With respect to the system, a coastal system is dynamic, in that it
moves and is adapted to these natural events. For example, a hurricane
can move a forested estuarine system toward an upland and then fire can
move it back. The habitat can recover to a healthy system again (if we
really want to call it unhealthy) even if it is not just as it was.
One of the real problems, as has already been addressed, is the
fragmentation of these habitats that prevents it from functioning as a
system. Ideally, we should let the islands and dunes move, allow
flooding, and let fire take its course. Sorry, I'm day dreaming out
loud.
Jody T.
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/28/05 9:56 AM >>>
Art, Ross,
There is a series of Plio/Pleistocene interleaved fresh water and salt
water deposits under the Everglades. If a salt water intrusion is of
short duration, the salt will be flushed out and any killed vegetation
(and associated snails) will be restored from areas further upstream.
Salt tolerance probably varies by species, but raise sea level 10 feet
or so, and there will not be a chance for recovery.
Allen Aigen
[log in to unmask]
-- [log in to unmask] wrote:
Dear Ross et al;-
It occurs to me that the Everglades have been in place for a very
long period of time--a lot longer than human habitation. It would also
seem that Hurricanes have probably been hitting the area irregularly for
all that period of time. So it seems that the Everglades have the
ability to bounce back from whatever nature throws. That's long term.
Short term, the glades have a lot more to worry about from us users, the
way we build things, divert and use water, and impinge animal
populations. Eh! what do I know!
Art
--
PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is:
[log in to unmask] Please update your records!
---- "J. Ross Mayhew" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I was just thinking about how difficult it is to come across
Liguus
> from old collections these days, which got me to wondering about how
> hurricanes affect the Everglades. A substantial storm surge would
flood
> a substantial portion of this huge "river of grass" with sea water.
> Does this result in a die-off of the plants and animals with less salt
> tolerance than others? How would this affect the living systems
> involved? How long does it take large wetlands such as the Everglades
to
> recover from a large hurricane?
> If anyone knows of studies which have been done along these lines,
> it would be great if they could post a summary of the results, with
> references!!
> When was the most recent time the Everglades were more or less
> directly hit by a substantial hurricane anyway?
>
> From a starry starry night in New Scotland,
> Ross Mayhew.
>
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