Also, the Earth Science Information Center in Tallahassee provides USGS information and directs inquiries to the appropriate USGS or State agency on earth science topics such as cartography, geography, aerial photography, and digital data. Biologists at the USGS Florida Caribbean Science Center, located in Gainesville, conduct biological and ecosystem studies in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 28KB Figure 1. Development of south Florida, including more than 1,400 miles of canals and 100 water-control structures, has contributed to a number of environmental problems. Federal and State agencies and environmental groups have proposed that south Florida and the Everglades be restored, to the extent possible, to hydrologic patterns similar to those of the predevelopment system.
Research is well underway, and in some cases is nearing completion.
USGS hydrologists sampling plants in the Everglades. To conduct regional and site-specific multidisciplinary studies to gather background information. To study the biological and chemical processes that affect and control the cycling of nutrients, sulfur, mercury, and other contaminants. To develop and apply robust models to sheetflow, ground-water movement, evapotranspiration in different vegetation communities, and ecological interactions of key animal species. To prepare topical synthesis documents to analyze, summarize, and integrate USGS results, and describe the relevance of this research to management issues.