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LILA Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment

LILA Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment. An Everglades Living Laboratory. Everglades Ecosystem. Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA). Physical Model of the Everglades. Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Collaborative Partnership.

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LILA Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment

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  1. LILALoxahatchee ImpoundmentLandscape Assessment An Everglades Living Laboratory

  2. Everglades Ecosystem

  3. Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) Physical Model of the Everglades Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Collaborative Partnership Accessible to the Public

  4. LILA The Scientific Approach • LILA is a “living laboratory” where the scientific method is used by researchers to test their hypotheses • Scientists conduct “cause-and-effect” studies in LILA to ensure they understand why changes may be occurring in the Everglades • LILA is a unique facility because it is a large physical model where field experiments are conducted

  5. LILA Cause-and-Effect Study • The cause is the manipulation of only one aspect of the environment (ex. water depth) • The effect is revealed by measuring plant and animal responses to that cause • Studies like these are especially important for researchers to understand why changes are occurring

  6. LILA Design and Planning of LILA • Planning of LILA in 2000 • Construction began in 2002 • Establishment of vegetation in 2003 • Scientific studies initiated in 2005 • Initial research results available in 2006 • Studies projected to continue until 2012…

  7. LILA Key Objectives • To support the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) by defining the hydrology (ex. water depth and flow) that sustains a healthy Everglades ecosystem • To give experts an opportunity to conduct research and apply restoration techniques in a controlled environment before taking them into the vast 1.7 million-acre Everglades

  8. LILA Re-circulating Design • Hydrology is at the heart of LILA, where water levels are continuously controlled in four enclosed marshes called “macrocosms” • Water depth and flow is controlled independently in each macrocosm allowing scientists to study the effects on the natural system • An electric pump capable of moving more than 45,000 gallons of water per minute is used to simulate a variety of natural conditions

  9. LILA Marsh Habitat The three key habitats found in the natural Everglades system are also found at LILA. • Tree Islands - highest points in the marsh, provide drier habitats across the wetland • Ridges - slightly elevated sections of the marsh, dominated by sawgrass • Sloughs - like streams within the marsh, lowest in elevation, contain water lilies and submerged aquatic plants

  10. LILA Research Highlights • Determining the optimum levels for bird foraging by manipulating water depth • Determining the critical velocity needed to restore and sustain Everglades marsh elevations by monitoring the transport of sediments • Identifying the necessary hydrology for tree survival and growth by planting 6,000 trees on the created tree islands

  11. LILA Common Bird Sightings Little Blue Heron(Egretta caerulea) • Slate-blue and lime-green to blue-green legs Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus) • Glossy black with bright red patches bordered with yellow on the wing (male) or brown above and streaked below, sparrow like (female) Anhinga(Anhinga anhinga) • Long, thin necks, black above with silvery-white streaks and spots on wings and upper back

  12. LILA Identify Marsh Plants Pond Apple(Annona glabra) • Tree species with grey to brown bark, white flower and yellowish green apple-sized fruit Fragrant Water Lilly(Nymphaea odorata) • Aquatic species with floating circular leaves that are notched to the center, white aromatic flowers Buttonbush(Cephalanthusoccidentalus) • Shrub species with oval shaped leaves, flowers are ball-like structures on long stalks

  13. LILA Other Wildlife at LILA American Alligator(Alligator mississippiensis) • Lives almost exclusively in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps and marshes of the southeastern United States Eastern Lubber Grasshopper(Romalea microptera) • Limited to southeastern and south central United States, known for its large size and unique coloration North American River Otter(Lutra canadensis) • Member of the weasel family that thrives in river, lake, swamp or estuary ecosystems

  14. LILA Education • LILA is a key participant in Everglades teacher training workshops for the 7th & 9th grades • Scheduled tours of LILA are also available for students, teachers and scientists • Touring LILA includes presentations and hands-on activities that focus on Everglades ecology and restoration efforts

  15. LILA Visiting the Refuge In addition to learning about Everglades restoration at LILA, recreational opportunities are offered at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. • Walk, canoe or bike nature trails • Go fishing • Climb to the top of observation towers • Stroll through a butterfly garden • Stop in at the new visitor center

  16. LILA For more information on LILA visit: www.sfwmd.gov Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/ South Florida Water Management District 3301 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 (561) 686-8800

  17. Questions ?

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