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east coast surficial aquifer identify areas of westward (inland) saltwater
movement and areas of eastward (seaward) saline water movement.
• Estuarine inland migration trends in South Florida — The distribution
of coastal mangrove forests and adjacent estuarine ecosystems in
South Florida is determined by tidal fluctuation, salinity, and sediment
elevation. These forests are important buffer zones between land and
sea that contribute to the formation of soil and stabilization of coastlines,
acting as natural defense systems against hurricanes and tidal surge
protecting inland habitats and coastal communities from flooding.
• Habitats are responding to global climate change and changes in
historical water flows. Evaluation of the data also illustrates the role of
water management in staving off the impacts of sea level rise through
freshwater inputs.
• Evaluation of salinity trends in the South Florida Ecosystem and soil
subsidence (loss of elevation).
What are Dikes and Levees?
Dikes and Levees are barriers that divert or restrain the flow of
water. The large earthworks that surround Lake Okeechobee are
generally referred to as dikes, whereas the smaller earthworks
surrounding canals and Water Conservation Areas are generally
called levees.
2023 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 12
SFWMD Staff Deploying Nexsens CB 450 Data Buoys on Lake Okeechobee to Help Monitor Water Quality
Across the Lake. (Photo by SFWMD)
ADDRESSING BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOMS
The SFWMD, in cooperation with the DEP, maintains a Blue-Green Algae (BGA)
Response Plan. The plan outlines a threshold-based framework for monitoring
and treating BGA blooms based on severity, with four main components: Field
Reconnaissance, Treatment Response, Monitoring, and Experiments.
The SFWMD aims to use eco-friendly methods for BGA bloom management
and control and continuously assess their effectiveness. Monitoring provides
data to inform treatment and improve BGA management. Experiments will test
new methods for future control and include the use of federal grants. Leveraging
technology, including new laboratory equipment and automating processes,
the SFWMD can provide more frequent reporting and data summaries to
facilitate efficient coordination and response efforts.
STORMWATER TREATMENT AREAS AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES HAVE PREVENTED
THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS OF TOTAL PHOSPHORUS FROM ENTERING THE EVERGLADES
Figure 1. Everglades STAs have prevented 3,221 metric tons of phosphorus
from entering the Everglades since 1995.
Figure 2. BMPs have prevented 4,431 metric tons of phosphorus from leaving
the EAA Basin in stormwater runoff since 1996.
What are Nutrients?
In aquatic environments, nitrogen and phosphorus
are key nutrients that affect the growth rate of plants.
Although the nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen,
are vital in all natural systems, too much nutrients
in an ecosystem can have harmful ecological
consequences. Nutrients can flow across the
landscape in stormwater runoff as pollution (urban
and agricultural). This can harm natural areas by
promoting algae growth, creating an overabundance
of non-native plants, crowding out natural
vegetation and disrupting food sources and habitats.
The Everglades is naturally an extremely low-nutrient
system. Even small amounts of additional nutrients
can upset the delicate ecological balance needed
by the native plants and animals in the historic
“River of Grass.” Phosphorus is normally recorded in
micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb)
and nitrogen is normally recorded in milligrams
per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). In this
document, Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Nitrogen
(TN) are used to denote measurement when
monitoring the nutrients found in water bodies or
as they relate to inflows and outflows of water.
Since 1994, the Everglades STAs have treated approximately 25.2 million ac-ft of water (~ 8.2 trillion gallons) and retained 3,221 metric
tons (t) of TP with a 77% Total Phosphorus (TP) load reduction. The overall outflow TP Flow-Weighted Mean Concentration (FWMC) from
these treatment wetlands during this period has been 30 µg/L. STA 3/4, over its 19-year operational history, has treated the most water
(~ 8.3 million ac-ft), retained the most TP load (875 t), achieved the highest percent TP load retained (85%), and discharged water at the
lowest outflow TP FWMC (15 µg/L) of all the Everglades STAs. See Chapter 5B, Volume I, for more information.
The SFWMD BMP Program prevented approximately 4,431 metric tons of TP from entering the Everglades for the WY1996–WY2022
period. With the WY2022 results, the 27-year average annual TP load reduction for the program is 57%. EAA basin runoff is directed to
the Everglades STAs for further nutrient reduction before discharging to the Everglades Protection Area. See Chapter 4, Volume I, for
more information.
2023 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 13
SECOND HIGHEST WADING BIRD NESTING SEASON
ON RECORD
Wading birds help us understand the health of the Everglades. We know
that if we get the water right for wading birds, we’re getting it right for the
ecosystem. SFWMD ecologists track the timing, location and distribution
of wading bird nesting, as well as foraging patterns, in addition to other
activities. The SFWMD regularly monitors ibises, wood storks, herons, roseate
spoonbills and egrets. These species serve as important ecological indicators,
especially during exceptionally wet and dry years. Most species exhibited
considerably increased nesting efforts and nesting success during 2021.
According to the 2021 Wading Bird Report, nearly 102,000 wading bird
nests were initiated during the 2021 wading bird nesting season! This
represented the second largest number of nests initiated by wading birds,
one of the bellwether species used by scientists to gauge the overall health
of the Everglades, since scientists started surveying nesting throughout the
Everglades in 1996.
“This latest reporting year shows the benefits of Everglades restoration efforts
when climatic conditions are favorable and the exciting potential for all the
ongoing environmental restoration projects that will be finished in the coming
years,” said Dr. Mark Cook, lead editor of the SFWMD Wading Bird Report.
“We had above average rainfall and favorable timing during the reporting period.
This shows that as we are restoring the hydrology of the Everglades, getting the
water right will allow Mother Nature to take advantage of favorable conditions
when they are presented. All species, including wading birds, are benefiting.”

