TABLE OF CONTENTS 
LIST OF TABLES.j 
LIST OF FIGURES.jjj 
ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLS.v 
ABSTRACT.1 
1. INTRODUCTION.1 
2. DESCRIPTION OF FLORIDA BAY ECOSYSTEM.2 
3. INFORMATION GATHERING METHODS.8 
4. NAVIGATION AND CARTOGRAPHY.9 
4.1. Charts and maps.9 
4.1.1. NOAA charts.9 
4.1.2. USGSmaps.11 
4.2. Coast Pilot.1 1 
4.3. Aerial photography and remote sensing.13 
5. ATMOSPHERIC, GEOLOGICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA.1 4 
5.1. South Florida climate.14 
5.1.1. Weatherstations.15 
5.1.2. Tornadoes.15 
5.1.3. Hurricanes.18 
5.2. El Nino events.2 2 
5.3. Volcanic eruptions.2 3 
5.4. Solar cycles .2 3 
5.5. Sea level change.2 5 
6. ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.2 5 
6.1. Species status.2 5 
6.2. Algal blooms.26 
6.3. Coral reef degradation and diseases.2 6 
6.4. Seagrass dieoffs.27 
6.5. Sponge dieoffs.2 8 
6.6. Mangrove dieoffs.2 9 
6.7. Fish dieoffs.31 
6.8. Fish catch changes.31 
6.9. Wading birds.34 
6.10. Fires in the Everglades National Park.3 6 
7. ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGES.38 
7.1. Population changes.38 
7.2. Hydrology and canal construction.4 0 
7.3. Soil subsidence.a.4 1 
7.4. Railroad and Overseas Highway .42 
7.5. Homestead Air Force Base .4 3 
7.6. Everglades Jetport.44 
7.7. Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant.4 4 
7.8. Agricultural activities.44 
8. LEGISLATION.4 5 
8.1. Federal legislation.4 5 
8.1.1. Federal Clean Water Act.4 5 
8.1.2. Clean Air Act.4 5 
8.1.3. Toxic Substances Control Act.4 5 
8.1.4. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.4 5 
8.1.5. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.4 6 
8.1.6. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act.4 6 
