CERP Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Phase 1 Project Vegetation Transect & Periphyton Monitoring

Changes in hydrology and salinity resulting from decades of water diversion from the Biscayne Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) have caused a significant landward displacement of coastal communities. The BBCW Phase 1 project was designed to restore more natural patterns of freshwater delivery into the wetlands and Biscayne Bay by redirecting fresh water that is currently discharged through canals to spreaders in the coastal wetlands. This report details the results of vegetation, soils, and periphyton monitoring intended to evaluate the effectiveness of the rehydration project in rehabilitating wetlands of the L-31E Flow way, Cutler Wetlands Flow way, and North Canal Freshwater Wetlands. Monitoring was conducted by Florida International University under purchase order 4500004610 with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).