Childers_ASU_ASM_seminar_Jan2006

Slide 1: 

Coupling Human and Natural Interactions in the Dynamic Coastal Landscape of the Florida Everglades Daniel L. Childers, Florida International Univ.

Slide 2: 

The Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS: Florida International Univ (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sci, Environ.Studies, SERC, IHC) College of William & Mary Rutgers University Texas A&M University University of Louisiana-Lafayette University of Miami University of North Carolina-Wilmington University of South Florida University of Virginia Everglades National Park South Florida Water Management District U.S.G.S., BRD & WRD National Audubon Society

The FCE LTER Central Theme: Following water as it flows from canal to the Gulf of Mexico through 2 different Everglades wetland basins : 

The FCE LTER Central Theme: Following water as it flows from canal to the Gulf of Mexico through 2 different Everglades wetland basins FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect Long-term scenarios affecting land-ocean interactions include: Increased freshwater flows (Everglades Restoration) Sea level rise Possible coastal eutrophication Land-ocean interactions: The “upside down” estuary concept: Oligotrophic, P-limited freshwater Everglades. Marine source of limiting nutrient to estuaries.

The FCE LTER Central Theme: Following water as it flows from canal to the Gulf of Mexico through 2 different Everglades wetland basins : 

The FCE LTER Central Theme: Following water as it flows from canal to the Gulf of Mexico through 2 different Everglades wetland basins FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect Long-term scenarios affecting land-ocean interactions include: Increased freshwater flows (Everglades Restoration) Sea level rise Possible coastal eutrophication Land-ocean interactions: The “upside down” estuary concept: Oligotrophic, P-limited freshwater Everglades. Marine source of limiting nutrient to estuaries.

Simple Conceptual Diagram of FCE I Research : 

Simple Conceptual Diagram of FCE I Research

The FCE LTER Central Hypothesis: Tracking water and ecosystem productivity along these transects from canal to the Gulf of Mexico : 

The FCE LTER Central Hypothesis: Tracking water and ecosystem productivity along these transects from canal to the Gulf of Mexico FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect

The “Upside Down” estuaries: In the oligotrophic Everglades, the Gulf of Mexico is the primary source of the limiting nutrient (P) to the estuaries : 

The “Upside Down” estuaries: In the oligotrophic Everglades, the Gulf of Mexico is the primary source of the limiting nutrient (P) to the estuaries FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect

The FCE LTER Central Theme: We originally hypothesized a peak in ecosystem productivity in the oligohaline region of our SRS transect… : 

The FCE LTER Central Theme: We originally hypothesized a peak in ecosystem productivity in the oligohaline region of our SRS transect… FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect

The FCE LTER Central Theme: ...and we hypothesized no such peak in ecosystem productivity in the oligohaline region of our southern Everglades transect : 

The FCE LTER Central Theme: ...and we hypothesized no such peak in ecosystem productivity in the oligohaline region of our southern Everglades transect FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect

The Shark River Slough Transect : 

The Shark River Slough Transect FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect Characteristics: Direct connection to the Gulf of Mexico. Largest Everglades drainage. Historically = dominant freshwater flow path. Current freshwater inputs controlled by canals & structures.

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-4: Freshwater ecotone, farthest from marine influence : 

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-4: Freshwater ecotone, farthest from marine influence

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-5: Intermediate site : 

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-5: Intermediate site

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-6: Closest to marine influence : 

A virtual boat trip down the Shark River Estuary SRS-6: Closest to marine influence

The Southern Everglades (TS/Ph) Transect : 

The Southern Everglades (TS/Ph) Transect FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect Characteristics: Connection to the Gulf of Mexico only via the shallow Florida Bay estuary. Smaller drainage. Current freshwater inputs controlled by canals & structures.