east coast surficial aquifer identify areas of westward (inland) saltwater

movement and areas of eastward (seaward) saline water movement.

• Estuarine inland migration trends in South Florida — The distribution

of coastal mangrove forests and adjacent estuarine ecosystems in

South Florida is determined by tidal fluctuation, salinity, and sediment

elevation. These forests are important buffer zones between land and

sea that contribute to the formation of soil and stabilization of coastlines,

acting as natural defense systems against hurricanes and tidal surge

protecting inland habitats and coastal communities from flooding.

• Habitats are responding to global climate change and changes in

historical water flows. Evaluation of the data also illustrates the role of

water management in staving off the impacts of sea level rise through

freshwater inputs.

• Evaluation of salinity trends in the South Florida Ecosystem and soil

subsidence (loss of elevation).

What are Dikes and Levees?

Dikes and Levees are barriers that divert or restrain the flow of

water. The large earthworks that surround Lake Okeechobee are

generally referred to as dikes, whereas the smaller earthworks

surrounding canals and Water Conservation Areas are generally

called levees.

2023 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 12

SFWMD Staff Deploying Nexsens CB 450 Data Buoys on Lake Okeechobee to Help Monitor Water Quality

Across the Lake. (Photo by SFWMD)

ADDRESSING BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOMS

The SFWMD, in cooperation with the DEP, maintains a Blue-Green Algae (BGA)

Response Plan. The plan outlines a threshold-based framework for monitoring

and treating BGA blooms based on severity, with four main components: Field

Reconnaissance, Treatment Response, Monitoring, and Experiments.

The SFWMD aims to use eco-friendly methods for BGA bloom management

and control and continuously assess their effectiveness. Monitoring provides

data to inform treatment and improve BGA management. Experiments will test

new methods for future control and include the use of federal grants. Leveraging

technology, including new laboratory equipment and automating processes,

the SFWMD can provide more frequent reporting and data summaries to

facilitate efficient coordination and response efforts.

