Science and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration An Assessment of the Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative (2003) / Chapter Skim
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5 CESI Science in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration
5 CESI Science in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration
Pages 63-83
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From page 63... ...
It is these uncertainties that necessitated that an adaptive management strategy for the restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem be embraced, leading Congress to require that an adaptive management approach be the foundation of the CERP in the Water Resources Development of Act of 2000 (WRDA 2000~. As noted in Chapter 2, the CEST program was originally funded to provide science support for the Restudy, which later became the CERP.
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From page 64... ...
The following sections describe the role of science within this fundamental restoration management framework and evaluate the contributions of the CESI program to this process in South Florida. ~ It is important to note that successful application of an adaptive management framework requires more than just these four elements (e.g., collaborative working relationships, trust)
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From page 65... ...
The CERP provides the cornerstone of the greater restoration effort, as the overarching goal of the CERP is to "Get the wa
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From page 66... ...
For example, the CESI-funded project Analyzing Historical Data to Set Restoration Targets for Wading Bird Nesting in South Florida was instrumental in setting wading bird targets for the CERP Monitoring and Assessment Plan (USAGE, 2001~. Other CESI-funded projects have had a similar effect on identifying restoration targets through direct experimentation and monitoring related to tree island evolution, animal population dynamics and distributions, exotic vegetation distribution and control, and water quality.
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From page 67... ...
LEARNING AS T[l ~ FOUNDATION FOR RESTORATION MANAGEMENT The CERP component of the greater Everglades ecosystem restoration effort relies on adaptive management and new learning to support development of project-specific details with time. For this approach to be effective, learning must be embedded in all phases of the restoration from planning, engineering design, and project construction to operation and management of the system.
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From page 68... ...
68 Science and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration
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From page 69... ...
For example, the CESI program helped fund the development of the Dynamic Model for the Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas, which is being used to assess the expected water-treatment performance of the detention ponds under construction on the eastern edge of Everglades National Park (Walker and KadIec, 2002~. Information gained from this model will assist restoration planners as they evaluate the need for additional water-treatment options.
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From page 70... ...
A strong information synthesis capability supported by a well-designed information management system will make it possible to learn from interactions among restoration projects and across the entire South Florida ecosystem. Synthesis in complex multidisciplinary settings will reveal risks and uncertainties that must be understood so that appropriate resiliency will be incorporated into restoration plans.
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From page 71... ...
and its organizational obligation to advise the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force has hindered synthesis. Recent efforts toward synthesis have been made by the REstoration, COordination, and VERification (RECOVER)
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From page 72... ...
No central information management system exists to support information synthesis of South Florida's vast ecosystem monitoring and research data. The result is that land managers must currently make special efforts to seek out relevant CESI research, identify other related studies and their results, and interpret the findings to draw regional conclusions.
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From page 73... ...
INTEGRATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE INTO RESTORATION EFFORTS Integration of the knowledge generated by synthesis into the ongoing processes of restoration planning, evaluation, construction, and operation will require effective communication and coordination among the restoration scientists, engineers, planners, and managers, who traditionally have operated in separate spheres. However, the complexity of the greater Everglades ecosystem restoration effort and the substantial uncertainty regarding ecosystem response to hydrological change necessitate feedback throughout the process.
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From page 74... ...
Accelerated Timetables of Restoration Arguably, the greatest barrier to the integration of science into restoration is the compressed timetable for the CERP and other restoration projects. Discrepancies in the time lines between the project design decisions and the generation, analysis, and synthesis of research results create broad tensions.
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From page 75... ...
The compressed timetable for the CERP and other restoration projects and the resulting lag in availability of research results relative to the start of restoration project planning (see Chapter 2) reiterate the necessity of developing an effective approach to adaptive management in the early stages of South Florida ecosystem restoration.
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From page 76... ...
Funding recently allocated to DOT for CERP-related projects, including funding for the hiring of many additional employees, will help reduce this problem, although continued attention is needed to ensure adequate involvement of researchers in the restoration planning and implementation process. Given the decades it will take for greater Everglades ecosystem restoration, it is critical that the CERP-designated funds recently allocated to the base operations of the U.S.
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From page 77... ...
For example, among those involved in the South Florida restoration, some view restoration from the perspective of implementing projects that provide flood control and water supply in addition to restoration goals; others view the effort in the context of pursuing as full and as extensive a restoration scenario as possible while Reemphasizing individual human services the restoration may provide. In this example, though the goal of restoration is the same, the visions behind that goal are still far apart.
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From page 78... ...
suggests a limited role, since the CERP currently represents only about half of the funds being spent on South Florida ecosystem restoration (see Figure 1-5~. To facilitate comprehensive restoration science synthesis across the multiple restoration science programs currently in place, the broader restoration requires a single overarching entity to provide scientific vision and coordinate scientific efforts beyond the boundaries of RECOVER and the CEST program.
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From page 79... ...
The current CESI program provides a strategic framework for addressing critical DOT science needs. The value of a science program focused specifically on DOT's needs and responsibilities within the South Florida ecosystem restoration is great, since the CEST program is the principal vehicle by which the NPS and FWS can evaluate how restoration activities might impact Everglades National Park and other federal lands and resources in South Florida.
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From page 80... ...
80 Science and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration purpose, continuity, and independence from changing policy imperatives will be critical elements. Synthesis and integration are essential to enable management agencies to adapt to emerging knowledge, correct mistakes, and minimize waste of public funds.
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From page 81... ...
CESI Science in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration 81
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82 Science and the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration
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CESI Science in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration 83
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