Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU

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The US Geological Survey is offering a funding opportunity to members of the South Florida and Caribbean CESU to support research to be performed for the Greater Everglades Ecosystem restoration planning and scenario evaluation. The goal of this study is to better understand the pre-20th century hydrology of the southwestern portion of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, including the Shark River Slough drainage in Everglades National Park (ENP), the coastal mangrove zone of ENP, and Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP). This research will utilize a method developed in prior studies that couples linear regression models of observed hydrologic station data to paleoecologic information from sediment cores in central and southeastern ENP and in Florida Bay. This methodology makes use of the South Florida Water Management Districtâ¿¿s (SFWMD) Natural Systems Model to provide simulated daily variability. For this funding opportunity, will intend to use these previously developed methods to the region of the lower Shark River Slough, the coastal mangrove zone, and Big Cypress. This information is necessary for resource managers and agencies (NPS, USFWS, ACOE, SFWMD) responsible for managing the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to develop performance measures and targets for restoration that will restore more natural function to the ecosystem

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