The Important Bird Areas of Florida - National Audubon Society

The Important Bird Areas of Florida: 2000–2002 – Pranty – 2-Jul-02 251development. From 1968 through 1971, GAC excavated a series of canals that drastically drained thearea and changed its ecology. Prior to development, the area was characterized by seasonal floodingand broad, slow-moving sheet flow that served as the headwaters of the Ten Thousand Islandssystem. Today, 40 miles (64 km) of canals intercept large volumes of surface and groundwater flowand quickly divert them into Faka Union Bay, thus over-draining the area and damaging the ecologyof the bay. The State now is buying back hundreds of 5-, 10-, and 20-acre (2-, 4-, and 8-ha) lots tocreate Picayune Strand State Forest. The South Florida Water Management District's “HydrologicRestoration of Southern Golden Gate Estates Conceptual Plan” proposes to restore the hydrology andsheet water flow to the SGGE area by blocking canals, removing roads, and pumping water out ofcanals. The plan cannot begin all the private lots are purchased or condemned. • Several invasiveexotic plants occur on the Refuge, including Brazilian pepper, Australian-pine, and latherleaf. Theyare controlled as needed. • A variety of recreational and commercial uses (e.g., commercial and sportfishing, crabbing, and waterfowl hunting) occur on the Refuge, which may create excessive humandisturbance. Ecotourism includes canoe camping trips, boat cruises, and shelling trips. • TenThousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge has an approved Comprehensive Conservation Plan thatprovides the framework for management for the next 15 years. Included within the Plan are severalproposed reductions to address some of the above concerns.NOMINATED BY: Terry Doyle (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)REFERENCE: +Odum, W.E., and C.C. McIvor. 1990. Mangroves. Pages 517–548 in Ecosystems ofFlorida (R.L. Myers and J.J. Ewel, editors). University of Central Florida Press. Orlando, FL.WEBSITE: