SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING IN SOUTH FLORIDA

The ecosystems of South Florida are unique and highly valued by societ y. Explosive population growth this century has made the Everglades on e of our nation's most endangered ecosystems. The dominant anthropogen ic stressor is hydrological modifications instituted to provide flood protection for land selected for agriculture and urban development. Th us, major redesign of the hydrologic system is essential if the Evergl ades and associated coastal ecosystems of South Florida are to be rest ored and sustained. Following conceptual frameworks developed for ecol ogical risk assessment, ecological sustainability, and ecosystem manag ement, the U.S. Man and the Biosphere Human-Dominated Systems Director ate has conducted a project on ecosystem management in South Florida. An extremely complex hierarchy of federal, state, and local government al activities presently underway is directed toward a sustainable Sout h Florida. The scientific community is playing a significant role in t his process, but the success or failure of ecosystem management for So uth Florida is still uncertain. If ecosystem management can result in a sustainable South Florida, this will be a prototype for environmenta l decision making through the next century.