Florida's Constructed Wetlands: The Effects of Their Failures on Existing Ecosystems

Date of Award

8-24-2007

Document Type

Undergraduate Capstone Project

Degree Name

Master of Applied Science

Organizational Unit

University College, Environmental Policy and Management

Disciplines

Environmental Policy & Mgmt

First Advisor

William Robinson

Keywords

Constructed wetlands, Florida, Failed mitigation projects, Man-made wetlands, Mitigation projects, Section 404, Wetland ecology, Wetland mitigation, Wetland restoration

Abstract

Florida's wetlands have been drained and filled for purposes of urban development, farmland and other development activities necessary for human survival. Like the Clean Water Act's Section 404, 33 U.S.C. 1344, the State of Florida's wetland mitigation rules can be interpreted as guidelines with options to offset adverse impacts as a result of unavoidable wetland losses, rather than firm requirements with stipulated penalties. The combination of ambiguous wetland mitigation rules, inadequate planning and design and lack of long-term effective monitoring have led to many constructed wetland projects failure. Constructed wetland failures have led to ecological effects such as flooding, loss of important wildlife species and introduction of invasive species. However, recommendations to improve the Florida's wetland mitigation rules are provided.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

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