The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 159CONSERVATION ISSUES: Kissimmee River: The River and its floodplain represented a uniqueecosystem because the floodplain was inundated for much of the year. Extensive floodplain marshesflanked by wet prairies and temperate hammocks supported a large and diverse bird community,including several listed species and large numbers of wading birds and waterfowl +(NAS 1936–1959,+Perrin et al. 1982). The entire length of the Kissimmee River was channelized into a canal for floodprotection and land reclamation between 1962 and 1970. The biological impacts of channelizationwere severe: 35 miles (56 km) of river channel were destroyed, 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) offloodplain were drained and converted mostly to pasture, waterfowl use declined 92%, and BaldEagle territories along the river declined 74%. • A comprehensive plan to restore the KissimmeeRiver has begun. Phase 1 of the restoration—backfilling 7.5 miles (12 km) of canal, restoring 15miles (24 km) of river channel habitat, and reflooding 11,132 acres (4453 ha) of floodplainwetlands—was completed in February 2001. The initial response by birds was phenomenal and isexpected to increase as the prey base in the reflooded wetlands returns. • Future phases of restorationwill be completed by 2001. Total restoration involves recreating (___ square miles) 104 square km ofriver–floodplain habitats, restoring 26,820 acres (10,728 ha) of floodplain wetlands, restoring 43miles (69 km) of original river channel, and improving habitats for more than 320 species of wildlife.The restored river channel is expected to support >10,000 wading birds, with at least 2000 breedingpairs anticipated. A significant increase in wintering waterfowl already has been observed in therestored section of the river. • The primary goal of restoration is to establish a self-sustaining river–floodplain ecosystem. An adaptive management plan for the restored Kissimmee River system isproposed to perpetuate ecosystem health and function. Lake Kissimmee: ____. Lake KissimmeeState Park: The park is managed by the Department of Recreation and Parks. An active prescribedburning program is in place. • A recent acquisition of 850 acres (340 ha) was added along the northshore of Lake Rosalie. The habitat is cattle pasture–marsh that will continue to be grazed in the shortterm,but will be restored to wetlands eventually by removing ditches and replanting with nativevegetation.NOMINATED BY: Kissimmee River: Stefani Melvin (South Florida Water Management District), LakeKissimmee: _____, Lake Kissimmee State Park: Erik Egensteiner (Florida Division of Recreationand Parks)REFERENCES: +Melvin, S.L. 2001. Waterbird use of a hydrologically altered river system. Florida FieldNaturalist 29: 1–12. • +Morrison, J.L. 1996. Distribution and habitat use of Audubon's CrestedCaracara (Caracara plancus audubonii) within the Kissimmee River restoration project area. Finalreport to South Florida Water Management District, Project PC P601833. West Palm Beach, FL. •+Morrison, J.L. 1997. Distribution and habitat use of Audubon's Crested Caracara (Caracara plancusaudubonii) within the Kissimmee River restoration project area. Final report to South Florida WaterManagement District, Project PC P703067. West Palm Beach, FL. • +NAS. 1936–1959. Audubonwarden field reports. National Audubon Society. Everglades National Park. Homestead, FL. •+Perrin, L., M.J. Allen, L.A. Rowse, F. Montalbano, III, K.J. Foote, and M.W. Olinde. 1982. A reporton fish and wildlife studies in the Kissimmee River basin and recommendations for restoration.Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. Okeechobee, FL. • +Rodgers, J.A., Jr., S.T.Schwikert, and A.S. Wenner. 1988. Status of the Snail Kite in Florida: 1981–1985. American Birds42: 30–35. • +Toth, L.A. 1993. The ecological basis of the Kissimmee River restoration plan. FloridaScientist 56: 25–51.WEBSITES: ,