U.S. Department of the Interior U.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 U.S. Department of the Interior U.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 solutions Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative - New York Times February 8, 2006 By LAURIE GOODSTEIN Despite 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 record By Dale Funk, Contributing Editor Apr 1, :00 PM While 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 people

USGS 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 and Vegetation 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: Relevance for Everglades Restoration USGS National Science Strategy: Relevance 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 flowCurrent flow Future Everglades Ecosystem Future flow

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works July 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 resources with 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 future