ISLAMORADA, Fla. — The Everglades is renowned far beyond its swamps, airboats, and alligators. Restoration efforts here have a significant influence extending well beyond the land nestled between Florida’s east and west coasts.
Florida Bay, a vast expanse of water lying between mainland Florida’s southern tip and the Florida Keys, comprises nearly a third of the Everglades National Park. During arid periods, the high salt content can spell disaster for the flora and fauna in the area. However, experts remain optimistic that this year’s anticipated early rainfall season will avert a massive die-off of seagrass, an event that has plagued the region in the past.
Florida Bay: The Everglades Estuary
Steve Davis, serving as the chief science officer for The Everglades Foundation, refers to Florida Bay as the estuary of the Everglades. “The Everglades actually form a massive, slow-moving river that originates near Orlando and meanders down to Florida’s southern extremity,” Davis explains. “During wet periods, sufficient water flows into the bay, maintaining an optimal salinity range. Conversely, an average-to-dry year, or drought conditions, propel salinity levels to extremes, threatening the health of seagrasses and other dependent species.”
Florida Bay lacks strong tides, causing water retention for nearly a year. In instances where evaporation surpasses the inflow from the Everglades, the salinity can double typical ocean levels, Davis notes. “This is when habitat health in the bay becomes seriously compromised,” he warns.
The most recent significant seagrass die-off was in 2015. Xavier Figueredo, a recreational boat captain with Bay and Reef Company, recounts witnessing around 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) of devastation during that time. “Visibility was essentially dead grass afloat,” he recalls. “The air was thick with the stench of sulfur and decay. As the die-off escalated, the broader ecosystem, including the fish, was impacted.”
Preventing Further Seagrass Die-Off
Despite over 40% of Florida experiencing drought, Davis remains cautiously optimistic. The current salt levels in the bay show improvements compared to 2015. He attributes these improvements partly to a large-scale initiative that elevated more than 3.5 miles of the Tamiami Trail—a route traversing from Miami to Naples that historically acted as a dam.
The roadway’s conversion to two bridges, completed in 2013 and 2019 respectively, resumed the natural water flow to the southern Everglades, away from the metaphorical ‘river of grass.’ “Consistent water flow across the Tamiami Trail has helped stabilize salinity conditions,” Davis explains.
An additional edge this year is the prospect of an early rainy season, as opposed to a delayed onset seen in 2015.
Future Restoration Efforts
Elevating the Tamiami Trail has delivered notable benefits for both the Everglades and Florida Bay. Yet, the ambitious Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project promises to tackle longstanding water challenges statewide. With an investment of $3.9 billion, this initiative aims to craft a reservoir and wetland treatment system to cleanse water redirected from Lake Okeechobee before it releases into the southern Everglades. It also promises to curb polluted water from inundating Florida’s east and west coasts.
Davis emphasizes the project as “the game-changer for freshwater flow restoration.” “The current improvements stem from infrastructure facilitating water delivery into the park,” he insists. “When greater water volumes can freely move south, we’ll observe significant system-wide enhancements reaching Florida Bay.”
Securing Economic Stability
Beyond environmental restoration, these efforts also safeguard Florida’s economic future, Paul Hindsley, the Everglades Foundation’s chief economist, highlights. “Every dollar spent on restoration yields $4 in economic returns,” Hindsley reveals.
These economic advantages include bolstering water supplies for residents and industries, minimizing drought-induced challenges like fires, and lessening flood risks from substantial rainfall. The Everglades contribute over $5 billion annually in risk reduction for National Flood Insurance claims. Moreover, South Florida’s mangroves and reefs play a critical role in mitigating storm surge impacts.
“Preserving the environment equates to safeguarding Floridians’ wealth,” concludes Hindsley.