Integration of Science in Florida Ecosystem Study

The fragile and human-altered ecosystem of South Florida, including the Everglades, is a place where all the capabilities of the USGS are being brought to bear on one important issue -- the area's environmental restoration.

USGS geologists have collected cores of sediments to be used in establishing the natural ecosystem history of the area. This knowledge enables scientists to distinguish human influences on the environment from natural change.

USGS mappers are making detailed topographic maps showing elevation details to about two inches.

Such precision is crucial to USGS hydrologists who are modeling the almost imperceptible flow of water across the flat terrain.

USGS biologists are also mapping and monitoring the distribution of plants and animals, including invasive species, as indicators of ecosystem conditions.

The geographically based integration of scientific information from geology, hydrology, and biology is a characteristic USGS strength. The fusion of knowledge from many fields of natural and earth sciences is critical for evaluating the success of efforts to restore the South Florida ecosystem.

This remote sensing image displays the boundary areas between urban and agricultural lands as well as the natural landcover of the Everglades. The open water of the Gulf of Mexico is visible in the bottom left corner of the image. Such images present a timely, objective record of ecosystem conditions and have many productive applications in earth, biological, and social sciences.

Multidisciplinary teams of scientists work together in the Everglades and other areas of South Florida to bring all the capabilities of USGS to help restore the area's environment.