The Everglades vulnerability analysis—Integrating ecological models and addressing uncertainty

Abstract

The Everglades is a large (about 47,000 square kilometers), unique subtropical wetland ecosystem in central and south Florida. This ecosystem provides habitat for many endemic and endangered species, offers protection against flooding, and supplies south Florida with a substantial amount of its water supply. In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–541), which authorized the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The CERP seeks to improve the timing, distribution, and quality of water flow through The Everglades to facilitate the recovery of the unique habitats historically present in the system. Restoration of The Everglades is one of the largest and most expensive ecological restoration efforts in the world, and its implementation requires extensive cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that restoration efforts are successful (LoSchiavo and others, 2013).