The Florida Everglades ecosystem is recognized worldwide as a significant wetland whose natural processes have been altered and remain threatened. State and Federal United States agencies face critical decisions about the course of conservation and restoration efforts. Synthesizing nearly ten years of laboratory and field research of the Duke University Wetland Center, The Everglades Experiments: Lessons for Ecosystem Restoration, provides the long-term integrated scientific studies needed to understand the functioning of this region. The fundamental issues that the research addressed are: 1) The effects of increased nutrients and water inputs on the native plant and animal communities of theEverglades 2) The long-term nutrient storage capacity of the Everglades 3) The effects of changes in water level and hydroperiod on Everglades period and function 4) Management and restoration of the natural communities of the Everglades. Background information about current and historical ecological conditions of the region set the context for reports of long-term research projects. A series of gradient studies determining the effects of hydrology and nutrient changes are presented, followed by field experiments that have tested those findings. INDICE: From the contents Introduction. The Hydrologic Status of the Everglades, Past and Present Alteration Effects. Soils of the Everglades Landscape.Vegetation of the Everglades. Ecological Status of the Everglades: Historicaland Current Comparisons of Ecosystem Structure and Function. Long-term Water Chemistry Along Nutrient and Hydrologic Gradients. Hydrology Gradients in the Everglades. Soil Chemistry and P Storage Along Nutrient Gradients. Patterns ofAlgal Assemblages Along a Phosphorus Gradient. Macrophyte Community Responsesto Long-term Nutrient Additions, Altered Hydroperiod and Fire. Invertebrates Along a Nutrient Gradient in the Northern Everglades. Historical Gradient Changes in Vegetation, Water Quality and Hydrology in WCA-2A as Determined by Paleoecological Analysis. A Mesocosm Approach to Establishment of Phosphorus Dosing Gradients in the Everglades. Water Quality and Soil Chemistry responses to PDosing.
- ISBN: 978-0-387-98796-5
- Editorial: Springer
- Encuadernacion: Cartoné
- Páginas: 505
- Fecha Publicación: 01/05/2008
- Nº Volúmenes: 1
- Idioma: Inglés