US EPA

3800144 

Technical Report 

South Florida Ecosystem Assessment: Phase I/II (Technical Report) - Everglades Stressor Interactions: Hydropatterns, Eutrophication, Habitat Alteration, and Mercury Contamination 

Stober, QJ; Thornton, K; Jones, R; Richard, J; Ivey, C 

2001 

NTIS/10750218 

GRA and I 

GRA and I 

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 South Florida Ecosystem Assessment Project is an innovative, long-term research, monitoring and assessment project. Phase I of the Project was conducted from 1992 through 1998 and was discussed in two previous reports. Phase II sampling was conducted during 1999. This report describes the Phase II Project results. The ultimate Project goal is to provide decision-makers with sound, scientific information for environmental decisions related to the South Florida Everglade ecosystem restoration. Project purposes are to: (1) Contribute to the South Florida Interagency Everglades Restoration Program by monitoring the status and trends in the condition of the South Florida Everglades ecosystem. (2) Assess the effects and potential risks of mercury contamination on the South Florida ecosystem, specifically the processes and pathways from inorganic mercury to prey fish mercury contamination. (3) Assess the effects and potential risks of other environmental stressors such as hydropattern modification, habitat alteration, and total phosphorus loading, as well as their interaction with mercury contamination. (4) Improve monitoring design and environmental reporting for the South Florida ecosystem, and (5) Provide interim information on a regular basis that contributes to environmental decisions on Everglades restoration issues.