Climate Change & Everglades

(c) Climate change could have a variety of impacts on water quantity, water quality, and habitat. For EACH of these three factors, identify and describe one specific example of an impact on the Everglades likely to result from climate change

1. Elevated temperatures can negatively affect habitats. The elevated temperatures push some species past their upper temperature tolerance limit and are forced to die or relocate. 2. Higher temperatures can negatively affect water quantity. Higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation, lowering water levels. 3. Increased evaporation will increase concentration of pollutants in surface water and affect water quality. Water can be so concentrated it becomes toxic and uninhabitable.

(a) Describe how TWO human activities, other than those that result in anthropogenic climate change, have resulted in a decrease in the amount of freshwater flowing into the Everglades ecosystem.

1. The water is diverted for irrigation of crops. Does not directly make it to the Everglades 2. Road construction/development interrupts the flow of surface water. The interruption stops the water from flowing to the Everglades.

(bii) Explain one way in which an increase in phosphorus levels can adversely affect the Everglades ecosystem

Phosphorus can speed eutrophication and stimulate algal blooms. Leads to hypoxia and dead zones

(dii) Describe one way that restoring the Everglades is expected to provide economic benefits to Florida

Restoring the Everglades will increase tourism/recreation in the area. Jobs will be created to work in the booming industries.

(di) Describe one way that restoring water quantity and water quality in the Everglades is expected to improve the structure and function of the ecosystem

Restoring water quality can lead to less eutrophication that will in turn lead to less algal blooms and reduce threat of hypoxia.

(biii) Describe one step that could be taken to reduce phosphorus inputs from the activity you identified in part (bi).

Restrictions on the use of phosphate-containing fertilizers. Would reduce runoff containing phosphates reaching the Everglades

(bi) Describe how one specific human activity contributes to increased phosphorus levels in the Everglades

Using phosphate-containing detergents for chores such as laundry. The leftover can reach the Everglades