Florida Everglades

Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open source imagery and bathymetric data obtained from several agencies, Florida Marine Tracks (FMT) has compiled an electronic navigation product with complete coverage of all Florida’s coasts and waterways, including the Keys and the Florida Bay regions. Additionally, tracks and routes through marked and unmarked channels provide ground tested navigation paths in environmentally sensitive areas, including where prop scarring frequently occurs. FMT, a cartographic development company which specializes in marine navigation products, has partnered with Navico Inc., to incorporate the FMT map on an encoded SDHC chip which can be used in Navico chartplotters. In fact, the FMT project of mapping Florida’s coastal and inland waterways has proven to be the largest mapping project of any of Navico’s partners.
The use of Global Mapper throughout this project has provided several key advantages over other GIS programs, making it ideal for analysis involving navigational and cartographic development. In fact, Global Mapper was specifically chosen because of its friendly graphical user interface. Several conversion options, such as the raster clipping options using the digitizer tools, and projection options found in the configuration window, allow for user friendly raster conversions and exports. Additionally, converting imagery file formats to allow for transparency of pixel values can also be easily accomplished using the raster options found in the overlay control center. Lastly, control of exports using bounding boxes, pixel widths, and file formats are streamlined and convenient when working with large datasets of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The use of this powerful software, in conjunction with the latest dataset of aerial photography and bathymetric data, has resulted in the production of a marine navigation software package which incorporates visual aids, fluctuating tidal data, and other statistics into a single SDHC chip which can be used to ensure a safe boating experience throughout all of Florida’s coastlines.

tSix large-scale wetland restoration case studies are presented here, three of which relate to ecologicalengineering of coastlines, and three of which relate to large-scale watershed improvements that in turn lead to improvement of downstream aquatic ecosystems. All of these case studies suggest that there is much more to restoration than returning a system to what it was before, particularly given the drastic changes to the physical and chemical environment.

Several significant finds resulting from this investigation will considerably alter our understanding of the human prehistory and settlement of the Everglades. One is that five Late Archaic sites were identified that date considerably earlier than previously thought for the interior Everglades. Sour Orange, Poinciana, Irongrape, Heartleaf, and Grossman's Hammocks all contained deeply buried, well-preserved archaeological deposits indicating that Archaic peoples hunted, fished, processed food, manufactured marine shell tools, built fires, and lived along the developing Everglades tree island landscape over 5000 years ago. Several sites contain examples of the first manufactured pottery types (fiber-tempered) in North America, while others are pre-ceramic, suggesting the possibility of different groups migrating into the region.

I discovered Dexter on bus stops in Paris. Advertisements for the series. I was curious. I got the omnibus, the first three novels. Then I was infested and I ordered the first four seasons or so and all the books and since then the sequels and new seasons.

I have lost some mental weight with him but I think he is becoming slightly too religious in his sixth season, and what’s more very one-sided, or should I say three-sided? I am not sure since the three religions behind it all come from the same melting pot.

What is interesting is the idea that some people have a dark passenger who makes them kill, and that dark passenger is a guest that comes in when a child is traumatized in a way or another in his/her very young age. That’s slightly simple minded. But that creates a good character for a thriller, especially when one of these criminals with dark passengers has been trained or retrained – in order to be refrained – into only killing people who deserve to die because they are evil. I have already seen that in Anne Rice’s vampires, witches and recently werewolves.

But what is evil, great master?

Evil is what I consider evil, though killing is what makes me full, gives me happiness, and what’s more it replaces any kind of enjoyment. This darkly-inhabited social protector comes, or should I write cums, by killing and in killing. The rest is nothing but blah blah to feel better, though he will never tell anyone.

And imagine your own sister seeing you in the act ! ! ! Yum, yum, I like that indeed. And pass me the knife over and pass me the salt over and pass me the red blood over.

Unluckily it got short lived on TV with its eighth season when he gets “killed” and in fact escape punishment. But he also gets killed in the eighth book and this time sloppily, rapidly, urgently. Killed, disposed of and liquidated. The author is obviously bored with his character and since a character is expendable, let’s kill him and forget about it

Shame on you! No author gas that divine right of life and death!

This essay for the last documenta 14 issue of South as a State of Mind, reflects on contemporary processes of eco-genocide in so-called Florida, and on the 2016 struggle of Indigenous water protectors at Standing Rock, North Dakota. It can be read online here: South as a State Mind 9
http://www.documenta14.de/en/south/25218_resisting_extinction_standing_rock_eco_genocide_and_survival

The important role of humans in either forming or inhabiting fixed tree islands in the Everglades is now well documented. In almost all fixed tree islands investigated, dense prehistoric middens containing bone, shell, and artifacts are present and make up a large volume of the soil material examined. We present information on the pedological analysis of two fixed tree islands located in Shark River Slough within Everglades National Park to determine their soil properties and relate those to their natural and anthropic genesis. The soils on tree island heads are carbon- and carbonate-rich mineral soils that have developed above the outcropping limestone bedrock. Most fixed tree islands contain a petrocalcic horizon (a secondary calcium- or magnesium-carbonate cemented horizon) sometimes called calcrete on topographic highs on island heads. The petrocalcic horizon may be mistaken for limestone bedrock (and thus the lower limit of the soil profile) and that mistake may lead to a mistake in dating the age of the islands if the soil and artifacts are not sampled below the cemented layer. Radiocarbon dated sediments and archaeological materials indicate that fixed tree islands began their development sometime around 4500 to 5000 yr BP, when water in the Everglades was at a lower level. These dates may cause new hypotheses in the rate of petrocalcic formation and initiation of tree island formation. At the very least, the formation of petrocalcic horizons in humid to aquic environments is now established and should be investigated further.

