To reach these goals and the future vision for South Florida, the task force and its partners have adopted an adaptive management strategy. The strategy acknowledges that not all the data needed to restore the entire system is in hand. It also recognizes the need to move forward. Therefore, the project's learn-as-you-go strategy is to implement action where possible, while continuing to gather data and refine the collective understanding of the problems.

Adaptive management entails three essential elements: models, support studies, and monitoring. Each is a tool that is used in combination with the other two.

Models provide the conceptual framework that form the basis for support studies. These studies provide data and interpretation that lead to a better understanding of the problem and then to the development of a series of management alternatives. The costs and benefits of the alternatives are then calculated using the models to determine which represents the best course of action.

Once an alternative is selected and implemented, monitoring is used to assess the effectiveness of the action and to provide feedback on ways to modify it (if warranted). Similarly, monitoring data can be used to revise and refine the original model, thereby completing and continuing the interactive feedback loop of decision making and implementation.

Adaptive management provides a structure for initiating critical projects immediately, the flexibility to modify activities when needed, and the feedback and coordination to ensure accountability.

INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT

The task force and its partners also have adopted a series of creative tactics needed to implement goal-oriented actions.

Science-Based Decision Making

To be successful, restoration decisions must be based on sound, applied science. Applied science has two major roles in restoration efforts. One is to facilitate and promote the application of existing scientific information to planning and decision making. The other is to acquire critical missing information or information that is needed to validate (or modify) ongoing management actions.

Much of the restoration effort is based on the assumption that better water management will provide sustainability across both natural and human systems. This suggests, as a working hypothesis, that hydrologic restoration is a prerequisite for ecosystem restoration.

The challenge is to determine how to modify the structure and operation of the current hydrology so that it more closely resembles predrainage patterns. To do this

• previous drainage patterns must be reconstructed
• key species and habitat indicators must be identified
• predictive and evaluative models must be developed
• monitoring programs need to be implemented

These activities are necessary to provide the scientific data needed to make informed decisions on how to implement restoration projects and to assess their outcomes.

Systemwide Management

Science alone is not the answer. Another crucial step in achieving the restoration goals is to overcome institutional barriers that encourage the status quo. In the past, there has been a tendency to manage natural, economic, and human resources as independent variables that are administered and regulated by discrete jurisdictions. This approach leads to reduced communication, duplication of effort, and inefficiency.

The task force and its partners, therefore, advocate a holistic, systemwide approach that addresses issues regionally, not locally. There is also an emphasis on obtaining results, rather than implementing programs that have no clear outcome. Finally, there is a growing recognition that the problems faced in South Florida must be solved collaboratively and must be based on a sound understanding of the variables involved.

Integrated Governance

Integrated governance is a creative approach to coordinating federal, state, local, and tribal laws, authorities, and regulations to achieve a shared restoration vision. It also seeks ways to streamline funding, coordinate different levels of federal, state, local, and tribal government, cut costs, and allow actions to be implemented faster.

To be successful, governmental entities will need to seek regulations that are based on common sense, to share their funding, to integrate their budgets, and to develop cooperative programs.

Broad-Based Partnerships

South Florida problems affect all individuals living there but in different ways. To be successful, there must be a shared vision and mutual commitment for change. It is critical that federal, state, local, and tribal governments join with interested and affected parties to examine differing views and needs. This will form the basis for the respect and trust needed to work together.

Public Outreach and Communication

Finally, building broad-based partnerships requires a good understanding of the issues and an atmosphere of open dialogue. Because of the diversity of cultures in South Florida, public outreach and communication will form an important cornerstone for ecosystem restoration efforts. Public outreach strategies should find concrete and meaningful ways to connect people with ecosystem restoration efforts. They should foster a clear exchange of views, perspectives, and information. The strategies should seek to instill a broad sense of stewardship, ownership, and responsibility for all parties involved, including private citizens.

• Create conceptual models of causal relationships of stress in the ecosystem.

• Develop performance measures for key stress factors and attributes identified in the models.

• Design a comprehensive monitoring program.