observed recently in the seagrass meadows in Hawk Channel between the Keys and the 
coral reefs to the southeast. 
1993 0 
Snedaker, S. C. (1993) Impact on mangroves. Climatic Change in the Intra-Americas Sea . G. 
Maul (ed.). Edward Arnold, New York. 282-305 
[DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] Within the region, there are 
approximately 3,230,000 hectares of coastal shoreline dominated by mangrove 
vegetation which represents some 15% of the world inventory of mangroves. Unlike 
some parts of Asia, the mangroves of the region are not utilized in a sustainable 
manner although there are a variety of local uses, such as for timber, fuel and 
charcoal. In less populated areas, mangrove vegetation persists in a relatively 
undisturbed state. In populated areas, however, the habitat is used for the disposal of 
wastes, cleared for development projects, or exploited for other purposes, such as 
shrimp mariculture, all of which are incompatible with the sustainability of nearshore 
fisheries and environmental quality. In the context of global change, mangroves are 
more likely to be affected by changes in regional precipitation rather than by rising 
temperature and sea level. Specifically, mangrove areas that receive substantial 
precipitation and freshwater runoff are likely to persist, whereas mangrove areas 
exposed to full-strength seawater may be overstepped and lost. Because of the 
importance of intertidal mangroves in shoreline protection, fisheries support and water 
quality, efforts should be taken by the appropriate authorities and organizations to curb 
abuses and protect the resource for both ecological and economic purposes. Florida Bay 
is listed in the paper as one of the mangrove forests in the US. 
1993 0 
Van Lent, T. (1993) Towards the restoration of Taylor Slough. South Florida Natural 
Resources Center, Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL. 20 pp. 
[DATE OF SAMPLING UNKNOWN OR NOT APPLICABLE.] In this report, we have tried to 
describe in a clear and unambiguous manner why water levels, not surface water 
inflows, are the key to restoring Taylor Slough and its headwaters. The most tangible 
measure of hydrologic restoration is the extent to which natural water levels and 
inundation patterns are reproduced. If water levels are corrected, then the timing and 
distribution of flows in Taylor Slough and into Florida Bay will directly follow. We have 
outlined a proposed water management approach that specified target water levels at 
two locations as guidelines for the restoration of the Taylor Slough basin. These target 
water levels are based upon the hydrologic conditions observed at approximately the 
time when the Park was established. By making these stations respond to rainfall and 
reproduce the pattern of historical water levels, we contend that this is the most 
reliable way of reestablishing more natural water levels and flows throughout the 
basin. This proposal addresses two fundamental points: (1) it defines water level 
targets that are more like the estimated pre-project conditions, and (2) it 
reestablishes the traditional linkage between marsh water levels and rainfall. Our 
proposal does not specify exactly how these targets are to be met by operation of the 
regional water management system. Therefore, water managers will enjoy some 
flexibility in balancing the conflicting goals of flood control and water supply with the 
environmental requirements of Everglades National Park. This approach provides a 
tangible blueprint to meet the legislative mandate for minimum levels in the Everglades, 
and is a step toward restoring a more natural Everglades ecosystem. The most 
important points we wish to make in this brief report are the following. Water levels, 
not flow volumes, are the most tangible measure of hydrologic restoration. Restoring 
water levels will result in the restoration of both the timing and distribution of surface 
water flows in Taylor Slough and Florida Bay. The environmental requirements of 
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