Alligator Ecology, Modeling, and Monitoring to Complement MAP

This project will accomplish several tasks with a combination of field data collection, GIS mapping, and computer simulation. Our main objectives are designed to answer questions critical to restoration success and to provide the tools necessary for evaluation:

1. Develop monitoring methods necessary for evaluation of restoration success in alligator populations.
2. Understand the effects of decompartmentalization and other CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan) projects on restoration of alligator populations.
3. Identify and quantify the extent of aquatic refugia maintained by alligators throughout the system and develop relationships necessary to predict restoration of refugia.
4. Validate and update ecological models for use in prediction of the effects of restoration.

本项目将结合野外数据采集、地理信息系统（Geographic Information System, GIS）制图与计算机模拟技术，完成多项研究任务。本项目的核心目标旨在解答与修复成效息息相关的关键问题，并提供评估所需的必要工具：
1. 研发适用于短吻鳄种群修复成效评估的监测方法。
2. 厘清分区解除（decompartmentalization）及其他综合大沼泽地修复计划（Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, CERP）项目对短吻鳄种群修复的影响。
3. 识别并量化短吻鳄在整个生态系统中维持的水生避难所的范围，并建立可用于预测避难所修复进程的相关关系模型。
4. 验证并更新用于预测修复措施影响的生态模型。