Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting an interdisciplinary study of the complex ecosystem processes at the interface of the southern Everglades with Florida Bay. Scientific findings derived from hydrologic studies and extensive data collected to characterize the ecosystem properties are being synthesized and integrated into the development of a research tool and management model of the ecosystem. Simulation results produced by the model are being made available for integration with ecological analyses to evaluate the effects of variations in regulated inflows on flora and fauna. Insight that the model provides on sheet flow and tidal interaction along the wetland and Bay boundary is also being provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for development of a circulation model for Florida Bay and to agencies such the National Park Service and the South Florida Water Management District for the development and evaluation of ecosystem restoration plans.