Integrated Ecological Modeling and Decision Analysis Within the Everglades Landscape

Authors

H. Carl Fitz, Soil & Water Science Department, Fort Lauderdale Research & Education Center, IFAS, University of Florida
Gregory A. Kiker, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, IFAS, University of Florida
J. B. Kim, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, IFAS, University of Florida and Environmental Laboratory, Engineer Research and Development Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Abstract

Planning for complex ecosystem restoration projects involves integrating ecological modeling with analysis of performance trade-offs among restoration alternatives. The authors used the Everglades Landscape Model and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to explore the effect of simulated ecosystem performance, risk preferences, and criteria weights on the ranking of three alternatives to restoring overland sheet flow in the Everglades. The ecological model outputs included both hydrologic and water quality criteria. Results were scored in the decision analysis framework, highlighting the trade-offs between hydrologic restoration and water quality constraints. Given equal weighting of performance measures, the alternative with more homogenous sheet flow was preferred over other alternatives, despite evidence of some localized eutrophication risk.

Comments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long-Term Ecological Research program under Cooperative Agreements #DBI-0620409 and #DEB-9910514. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Recommended Citation

Fitz, H.C., G.A. Kiker, J.B. Kim. 2011. Integrated ecological modeling and decision analysis within the Everglades landscape. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 41(S1): 517-547.