STORMWATER TREATMENT AREAS AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES HAVE PREVENTED

THOUSANDS OF METRIC TONS OF TOTAL PHOSPHORUS FROM ENTERING THE EVERGLADES

Figure 1. Everglades STAs have prevented 3,221 metric tons of phosphorus

from entering the Everglades since 1995.

Figure 2. BMPs have prevented 4,431 metric tons of phosphorus from leaving

the EAA Basin in stormwater runoff since 1996.

What are Nutrients?

In aquatic environments, nitrogen and phosphorus

are key nutrients that affect the growth rate of plants.

Although the nutrients, phosphorus and nitrogen,

are vital in all natural systems, too much nutrients

in an ecosystem can have harmful ecological

consequences. Nutrients can flow across the

landscape in stormwater runoff as pollution (urban

and agricultural). This can harm natural areas by

promoting algae growth, creating an overabundance

of non-native plants, crowding out natural

vegetation and disrupting food sources and habitats.

The Everglades is naturally an extremely low-nutrient

system. Even small amounts of additional nutrients

can upset the delicate ecological balance needed

by the native plants and animals in the historic

“River of Grass.” Phosphorus is normally recorded in

micrograms per liter (µg/L) or parts per billion (ppb)

and nitrogen is normally recorded in milligrams

per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). In this

document, Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Nitrogen

(TN) are used to denote measurement when

monitoring the nutrients found in water bodies or

as they relate to inflows and outflows of water.

Since 1994, the Everglades STAs have treated approximately 25.2 million ac-ft of water (~ 8.2 trillion gallons) and retained 3,221 metric

tons (t) of TP with a 77% Total Phosphorus (TP) load reduction. The overall outflow TP Flow-Weighted Mean Concentration (FWMC) from

these treatment wetlands during this period has been 30 µg/L. STA 3/4, over its 19-year operational history, has treated the most water

(~ 8.3 million ac-ft), retained the most TP load (875 t), achieved the highest percent TP load retained (85%), and discharged water at the

lowest outflow TP FWMC (15 µg/L) of all the Everglades STAs. See Chapter 5B, Volume I, for more information.

The SFWMD BMP Program prevented approximately 4,431 metric tons of TP from entering the Everglades for the WY1996–WY2022

period. With the WY2022 results, the 27-year average annual TP load reduction for the program is 57%. EAA basin runoff is directed to

the Everglades STAs for further nutrient reduction before discharging to the Everglades Protection Area. See Chapter 4, Volume I, for

more information.

2023 SOUTH FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT – Highlights 13

SECOND HIGHEST WADING BIRD NESTING SEASON

ON RECORD

Wading birds help us understand the health of the Everglades. We know

that if we get the water right for wading birds, we’re getting it right for the

ecosystem. SFWMD ecologists track the timing, location and distribution

of wading bird nesting, as well as foraging patterns, in addition to other

activities. The SFWMD regularly monitors ibises, wood storks, herons, roseate

spoonbills and egrets. These species serve as important ecological indicators,

especially during exceptionally wet and dry years. Most species exhibited

considerably increased nesting efforts and nesting success during 2021.

According to the 2021 Wading Bird Report, nearly 102,000 wading bird

nests were initiated during the 2021 wading bird nesting season! This

represented the second largest number of nests initiated by wading birds,

one of the bellwether species used by scientists to gauge the overall health

of the Everglades, since scientists started surveying nesting throughout the

Everglades in 1996.

“This latest reporting year shows the benefits of Everglades restoration efforts

when climatic conditions are favorable and the exciting potential for all the

ongoing environmental restoration projects that will be finished in the coming

years,” said Dr. Mark Cook, lead editor of the SFWMD Wading Bird Report.

“We had above average rainfall and favorable timing during the reporting period.

This shows that as we are restoring the hydrology of the Everglades, getting the

water right will allow Mother Nature to take advantage of favorable conditions

when they are presented. All species, including wading birds, are benefiting.”