FCE LTER program quantifies major ecosystem components to follow major energetic and biogeochemical pathways : 

FCE LTER program quantifies major ecosystem components to follow major energetic and biogeochemical pathways

FCE I: What we originally hypothesized : 

FCE I: What we originally hypothesized

FCE I: What we actually learned : 

FCE I: What we actually learned

And on to FCE II….. : 

And on to FCE II…..

The Context: Everglades Restoration : 

The Context: Everglades Restoration

Simple Conceptual Diagram of FCE II Research : 

Simple Conceptual Diagram of FCE II Research

FCE II and Tamiami Trail : 

FCE II and Tamiami Trail FLORIDA SRS Transect TS/Ph Transect Characteristics: Road build in 1920s. Forms a major barrier to north-south water flow. Only 4 W.C. structures & small culverts. Decompartmentalize the landscape by removing the levee.

The Grand ExperimentFreshwater flow will increase along the SRS transect (3.2 km Tamiami Trail Bridge) during FCE II : 

The Grand ExperimentFreshwater flow will increase along the SRS transect (3.2 km Tamiami Trail Bridge) during FCE II

Slide 23: 

Humans and the Everglades, or…can a biophysical scientist talk about social science?Dramatic and rapid changes in the Everglades landscape and hydroscape in the last 100+ years

Slide 24: 

Fresh water: A key ecosystem service provided by the Everglades South Florida’s primary water source is the shallow Biscayne Aquifer, which is recharged by the Everglades

BOTE valuation of ecosystem service - purveyance of fresh water to > 6 million people : 

BOTE valuation of ecosystem service - purveyance of fresh water to > 6 million people South Florida’s primary water source is the shallow Biscayne Aquifer, which is recharged by the Everglades Replacement Cost: $913,000,000 per year

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Land use change as a key human driver putting numerous stresses on the Everglades FCE II Human Dimensions Research

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Established in 1975 Did not appear on Comprehensive Development Master Plan Land Use Map until 1983 Urban Development Boundary

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Has been “amended” many times since 1975 Primarily for residential development (central & south) & rock mining (north) Urban Development Boundary

UDB represents conflicts between environmental & quality of life concerns and economic expansion (“affordable” housing?) : 

UDB represents conflicts between environmental & quality of life concerns and economic expansion (“affordable” housing?)

: 

Most recent “amendment” request in late 2005. 9 large development projects, including several close to the N.Dade wellfields. Urban Development Boundary

Dec 05: M-D County Commission remanded decision to SFRPCJan 06: SFRPC Rejection : 

Dec 05: M-D County Commission remanded decision to SFRPCJan 06: SFRPC Rejection

Why a Human Dimensions effort in FCE II?Preparing for LTER Network-level science : 

Why a Human Dimensions effort in FCE II?Preparing for LTER Network-level science From: LTER Group of 100 Meeting, Nov. 2004 (Sklar et al.)

Slide 33: 

Ecosystem functioning 1/ 2 production, decomposition, nutrient cycling Biotic structure rank-dominance curves, life-history traits Human behavior (society, policy, economics) Ecosystem services food, pest/disease control, erosion control, soil fertility Long-term “press” e.g., N deposition, species invasions, temperature Short-term “pulse” e.g., fire, storms Conceptual Model

Slide 34: 

Ecosystem functioning 1/ 2 production, decomposition, nutrient cycling Biotic structure rank-dominance curves, life-history traits Human behavior (society, policy, economics) Ecosystem services food, pest/disease control, erosion control, soil fertility Long-term “press” e.g., N deposition, species invasions, temperature Short-term “pulse” e.g., fire, storms

Slide 35: 

Ecosystem functioning 1/ 2 production, decomposition, nutrient cycling Biotic structure rank-dominance curves, life-history traits Human behavior (society, policy, economics) Ecosystem services food, pest/disease control, erosion control, soil fertility Long-term “press” e.g., N deposition, species invasions, temperature Short-term “pulse” e.g., fire, storms

Slide 36: 

The Florida Coastal Everglades LTER Program http://fcelter.fiu.edu