U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

GEER 2008 | Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration

Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges: Integrated Science for the Everglades Mark Myers, Director, U.S. Geological Survey

July 29, 2008

Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges: Integrated Science for the Everglades Mark Myers, Director, U.S. Geological Survey

July 29, 2008

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

The Nature of USGS Science

• An independent fact-finding agency; no basis for advocacy

• No natural resource management responsibilities

• USGS supports all DOI bureaus with science information

• Science resources leveraged in partnership with more than 2,000 agencies:

. State, local, tribal governments

. Academic community

. Other Federal allies

. Non-governmental organizations

. Private sector

Science – a bridge to rational solutionsScience – a bridge to rational solutions

Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative - New York TimesFebruary 8, 2006By LAURIE GOODSTEINDespite opposition from some of their colleagues, 86 evangelical Christian leaders have decided to back a major initiative to fight global warming, saying "millions of people could die in this century

Copper prices set another recordBy Dale Funk, Contributing EditorApr 1, 2006 12:00 PMWhile most wire and cable industry veterans and commodity analysts expected 2006 to be a year of moderation for copper prices, when copper jumped 9.45 cents to nearly $2.36 a pound on March 17 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, it set another record.

A British experts report on climate change warns that failure to curb global warming could trigger worldwide economic devastation, with poor countries hit first and hardest.  Prime Minister Tony Blair called for urgent international action.

Finding balance: environment and peopleFinding balance: environment and people

USGS Science Strategy DirectionsUSGS Science Strategy Directions

Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and Change

Energy and Minerals for America’s Future

A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program

The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

A Water Census of the United States

Data Integration and Beyond

Understanding Earth Systems

All earth resources interrelated.

Climate change, population growth accelerate difficulties, complexity.

USGS science strategy based on systems approach.

Rock and Soil

Fungi

Climate

Animals andVegetation

Ecosystem Structure

Ecosystem Mapping and Analysis

Ecosystem Services

Goods and services of value to humans that come from natural systems

Not fully valued in economic discussions, societal decisions

Markets insufficient to convey benefits of ecosystems

Goods and services of value to humans that come from natural systems

Not fully valued in economic discussions, societal decisions

Markets insufficient to convey benefits of ecosystems

USGS National Science Strategy:USGS National Science Strategy:Relevance for Everglades RestorationRelevance for Everglades RestorationUSGS National Science Strategy:USGS National Science Strategy:Relevance for Everglades RestorationRelevance for Everglades Restoration

Understanding Ecosystems and Predicting Ecosystem Change

Climate Variability and Change

Energy and Minerals for America’s Future

A National Hazards, Risk, and Resilience Assessment Program

The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health

A Water Census of the United States

Data Integration and Beyond

USGS

Provisional Map

Lostmans River Ranger Station Quadrangle, 2007

mid 1800s

Settlement continues…

1926 & 1928

Catastrophic hurricanes…

1930s

Muck fires

1947

Extensive floods

Everglades National Park designated

1947

Historical Changes early 1900s

1948

C&SF Project Authorized

Agricultural development begins

Historic flow Current flow

Future Everglades Ecosystem

Future flow

Senate Committee on Environment and Public WorksJuly 27, 2000

“The Committee does not expect rigid adherence to the Plan as it was submitted to Congress. This result would be inconsistent with the adaptive assessment principles in the Plan….Instead the Committee expects that the agencies….will seek continuous improvements of the Plan based on new information, improved modeling, new technology and changed circumstances.”

the key to Everglades Restoration

Adaptive Management

DOI Adaptive Management Technical Guide

• Completed in 2007

• Signed by the DOI Secretary

• Describes why, what, and how to manage DOI resourceswith AM

• Learning through management, then adjusting management based on what is learned

A systems approach helps reveal the nature of earth systems

Climate change, population growth present

critical challenges at all scales of land management

We need • all available data acquired through multiple technologies • the best management techniques• an integrated science perspective to make wise decisions

Managing our lands for the futureManaging our lands for the future