CERP Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Phase 1 Project Deering Estate Flow way - Vegetation Monitoring

Part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands (BBCW) project is a multi-agency, multi-year effort with the goal of restoring a more natural flow of freshwater from the Everglades, through coastal vegetation communities, and into Biscayne Bay. The Deering Estate Flow-way (DEF) is a critical component of the BBCW which was completed in 2012 when pumps began to move fresh water from the retention pond at the former Powers Property, beneath Old Cutler Road, and into historical Cutler Creek. Since 2016, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) has contracted Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (FTBG) to study vegetation change over time in the upland plant communities of the Deering Estate Flowway. The work presented herein includes the year 10 post-restoration re-sampling of vegetation data from permanent monitoring plots, which are distributed through different plant communities in the flowway. Monitoring was conducted by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden under purchase order 4500004675 with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).