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South Florida’s national parks and wildlife refuges are threatened by accelerated growth of the
surrounding built environment which alters the natural hydrology and ecology, and introduces harmful
levels of sediment, nutrients and toxins. Department of the Interior scientists and land managers are
faced with major informational and financial challenges and conflicting stakeholder interests in their
efforts to manage and protect resources to fulfill their stewardship responsibilities. The primary objective
of the project is to develop a GIS-based ecosystem portfolio model (EPM) for Park Service/Fish and Wildlife
Service scientists and managers to use to develop and evaluate strategies to protect the interests of South
Florida parks and refuges in the face of development pressures. The EPM will integrate natural science,
land use, and economic information to assist with land use scenario evaluation, land use planning, and ecological
assessments related to land use. Ultimately, restoration success will depend on well coordinated, collaborative,
and integrated efforts among participating agencies and stakeholders to implement a reasonable balance between
human needs and the needs of the ecosystem.
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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
