New perspectives on an iconic landscape from comparative international long‐term ecological research

Abstract

Abstract. Iconic ecosystems like the Florida Coastal Everglades can serve as sentinels of environmental change from local to global scales. This characteristic can help inform general theory about how and why ecosystems transform, particularly if distinctive ecosystem properties are studied over long time scales and compared to those of similar ecosystems elsewhere. Here we review the ways in which long-term, comparative, international research has provided perspectives on iconic features of the Everglades that have, in turn, informed general ecosystem paradigms. Studies in other comparable wetlands from the Caribbean to Australia have shed light on distinctive and puzzling aspects such as the ''upside-down estuary'' and ''productivity paradox'' for which the Everglades is known. These studies suggest that coastal wetlands on carbonate (karstic) platforms have: (1) hydrological and biogeochemical properties that reflect ''hidden'' groundwater sources of water and nutrients, (2) very productive, mat-forming algal communities that present a low-quality food to aquatic consumers that encourages (3) highly diversified feeding strategies within and among populations, and (4) extensive and productive seagrass meadows and mangrove forests that promote strong cultural dependencies associated with the ecosystem services they provide. The contribution of international research to each of these general ecological topics is discussed with a particular goal of encouraging informed decision-making in threatened wetlands across the globe.

Inter‐annual hydroclimatic variability in coastal Tanzania

“…Mangroves play significant ecological, economic, and cultural roles in fisheries‐dependent coastal communities in tropical Africa (Diop et al , ), including coastal Tanzania (McNally et al , ; Vo et al , ; Gaiser et al , ; Mangora et al , ; Robertson et al , ). The Tanzanian coastal region is identified by the World Wide Fund for Nature as a priority area because mangrove forests are under intense exploitation pressure for wood products and conversion to other land uses (Mangora et al , ).…”

The International Long Term Ecological Research Network: a platform for collaboration

“…Results of long‐term studies from the Caribbean and Australia have shed light on puzzling Everglades phenomena such as the “upside‐down estuary” and “productivity paradox” (Gaiser et al. ).…”

Diatoms as tools for inferring changing environmental gradients in coastal, freshwater wetlands threatened by saltwater intrusion

“…These characteristics make it an ideal organism with which to address the ecological questions we pose. The results of this research will help establish the strength of this species as a regional bioindicator for freshwater karstic wetlands in the Caribbean Basin that are threatened in similar ways by saltwater intrusion, freshwater diversion, and nutrient enrichment (Gaiser et al 2015).…”