Water Quality Trends at Inflows to Everglades National Park, 1977–2005

Water quality at inflows to Everglades National Park (ENP) showed significant improvement from 1977 to 2005, with notable decreases in total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. This finding suggests progress toward restoration goals for the Florida Everglades, a critical ecosystem. Researchers analyzed data from seven inflow sites using principal component analysis and factor analysis, identifying trends and relationships between hydrology and nutrient levels. While TP, total nitrogen (TN), and other nutrients generally declined, water quality standards were still exceeded at some sites during the study period. The study also highlighted potential indicators for more efficient monitoring of restoration efforts, emphasizing the role of hydrology in mediating water quality trends.

Hanlon, E. A., Fan, X. H., Gu, B., Migliaccio, K. W., Li, Y. C., & Dreschel, T. W. (2010). Water Quality Trends at Inflows to Everglades National Park, 1977–2005. Journal of Environmental Quality, 39(5), 1724–1733. Portico. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2009.0488