in south Florida target exotic species 443674545085002223770450850076201333500 Good video on physical system here (in class; 3 min)The following Everglades video is black comedy. View it ironically, to understand the social mindset that led to the destruction of this national treasure. This is a masterpiece of old timey propaganda in service to views of nature that are inverse to what we know and value today about conservation and resource sustainability: (26 min—first few enough; first minute in class)Another good site and vid framing the problems: (note the near extinction of Everglades wetland birds for stupid human vanity. sound judgy? you be the judge)Some good newsLocal restoration project: (3:04; in class)Local conservation cooperative: In summation—Ecosystem services of wetlandsHydrologic (e.g. Atlas chap 1; 20 quadrillion # water vapor annually from lakes)Aesthetic & recreation (part of heritage, beauty, and bounty of America)Water storage & supply (public water supplies, irrigation, industry)Transport (e.g. Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway worth $54 billion annually)Food (e.g. $214 billion in saltwater fishing)Energy (e.g. see hydropower chapter in Atlas)Erosion prevention (any standing or sluggish water habitat is preventing runoff from carrying away large soil volumes)Biodiversity (many unique plant, animal, and microbe species; very productive habitats)Flood protection (water storage)Groundwater recharge (infiltration from rainfall on land is minimal except where water pools, that is, wetlands, and ekes in continually)Water purification (biofilm and plants perform nutrient removal and toxin sequestration)Nursery grounds (productivity of habitat supports life cycles of many animals such as birds, etc.) ................
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