This paper considers issues raised while working at the intersection of anthropology and visual art in Everglades National Park and during the months that followed. Based on a May 2019 residency as an AIRIE (Artist in Residence in Everglades) fellow, the material expression of my efforts consists of volumes of visual fieldnotes and what I call anthro-artists' books. For this paper I take an intimate route, one that foregrounds the experience of being in a place and attempting work at disciplinary intersections. Set against a backdrop of theoretical issues in both anthropology and art as well as overarching social, cultural, ecological, and political concerns of the region, the resulting journals and handmade books are meant to create an emotional, emplaced, and bodily experience for the people who engage with them. — The paper is available https://doi.org/10.1086/718320

We report on net ecosystem production (NEP) and key environmental controls on net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of carbon dioxide (CO2) between a mangrove forest and the atmosphere in the coastal Florida Everglades. An eddy covariance system deployed above the canopy was used to determine NEE during January 2004 through August 2005. Maximum daytime NEE ranged from −20 to −25 μmol

Abstract  Florida gar, Lepisosteus platyrhincus DeKay, were sampled in two canal systems in south Florida during 2000–2001 to estimate age, growth and mortality as part of the Everglades ecosystem-restoration effort. Tamiami (C-4) and L-31W canal systems had direct connections to natural wetlands of the Everglades and harboured large Florida gar populations. Of 476 fish aged, maximum ages were 19 and 10 years for females and males, respectively. Maximum sizes were also larger for females compared with males (817 vs 602 mm total length). Overall, female Florida gar from both Tamiami and L-31W were larger at age than males from L-31W that, in turn, were larger at any given age than males from Tamiami. Females also had lower rates of annual mortality (Z = 0.21) than males from L-31W (Z = 0.31) or males from Tamiami (Z = 0.54). As a large and long-lived apex predator in the Everglades, Florida gar may structure lower trophic levels. Regional- and sex-specific population parameters for Florida gar will contribute to the simulation models designed to evaluate Everglades restoration alternatives.

Eddy covariance (EC) estimates of carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes and energy balance are examined to investigate the functional responses of a mature mangrove forest to a disturbance generated by Hurricane Wilma on October 24, 2005 in the Florida Everglades. At the EC site, high winds from the hurricane caused nearly 100% defoliation in the upper canopy and widespread tree mortality.

The Florida Everglades is a subtropical wetland dominated byCladium jamaicense(sawgrass), a native sedge that forms extensive, monospecific stands. Sawgrass exhibits several modes of reproduction, including sexual (seed production) and asexual (rhizome propagation) types. In this study, the occurrence of vegetative proliferation on the reproductive organs of sawgrass, a phenomenon otherwise known in arctic-alpine habitats, was observed. This is the first

Understanding the hydrologic patterns in vast wetland ecosystems has proven to be a difficult
task. Most of the world’s wetland ecosystems are not adequately monitored for water level, flow, or discharge,
and where these are monitored, gauges are usually located on the largest rivers or lakes and canals
rather than in the seasonally flooded areas. Even those wetlands that have the most extensive networks of
gauges are not sufficiently covered to understand the finer-scale spatial dynamics of hydrologic condition.
However, high-density in situ monitoring of stage, flow, and discharge of vast wetland complexes would be
prohibitively expensive, even in a region such as south Florida, USA where considerable resources are
devoted to water management. Several techniques are presented that were developed to use Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to remotely detect, monitor, and map regional scale spatial and temporal Understanding the hydrologic patterns in vast wetland ecosystems has proven to be a difficult
task. Most of the world’s wetland ecosystems are not adequately monitored for water level, flow, or discharge,
and where these are monitored, gauges are usually located on the largest rivers or lakes and canals
rather than in the seasonally flooded areas. Even those wetlands that have the most extensive networks of
gauges are not sufficiently covered to understand the finer-scale spatial dynamics of hydrologic condition.
However, high-density in situ monitoring of stage, flow, and discharge of vast wetland complexes would be
prohibitively expensive, even in a region such as south Florida, USA where considerable resources are
devoted to water management. Several techniques are presented that were developed to use Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to remotely detect, monitor, and map regional scale spatial and temporal Understanding the hydrologic patterns in vast wetland ecosystems has proven to be a difficult
task. Most of the world’s wetland ecosystems are not adequately monitored for water level, flow, or discharge,
and where these are monitored, gauges are usually located on the largest rivers or lakes and canals
rather than in the seasonally flooded areas. Even those wetlands that have the most extensive networks of
gauges are not sufficiently covered to understand the finer-scale spatial dynamics of hydrologic condition.
However, high-density in situ monitoring of stage, flow, and discharge of vast wetland complexes would be
prohibitively expensive, even in a region such as south Florida, USA where considerable resources are
devoted to water management. Several techniques are presented that were developed to use Synthetic Aperture
Radar (SAR) satellite imagery to remotely detect, monitor, and map regional scale spatial and temporal changes in wetland hydrology. This study shows that SAR imagery can be used to create inundation maps
of relative soil moisture and flooding in non-woody wetlands. A comparison of in situ water-level data
collected from 1997 to 1999 at 12 test sites to SAR imagery revealed that relative backscatter within a site
does vary in a linear fashion with changes in water levels. Using SAR imagery collected between 1997 and
1999, inundation maps were created at approximately bi-monthly periods for the south Florida region. This
time series of inundation/soil moisture maps (1997–1999) reveals the spatial and temporal variation in degree
of flooding in the Greater Everglades, which is information previously unavailable from ground-based observations
alone. In addition, hydroperiod maps were created based on a temporal series of 14 months of SAR imagery.

