Decorative banner photo of juvenile alligator.

Conceptual Ecological Models

Conceptual ecological models, as used in CERP, are non-quantitative planning tools used to identify major anthropogenic drivers and stressors on natural systems, the ecological effects of these stressors, and the best biological attributes or indicators of these ecological responses. Conceptual ecological models can be used with any ecological restoration and conservation program, and can become the primary communication, planning, and assessment link among scientists and policy-makers.

A set of conceptual ecological models has been developed for South Florida restoration as a framework for supporting integration of science and policy. They are key components of an Adaptive Management Program being developed for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Eleven South Florida regional models, one total system model for South Florida, and one international regional model were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Wetlands 2006.

Lake Okeechobee

Northern Estuaries

Greater Everglades

Southern Coastal Systems

Total System

  • Use of Conceptual Ecological Models

  • Minutes

  • Lake Worth Lagoon

  • Caloosahatchee

  • Loxahatchee

  • St Lucie and Indian River Lagoon

  • Big Cypress

  • Mangrove

  • Ridge and Slough

  • Southern Marl

  • Biscayne Bay

  • Florida Bay

  • Minutes

Points of Contact

Project Manager
Army Corps of Engineers
904-232-1682

Project Manager
South Florida Water Management District

561-682-2342

Redirecting...

Additional RECOVER Info

  1. System Status Reports
  2. Adaptive Management
  3. Assistance to Projects
  4. Conceptual Ecological Models
  5. Interim Goals & Targets
  6. RECOVER Team
  7. Monitoring & Assessment Plan (page under construction)
  8. Performance Measures
    • Greater Everglades PM Docs
    • Lake Okeechobee Watershed PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Northern Estuaries PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Southern Coastal Systems PM Docs (page under construction)
    • System-wide PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Total System PM Docs (page under construction)
    • Water Supply and Flood Protection PM Docs (page under construction)
  9. Recover Reviews (page under construction)
  10. System-wide Modeling (page under construction)