INTRODUCTION TO SUB-REGION OBJECTIVES
Nine sub-regions (Fig. 9) were defined by the Working Group for detailed development of objectives and success criteria. In outline form, the sub-region sections provide specific detail on many of the generalities first introduced in the "Regional Approach" section. The sub-region delineation's were based largely on USFWS (1993), with some modifications.
1. Upper Chain of Lakes and Kissimmee River.
2. Lake Okeechobee and the East/West Waterways.
3. North Palm Beach, Martin, and South St. Lucie Counties.
4. Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA).
5. Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCAs).
6. Big Cypress North to Caloosahatchee River.
7. Everglades National Park and East Everglades.
8. Coastal Areas, Florida Bay, Florida Reef Tract, and Florida Keys to Dry Tortugas.
9. Lower East Coast Urban Area (Metropolitan and Agricultural Areas).
Each of these sections is organized to respond to five questions asked by the Working Group. Topic headings are (1) Ecological Characterizations, (2) Broad Ecological Restoration Objectives, (3) Specific Hydrologic Objectives, (4) Critical Linkages, and (5) Success Criteria.
The quantitative information in these sections should be viewed as preliminary figures that may be updated routinely in the adaptive management process to be the basis of the restoration effort. References to hydrologic guidelines from a Natural Systems Model are used extensively in providing hydrologic specifics. The concept of natural systems models is described in a previous section entitled "Use of Models and Adaptive Management." Appendix III describes the current status of the particular Natural Systems Model accepted by both Everglades National Park, the South Florida Water Management District, and other agencies. In viewing each sub-region in detail, one should retain the realization of the interdependence of these units that was gained from the "Regional Approach" section. These sub-regions do not function in isolation but in a highly connected manner. It is, therefore, imperative that ecosystem restoration be addressed from a holistic systems approach.
