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| Submitter's Name |
Paul Julian |
| Session Name |
Restoration and Connectivity |
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| Author(s) |
Paul Julian, University of Florida, Soil and Water Science Dept (Presenting Author) |
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Hydrologic restoration of the Taylor Slough Region of Everglades National Park. Changes in water quality and implications for ecosystem management. |
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This study addresses water quality conditions across several distinct hydrologic regimes in the Upper Taylor Slough (UTS) region of Everglade’s National Park and briefly considers implications of conditions for long-term water quality management. Due to hydrologic restoration Taylor Slough has experienced significant changes in hydrology and water quality progressing from a direct inflow via a pump station to sheet flow conditions via groundwater seepage over a 27 year period. Cumulative flow and rainfall relationships demonstrate clear breakpoints document changes in hydrology to the upper portion of Taylor Slough. Associated with these hydrologic changes, water quality has also changed with total phosphorus inflow flow-weighted mean (FWM) concentrations ranged from approximately 12.5 ug/L to 5 ug/L. Meanwhile UTS total phosphorus outflow FWM concentration ranged from approximately 13 ug/L to less than 4 ug/L. Due to changes in water delivery and management hypoerhic exchange of water is likely between inflow and outflow of UTS, based on analysis of surface water ion ratios. Based on analyses and information presented the UTS region is a resilient oligotrophic wetland system retaining strong assimilation capacity in the face of major management changes. While great gains in ecosystem restoration has been achieved restoration is not complete for the Taylor Slough region and adjacent coastal basins.
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