Tree Islands in the Shark Slough Landscape: Interactions of Vegetation, Hydrology, and Soils

Authors

Michael S. Ross, Florida International University, Southeast Environmental Research CenterFollow
David T. Jones, Florida International University, Southeast Environmental Research CenterFollow

Date of this Version

September 2004

Document Type

Report

Abstract

Executive Summary: This report presents what we have learned about tree islands of Shark Slough and adjacent marshes of Everglades National Park (ENP), based on ecological studies carried out in these wetlands during the period 2000-2003. The tree islands of Shark Slough share many features with tree islands elsewhere in the Everglades. Their current composition and community structure is determined to a large extent by recent hydrology, as well as by disturbances (fire, freezes, hurricanes, man). Tree islands have historical, cultural, and biological values that are recognized by nearly all parties to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Maintaining and/or restoring the health of tree islands are major objectives of CERP. Consequently, there is a need within CERP for tools to assess the health of tree islands, and to relate these measures to the hydrologic regime to which they are exposed.

Comments

A final report submitted to: Everglades National Park, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Original project title: Everglades National Park tree islands: Interactions of vegetation, hydrology and soils

Principal Investigators: Michael S. Ross; Krish Jayachandran; Steven F. Oberbauer. Florida International University

Study No. EVER 00075

Recommended Citation

Ross, Michael S. and Jones, David T. , "Tree Islands in the Shark Slough Landscape: Interactions of Vegetation, Hydrology, and Soils" (2004). SERC Research Reports. 4.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/sercrp/4