Research

One of South East Florida’s Coral Reef Initiatives’ (SEFCRI) goals is to balance all fishing and recreational activities within the sustainable limits of the reef ecosystem to minimize user conflicts, provide equitable uses, protect the coral reef ecosystem and ensure optimal benefits to present and future generations. To further that goal the evaluation of the potential of marine zoning areas for southeast Florida was undertaken by a team of scientists from the Center for Environmental Studies, the University of South Florida, CEPEMAR and the University of Miami.

CES developed a user survey and executed it through in-person intercept interviews and web-based access. The goal of the survey was to identify users’ perceptions of marine protected areas and to determine which relevant factors they feel are important concerning marine zoning.

Under contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection CES developed a methodology to address cumulative impacts sections in project reviews and assessments that will affect southeast Florida’s reef resources. The methodology the CES team, composed of scientists from the University of Miami, CUES, and CEPEMAR, proposed consisted of an Assessment Flowchart, an Assessment Tool, and Users’ Instructions for using the Tool, which are intended to be used by reviewers from regulatory agencies.

This project is a collaborative effort among various agencies to perform research and restoration of the greater Everglades ecosystem. CES is assisting in tree island ecophysiological research including year-round surveys for the prevalence of invasive exotic plants in the Water Conservation Areas in collaboration with Ecology and Environment, Inc.

The Florida Center for Environmental Studies (CES) was retained to evaluate environmental sensitive issues associated with mangroves in the state of Maranhão in Brazil. CES assembled a team of experts to provide an independent scientific review of site specific data for integrity, collection procedures, analysis and validation on the mangrove ecosystem. CES team also provided a projection on future trends of the mangrove ecosystem based on a site visit and data review. The study site, a 926 hectare mangrove ecosystem, has important socio-economic, biotic and abiotic features.

CES is a founding member of the WaterWeb Consortium (WWCo,www.waterweb.org). The Consortium seeks to promote and enhance the sharing of information concerning water and the earth’s environment. The WWCo is creating a global community, bringing together educational, governmental, nonprofit, & commercial entities interested in water research, conservation, and management. WaterWeb’s goals are to advance water related issues, promote the use of quality information, and share information with water use stakeholders and decision makers.