Sea Level Rise Affects The Everglades Ecosystem And Restorat ✓ Solved

Sea Level Rise Affects The Everglades Ecosystem and Restoration

I. Introduction

A. Changes in precipitation, temperature, and sea level will affect the Everglades Ecosystem. (Nungesser et al. 2015)

B. Damage to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to restore fresh water. (Aumen et al. 2015)

C. Hypothesis: “Sea level rise caused by global warming is reducing sawgrass populations, enabling intrusion of mangroves, and damaging the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. This is in turn causing animal populations to decrease or disperse, and ecosystem services to be lost.”

II. Sea level rise is reducing sawgrass populations and ecosystem functions

A. Abundance of salt water will eat away the saw grass in the famous “river of grass” and lower their population.

1. Salinity reduces saw grass germination (Pulido et al. 2020).

2. Reduced root biomass (Charles et al. 2019).

3. Ecosystem function/services (Bansal et al. 2019).

B. Will lead to peat soil being destroyed; peat soil is important for the wetlands elevation.

1. Soil surface elevation (Howard et al. 2020).

2. Exposing wetlands soil (Servais et al. 2019).

3. Structure and function of sawgrass (environmental stress) (Servais et al. 2019).

C. Peat accumulation will lead to less carbon sequestration and erosion of land.

1. Carbon sequestration is decreasing (Chambers et al. 2020).

2. Land erosion (Sirianni and Comas, 2020).

III. Sea level rise enables intrusion of mangroves

A. Mangroves prevent the intrusion of salt water to the Everglades.

1. Mangrove dieback (Zhao et al. 2020).

2. Mangroves accommodate to sea level rise (Feher et al. 2020).

B. Mangroves prevent storm surges (Jiang et al. 2014).

C. Enabling the intrusion of mangroves will prevent them from stabilizing the coastline and reducing erosion (Willard et al. 2011).

IV. Animal communities dependent on sawgrass are changing in composition and function

A. Loss of animal habitats: Loss of suitable animal habitats (Catano et al. 2015).

B. Will decrease the amount of American crocodiles: Influence of salinity on American crocodiles (Mazzotti et al. 2019).

C. Damage to native and nonnative fish in the area: Loss of fish density due to excess salinity (Romanach et al. 2019).

V. Specific local solutions involve modifications to the restoration plan

A. Modify the Restoration Plan.

B. Increase the amount of freshwater discharge through rivers.

C. Raise freshwater levels near the coast.

D. Freshwater storage.

VI. Conclusion

A. Sea level rise is threatening the Everglades, causing damage to the river of grass, negatively affecting the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and causing the loss of its ecosystem.

B. Implementing ways of saving freshwater wetlands will benefit the Everglades and South Florida.

Paper For Above Instructions

The Everglades Ecosystem, often referred to as the "River of Grass," is a unique and essential part of Florida's natural landscape. It is a vast wetland that provides critical habitat for countless species, serves as a natural water filtration system, and plays an important role in flood control within the region. However, this delicate ecosystem is increasingly under threat from various environmental changes, particularly sea level rise caused by climate change. This paper evaluates how sea level rise affects the Everglades, impacts the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), and suggests potential local solutions.

The rise in sea level resulting from global warming is fostering salinity increases in freshwater habitats, detrimental to sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) populations. Higher salinity disrupts the germination process and reduces root biomass of these vital plants, thus impairing ecosystem functions and services (Pulido et al. 2020; Charles et al. 2019). This decline in sawgrass not only jeopardizes the plant's survival but also triggers consequences for associated flora and fauna. The sawgrass wetlands play an invaluable role in carbon sequestration. According to Chambers et al. (2020), diminished sawgrass populations result in lower carbon storage capacities, potentially aggravating climate change further.

Moreover, the destruction of peat soil is one of the most severe ramifications of increased salinity. Howard et al. (2020) explain that peat soil is vital for maintaining the surface elevation of wetlands. When salinity levels rise, the underlying peat can degrade, resulting in the exposure of soil and further land erosion (Servais et al. 2019; Sirianni and Comas 2020). This erosion not only threatens the structural integrity of the wetland but also reduces its ability to sustain wildlife populations. Consequently, the degradation of wetlands leads to a loss in biodiversity, reducing the natural resilience of the ecosystem.

Sea level rise further influences the intrusion of mangroves into the Everglades. Mangroves play a protective role against saltwater intrusion and storm surges (Jiang et al. 2014). However, as sea levels continue to rise, these trees themselves may struggle to survive in their current locations, leading to a decline in their protective functions (Feher et al. 2020). Mangrove dieback exacerbates the issue as it prevents these ecosystems from stabilizing the coastline, which further increases vulnerability to erosion (Willard et al. 2011; Zhao et al. 2020).

Changes in the composition and function of animal communities are also observed within the Everglades due to these ecological shifts. The degradation of habitats that support many species, including the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), is a direct consequence of salinity-induced losses of sawgrass (Catano et al. 2015; Mazzotti et al. 2019). Excess salinity has also negatively impacted both native and non-native fish populations (Romanach et al. 2019). The disruption of food webs and habitat availability may lead to further declines in animal populations, presenting an urgent need for intervention.

To address these pressing issues, modifications to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) are necessary. Firstly, increasing the amount of freshwater discharge through rivers could help counteract the encroaching saltwater. Ensuring that freshwater flows are adequate near coastal zones is essential for bolstering the health of marshlands against salinity increases (Jiang et al. 2014). Moreover, raising freshwater levels in sensitive areas can provide immediate relief to the stressed ecosystems, allowing for more robust biological responses to environmental changes. Lastly, enhancing freshwater storage capabilities within the region can serve as a buffer during periods of prolonged drought or low water availability.

In conclusion, the challenges posed by sea level rise to the Everglades Ecosystem are profound and multifaceted. The decline of sawgrass, threats to peat soil, mangrove intrusion, and alterations in animal communities collectively signal the urgency of addressing these ecological concerns. A revised approach to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, integrating fresh water flow modifications and enhancing storage capacity, may provide the critical components necessary to protect this vital ecosystem. Saving the freshwater wetlands is not only essential for the Everglades but also crucial for the health and sustainability of South Florida's environment.

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