PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS: Florida International University College of William & Mary Florida Gulf Coast University Harbor Branch Ocean. Institute Louisiana State University Michigan State University Nova Southeastern University Rutgers University Texas A&M University University of Alabama University of Florida University of Colorado University of Miami University of North Carolina University of South Florida University of Virginia PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS: Florida International University College of William & Mary Florida Gulf Coast University Harbor Branch Ocean. Institute Louisiana State University Michigan State University Nova Southeastern University Rutgers University Texas A&M University University of Alabama University of Florida University of Colorado University of Miami University of North Carolina University of South Florida University of Virginia Florida Coastal Everglades LTER PARTICIPATING AGENCIES: Everglades National Park South Florida Water Management District U.S.G.S., NASA, Everglades Foundation National Audubon Society PARTICIPATING AGENCIES: Everglades National Park South Florida Water Management District U.S.G.S., NASA, Everglades Foundation National Audubon Society FCE LTER

NSF LTER Network 26 sites Funding for ecological science on 6-year cycle (long-term intention) Sites conduct similar science with similar goals FCE LTER funded in 2000 with 2 other coastal sites

Research is supported by the National Science Foundation. SITES RESEARCH FUNDING Research focuses on the area where freshwater and estuarine vegetation mix, or the "oligohaline ecotone.” Everglades Restoration: Tamiami Trail modifications are expected to increase freshwater flow to Shark River Slough. How will changes in freshwater flow, climate, and human activities affect ecosystem and population dynamics in the Everglades? = $4.2 million = $4.9 million

Education: K-12 Undergraduate Graduate Education: K-12 Undergraduate Graduate Communication: Decision makers Public Scientists Communication: Decision makers Public Scientists Cyber-Infrastructure: Technology Innovation Computing Information Management Cyber-Infrastructure: Technology Innovation Computing Information Management Collaborative Research: Data Acquisition Analysis & Synthesis Network Science Collaborative Research: Data Acquisition Analysis & Synthesis Network Science FCE LTER What we do:

FW PPT WC HD ESF MW GW Cross-Cutting Themes: Hydrology Climate/Disturbance Human Dimensions Modeling and Synthesis Cross-Cutting Themes: Hydrology Climate/Disturbance Human Dimensions Modeling and Synthesis Ecosystem Structure and Function Working Groups: Biogeochemical Cycling Primary Production Organic Matter Dynamics Trophic Dynamics Ecosystem Structure and Function Working Groups: Biogeochemical Cycling Primary Production Organic Matter Dynamics Trophic Dynamics Tides SLR Tides SLR Climate Storms Climate Storms FCE Research Framework H1H1 H1H1 H2H2 H2H2 H3H3 H3H3 H3H3

FCE II and The Grand Experiment FCE LTER HYPOTHESES

Expecting the Unexpected: Pandora’s Box of Paradox in an “Upside-Down” Estuary Evelyn Gaiser Florida International University

Paradox 1: The Everglades is an “Upside- Down” estuary

Instead of high magnitude P and N delivery from upstream, Everglades estuaries are fed by marine source of P, the limiting nutrient Childers et al. (2006) L&O P N P N Paradox 1: The Everglades is an “Upside- Down” estuary

Paradox 2: High productivity persists despite oligotrophy Instead of low production under nutrient stress, the Everglades ecosystem efficiently recycles nutrients and attains relatively high levels of productivity Gaiser et al., 2006

Total Phosphorus (µg g -1 ) Ash Free Dry Mass (g m -2 ) R² = y = x R² = (Everglades) (Caribbean) y = x Paradox 2: High productivity persists despite oligotrophy

Paradox 3: High productivity does not translate to high consumer production Primary Producers Primary Consumers 2º Cons 3ºC3ºC 10% moves to next level Biomass or Density

Turner et al. (1999) Primary Producers 1º Cons 2ºC2ºC 3ºC3ºC 1% moves to next level Biomass or Density Paradox 3: High productivity does not translate to high consumer production

Pandora goes to the Caribbean  Exist throughout the world, particularly in coastal regions, on ancient carbonate platforms  Are particularly abundant in the Caribbean but not well studied Florida Everglades Black River Morass, Jamaica Sian Ka’an, Mexico New River, Belize Known freshwater karstic wetlands Visited sites

Education: K-12 Undergraduate Graduate Education: K-12 Undergraduate Graduate Communication: Decision makers Public Scientists Communication: Decision makers Public Scientists Cyber-Infrastructure: Technology Innovation Computing Information Management Cyber-Infrastructure: Technology Innovation Computing Information Management Collaborative Research: Data Acquisition Analysis & Synthesis Network Science Collaborative Research: Data Acquisition Analysis & Synthesis Network Science FCE LTER What we do: