CESI Research Project 97-19

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Wading Birds of South Florida
Stuart Pimm

 

Wading Bird Success Provides an Important Measure of Health for the Everglades Ecosystem

NPS Photo

 

Historically, large flocks of wading birds were an iconic presence on the Everglades landscape. Over the course of millennia, these populations grew attuned to the seasonal cycles of flood and drought in the "River of Grass." The advent of the twentieth century, however, would bring unforeseen peril as plume hunters sent south Florida populations plummeting.

Subsequent decades would bring additional stresses in the form of habitat loss, pollution, and the advent of artificial water management. It is estimated that the Everglades have lost nearly 90% of their wading birds, making these species critical bellwethers in our restoration efforts. This CESI-funded investigation used multi-year surveys to ascertain the relative abundance of wading birds remaining in Everglades National Park.

 

 

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Contact Sonny Bass

 

Contact the principal investigator directly with questions about this study.