The past, present, and potential future of phosphorus management in the Florida Everglades

Abstract

The Florida Everglades, the largest subtropical wetland in North America, is in the midst of one of the most comprehensive and expensive environmental restoration efforts in history. Over the past 150 years, the Everglades has suffered substantial degradation due to massive drainage projects, polluting agricultural practices, and urban population growth. Decades of scientific investigation have shown that phosphorus (P) pollution is a primary driver of this environmental decline. This paper reviews how and why specific P‐management goals and strategies have been adopted in support of Everglades restoration, focusing on the often‐contentious process for converting science into restoration policies and standards. We synthesize current P‐management successes, failures, and tradeoffs, including the challenge of balancing multiple hydrologic and water quality restoration goals with the priorities and values of a diverse group of stakeholders. We then highlight promising future directions for Everglades P policy and propose questions to help guide the discussion of future restoration priorities and research needs in this and other complex social–ecological systems. The overall goals of this review are thus twofold: (1) to support an in‐depth understanding of the past, present, and potential future of P management approaches in this globally unique social–ecological system; and (2) to provide a broader framework for understanding how the coevolution of science and policy can support or undermine large‐scale ecosystem restoration.