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Integrated Science for Everglades Restoration: Meeting Tomorrow's Challenges

This article explores the importance of integrated science in the restoration and management of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. It highlights the need for data-driven decision making and adaptive management to address the challenges posed by climate change and population growth.

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Integrated Science for Everglades Restoration: Meeting Tomorrow's Challenges

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  1. GEER 2008| Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges: Integrated Science for the EvergladesMark Myers, Director, U.S. Geological SurveyJuly 29, 2008 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

  2. The Nature of USGS Science • An independent fact-finding agency; no basis for advocacy • No natural resource management responsibilities • USGS supports all DOI bureaus with science information • Science resources leveraged in partnership with more than 2,000 agencies:. State, local, tribal governments . Academic community . Other Federal allies . Non-governmental organizations . Private sector

  3. Science – a bridge to rational solutions Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative - New York Times February 8, 2006 By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Despite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century Copper prices set another recordBy Dale Funk, Contributing EditorApr 1, 2006 12:00 PMWhile most wire and cable industry veterans and commodity analysts expected 2006 to be a year of moderation for copper prices, when copper jumped 9.45 cents to nearly $2.36 a pound on March 17 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, it set another record. A British experts report on climate change warns that failure to curb global warming could trigger worldwide economic devastation, with poor countries hit first and hardest.  Prime Minister Tony Blair called for urgent international action.

  4. Finding balance: environment and people

  5. Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change Energy and Minerals for America’s Future A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health A Water Census of the United States Climate Variability and Change Data Integration and Beyond USGS Science Strategy Directions

  6. Understanding Earth Systems • All earth resources interrelated. • Climate change, population growth accelerate difficulties, complexity. • USGS science strategy based on systems approach.

  7. Ecosystem Structure Rock and Soil Fungi Climate Animals and Vegetation

  8. Ecosystem Mapping and Analysis

  9. Ecosystem Services Goods and services of value to humans that come from natural systems Not fully valued in economic discussions, societal decisions Markets insufficient to convey benefits of ecosystems

  10. USGS National Science Strategy: Relevance for Everglades Restoration Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change Energy and Minerals for America’s Future A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health A Water Census of the United States Climate Variability and Change Data Integration and Beyond

  11. USGS Provisional Map Lostmans River Ranger Station Quadrangle, 2007

  12. 1947 Everglades National Park designated 1930s 1947 C&SF Project Authorized Muck fires Extensive floods 1948 Historical Changes early 1900s 1926 & 1928 mid 1800s Agricultural development begins Settlement continues… Catastrophic hurricanes…

  13. Future Everglades Ecosystem Historic flow Current flow Future flow

  14. Adaptive Management the key to Everglades Restoration “The Committee does not expect rigid adherence to the Plan as it was submitted to Congress. This result would be inconsistent with the adaptive assessment principles in the Plan….Instead the Committee expects that the agencies….will seek continuous improvements of the Plan based on new information, improved modeling, new technology and changed circumstances.” Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works July 27, 2000

  15. DOI Adaptive Management Technical Guide • Completed in 2007 • Signed by the DOI Secretary • Describes why, what, and how to manage DOI resourceswith AM • Learning through management, then adjusting management based on what is learned

  16. Managing our lands for the future • A systems approach helps reveal the nature of earth systems • Climate change, population growth present • critical challenges at all scales of land management • We need • all available data acquired through multiple technologies • the best management techniques • an integrated science perspective to make wise decisions

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