Ecological Model Support for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project
The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
The Science Issue and Relevance: Ecological models facilitate evaluation of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to management decisions. The Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Project (BBSEER) is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which was approved by Congress as a framework for the restoration of the natural system. The BBSEER seeks to identify opportunities for ecosystem restoration of nearshore conditions and coastal wetlands of Biscayne Bay, Manatee Bay, Card Sound, and Barnes Sound; the freshwater wetlands of the Model Lands and the Southern Glades; and other wetlands adjacent to these areas. JEM will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the BBSSER.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The JEM team will run a suite of nine ecological models using BBSEER hydrologic baseline conditions using downscaled hydrology data from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The models are: (1) Marl Prairie Habitat Indicator, (2) Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS) Helper, (3) CSSS Viewer, (4) (native) Florida apple snail population model (EverSnail), (5) EverWaders, (6) Small-sized freshwater fish density (7) Days Since Drydown, (8) Alligator Habitat Suitability Index (HSI), and (9) Everglades Vulnerability Analysis (EVA). The team will also run the models using a series of alternative hydrologic restoration scenarios received from the SFWMD and produce visualizations of model outputs to assist with the evaluation of scenarios.
Future Steps: Model outputs will be used to (1) provide insight into how alternative restoration plans compare in terms of ecological performance, (2) indicate whether any alternatives could lead to unintended ecological conditions, and (3) determine effects of alternatives that could conflict with other CERP goals.
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Helper
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Wader Distribution & Evaluation Modeling (WADEM)
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow Marl Prairie Indicator
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: EverSnail
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Alligator Production Probability Model
Joint Ecosystem Modeling: Greater Everglades Modeling Decision Support Tools
Advanced Technological Solutions in Support of Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystem Science: Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM)
The Joint Ecosystem Modeling team will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Restoration Project.
The Science Issue and Relevance: Ecological models facilitate evaluation of alternative approaches to restore the Greater Everglades ecosystem. However, the provision of useful and accessible models is a challenge because there is often a disconnect between model output and its use by decision makers. Joint Ecosystem Modeling (JEM) meets this challenge by providing ecological model output tailored to management decisions. The Biscayne Bay and Southeastern Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Project (BBSEER) is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which was approved by Congress as a framework for the restoration of the natural system. The BBSEER seeks to identify opportunities for ecosystem restoration of nearshore conditions and coastal wetlands of Biscayne Bay, Manatee Bay, Card Sound, and Barnes Sound; the freshwater wetlands of the Model Lands and the Southern Glades; and other wetlands adjacent to these areas. JEM will provide model output for a suite of ecological models to aid in restoration decision planning for the BBSSER.
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: The JEM team will run a suite of nine ecological models using BBSEER hydrologic baseline conditions using downscaled hydrology data from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The models are: (1) Marl Prairie Habitat Indicator, (2) Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow (CSSS) Helper, (3) CSSS Viewer, (4) (native) Florida apple snail population model (EverSnail), (5) EverWaders, (6) Small-sized freshwater fish density (7) Days Since Drydown, (8) Alligator Habitat Suitability Index (HSI), and (9) Everglades Vulnerability Analysis (EVA). The team will also run the models using a series of alternative hydrologic restoration scenarios received from the SFWMD and produce visualizations of model outputs to assist with the evaluation of scenarios.
Future Steps: Model outputs will be used to (1) provide insight into how alternative restoration plans compare in terms of ecological performance, (2) indicate whether any alternatives could lead to unintended ecological conditions, and (3) determine effects of alternatives that could conflict with other CERP goals.