The Cape Sable seaside-sparrow (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis) has disappeared from its only known breeding areas episodically since its discovery early this century. Systematic surveys across its range in the southern Everglades find the sparrow's range to be fragmented into six subpopulations. The sparrow population decreased by 58% between 1992 and 1995, with the near extinction of the western half of the population and the temporary local extinction of some eastern populations. Other similar grassland sparrows have populations that vary considerably from year to year. Yet the decline in the western subpopulation and the local extinction of some of the peripheral populations cannot be explained by natural variability alone. Hurricane Andrew passed over several subpopulations prior to the particularly poor year of 1993. However, the geographical and temporal patterns of subpopulation decline are not consistent with what would be expected following a hurricane. Frequent fires prevent successful breeding as does flooding during the breeding season. Better management can prevent frequent fires and episodic flooding. However, the long-term survival of the sparrow depends on managing the unanticipated risks that attend its small, fragmented population.

... Susan M. Sogardl, George VN Powell & Jeff G. Holmquist2 National Audubon Society Research Department, 115 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernier, FL 33070 ... between day and night occurs in tropical coral reef habitats (Hobson 1965, Hob-son 1972, Collette & Talbot 1972) and ...

Abstract: Florida Bay is a shallow lagoonal estuary divided into basins by a latticework of mud banks, which exert a disproportionate influence on the bay ecosystem. Prevailing northeasterly winds resulted in distinct sheltered and exposed sides on narrow banks, the ...

The Florida Everglades is a mosaic of short and long-hydroperiod marshes that differ in the depth, duration, and timing of inundation. Algae are important primary producers in widespread Everglades’ periphyton mats, but relationships of algal production and community structure to hydrologic variability are poorly understood. We quantified differences in algal biomass and community structure between periphyton mats in 5 short and 6 long-hydroperiod marshes in Everglades National Park (ENP) in October 2000. We related differences to water depth and total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the water, periphyton and soils. Long and short-hydroperiod marshes differed in water depth (73 cm vs. 13 cm), periphyton TP concentrations (172μg g−1 vs. 107 μg g−1, respectively) and soil TP (284 μg g−1 vs. 145 μg g−1). Periphyton was abundant in both marshes, with short-hydroperiod sites having greater biomass than long-hydroperiod sites (2936 vs. 575 grams ash-free dry mass m−2). A total of 156 algal taxa were identified and separated into diatom (68 species from 21 genera) and “soft algae” (88 non-diatom species from 47 genera) categories for further analyses. Although diatom total abundance was greater in long-hydroperiod mats, diatom species richness was significantly greater in short- hydroperiod periphyton mats (62 vs. 47 diatom taxa). Soft algal species richness was greater in long-hydroperiod sites (81 vs. 67 soft algae taxa). Relative abundances of individual taxa were significantly different among the two site types, with soft algal distributions being driven by water depth, and diatom distributions by water depth and TP concentration in the water and periphyton. Periphyton communities differ between short and long-hydroperiod marshes, but because they share many taxa, alterations in hydroperiod could rapidly promote the alternate community.

As part of a multi-agency study of alligator health, 28 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) were captured along a transect through the Florida Everglades in 1999. Liver and tail muscle tissues were sampled and analyzed on a wet weight basis for total mercury (THg) using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry. All tissues had detectable concentrations of THg that ranged from 0.6 to 17 mg/kg in liver and from 0.1 to 1.8 mg/kg in tail muscle. THg was more concentrated in liver tissue than tail muscle, but levels were highly correlated between tissues. THg concentrations in tissue differed significantly among locations, with animals from Everglades National Park (ENP) having mean concentrations of THg in liver (10.4 mg/kg) and tail muscle (1.2 mg/kg) that were two-fold higher than basin-wide averages (4.9 and 0.64 mg/kg, respectively). The reasons for higher contamination of ENP alligators were unclear and could not be explained by differences in sex, length, weight...