The river of grass so elegantly described by Marjory Stoneman Douglas epitomizes much of the natural component of the South Florida ecosystem — but not all of it. The natural system extends from the Chain of Lakes south of Orlando to the reefs surrounding historic Fort Jefferson southwest of the Florida Keys. Originally, water in this system flowed freely over low-lying lands and into coastal estuaries. This expansive "river" covered almost 11,000 square miles, creating a mosaic of ponds, sloughs, sawgrass marshes, hardwood hammocks, and forested uplands. In and around the estuaries, freshwater mingled with salt to create habitats supporting mangroves and nurseries for wading birds and fish. Beyond, near-shore islands and coral reefs provided shelter for an array of terrestrial and marine life. For thousands of years these intricate relationships evolved into a finely balanced system that formed the biological infrastructure for the southern half of the state.

This unique system has three main characteristics. First, it is very flat. Across the 100 miles between Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay there is less than a 20-foot drop in elevation. Second, the system extends over an enormous spatial area and contains varied flora, fauna, and physical landscapes. Third, and most important, it is a water-dominated, rain-driven system characterized by dynamic water storage and the shallow sheetflow of water.

These factors combine to create an environment containing some of the greatest biodiversity found on earth. Wetlands, estuaries, and shoals exist elsewhere. But nowhere in the world do they combine in the unique way that is found in South Florida.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

Because of its natural assets, the region historically has attracted newcomers. The warm weather and sandy beaches beckoned tourists, while the fertile soils of the glades — once drained — made vast areas available to food production. Trains, and later cars and aircraft, made the region more accessible to visitors. Air conditioning made South Florida more inhabitable for full-time residence. Seaports and sparkling water added another dimension. The area attracted money as well as people, giving rise to other growth industries — and to a high quality of life. For much of the 20th century, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach were the places to be.

Today almost 5 million people reside on the east coast of South Florida alone, and by 2050 the number is expected to rise to 12 million. Urban areas located mainly along the coast now support a staggering array of human sights, sounds, cultures, and economies. Development and growth have transformed large tracts of wetlands, native rangelands, and upland habitat into cropland and housing developments. Urban centers support national and international commerce and related industries, such as tourism and fishing. Growing ethnic neighborhoods underscore the region's role as a place for immigrants to seek new lives.

AN ECOSYSTEM IN DECLINE

The dramatic increase in population — and its associated development — have greatly strained the natural system. Half of the original wetlands are gone due to drainage, and many of the remaining natural habitats are significantly altered and disconnected from each other by canals, roads, and other man-made features. Urban stormwater and past agricultural practices have polluted Lake Okeechobee and disrupted the balance of nutrients in wetland areas to the south. Each year, 2 million acre-feet of water are being lost from the natural system through direct discharge of agricultural and urban stormwater into estuaries and from unnatural seepage. Areas that historically supported numerous tropical and neotropical plants and animals are now dominated by invasive, exotic species.

On the other side of the coin, urban and suburban areas in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as rapidly growing west coast communities, face equally severe problems — crime, social and ethnic tension, under employment, environmentally contaminated sites (brownfields), and recurring water shortages. The enviable quality of life of South Florida is at risk.

ROOTS OF DEGRADATION

The roots of ecosystem degradation lie mainly in human attitudes. Early land developers viewed the Everglades and its related habitats as worthless swamps. The dream of reclaiming the swampland took hold in the first half of the 1800s. Initial efforts were largely ineffectual, but the no-tion of draining the vast wetland for agriculture and development persisted. Little by little, canals, roads, and buildings displaced native habitats.

The Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) Project realized the vision of early developers on a massive scale. Work started in 1950 and resulted in the construction of almost 2,000 miles of canals and levees, over 200 control and diversion structures, 25 navigational locks, and 56 railroad bridges. Two of the project's purposes, and benefits, were to: (1) provide water and flood protection for urban and agricultural lands and (2) ensure a water supply for Everglades National Park.

When completed, the C&SF Project opened the doors for unprecedented growth. It also resulted in the alteration, and in some cases, the destruction of the region's hydropattern — the quantity, timing, and distribution of water flow through the ecosystem.

This project arose in response to public outcries for flood control. Historically, the natural system absorbed excess water during wet seasons and served as a reservoir during dry periods. Drainage of wetlands and the construction of canals curtailed this moderating effect, resulting in a series of devastating floods and droughts that were further exacerbated by unusually powerful hurricanes during the first half of the century. These catastrophic events led to a public demand for man-made flood protection. In short, there was greater security and confidence in the built world. Also, there was an increasing perception that the natural envi-ronment and the built environment were separate entities.

The channeling of the Kissimmee River during the C&SF Project resulted in the drainage of two-thirds of the historical floodplain and the loss of habitat for many now threatened and endangered species.

The C&SF Project still provides its intended benefits of supplying water and flood control. However, many of the project's under-estimated or unanticipated side effects laid the foundation for ecosystem degradation. These negative consequences stemmed not only from public attitudes toward the natural environment, but also from the desire to find quick solutions to complex problems.

Similar attitudes directed the growth and development of the built environment. At the turn of the century, there was a frontier mentality and a general lack of understanding of the value of wetlands. Land was for the taking, and when resources were exhausted, it was time to move on. A pattern of outward growth emerged, leading to ever-expanding suburbs and declining urban cores. The desire for quick solutions also led to simplistic solutions for complex social and economic problems like employment, housing, education, and infrastructure — problems that increasingly fueled the flight from urban cores into the fragile natural areas and agricultural lands.

CONSEQUENCES

After almost 50 years of manipulation, much of the natural system is out of balance. The built environment and its inhabitants are on a similar track. On its present course, South Florida is not sustainable.

The urgency of this situation is overshadowed only by the scope and complexity of the problems that have given rise to it. Continuing to seek short-term solutions, viewing problems piecemeal, and failing to balance the needs of the natural and built environments have produced serious consequences. Developing systemwide solutions that address the underlying causes of problems is far more difficult, costly, and time consuming. But it may be the only viable alterna-tive. Ultimately, the fate of South Florida rests with public attitudes and the actions we are willing to take.

— South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group 1997

Current Stress Indicators:
The Natural System

• 50% of the original Everglades has been drained

• populations of wading birds have dropped by 90%–95%

• 68 plant and animal species are threatened or endangered

• 2 million acre-feet of water are lost from the natural system annually through discharge and unnatural seepage

• 1 million acres of the ecosystem are under health advisories for mercury contamination

• phosphorus from agricultural runoff has contaminated Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and surrounding wetlands

• increased unnatural discharges of freshwater have damaged coastal estuaries

• the incidence of coral diseases has increased 10-fold since 1980

• over 1.5 million acres are infested with invasive, exotic plants

Current Stress Indicators:
The Built System

• South Florida agricultural lands have decreased by 10.7 million acres or 16%

• by the year 2050, South Florida's population will increase threefold, from 5 million to 15 million

• the east coast of South Florida has thousands of sites contaminated by hazardous materials (brownfields)

• the eastern urban corridor of South Florida is characterized by lower income levels and lower home ownership rates than the surrounding suburbs

• the city of Miami is ranked as the fourth poorest city in the nation

• Miami-Dade County has the highest unemployment rate in the state of Florida