Fig. 1.5 Example of potential natural environments in and around the eastern and southern parts of the
Florida Everglades. Because these environments have been modified by human action, they are referred
to as potential natural environments based on the supposition that these are the ecosystems that existed,
based on interpretations of soils, prior to human intervention and to which they could theoretically reequilibrate. In some cases this is impossible due to urbanization, but in other cases the potential remains
in protected areas such as the Loxahatchee Wetlands. This map includes 12 coastal land systems, 25
land facets, and 8 phases. The Water Conservation Areas were not mapped so that satellite image patterns could be visualized in the cognitive mapping process. This study area covered more than 6000 km
2
covered by water (Lake Okeechobee) and coastal wetlands (lakebed, freshwater marsh, littoral marsh,
prairies, sloughs, lagoons, and estuaries) (Credit: Finkl and Restrepo-Coupe 2007)
Florida Everglades. Because these environments have been modified by human action, they are referred
to as potential natural environments based on the supposition that these are the ecosystems that existed,
based on interpretations of soils, prior to human intervention and to which they could theoretically reequilibrate. In some cases this is impossible due to urbanization, but in other cases the potential remains
in protected areas such as the Loxahatchee Wetlands. This map includes 12 coastal land systems, 25
land facets, and 8 phases. The Water Conservation Areas were not mapped so that satellite image patterns could be visualized in the cognitive mapping process. This study area covered more than 6000 km
2
covered by water (Lake Okeechobee) and coastal wetlands (lakebed, freshwater marsh, littoral marsh,
prairies, sloughs, lagoons, and estuaries) (Credit: Finkl and Restrepo-Coupe 2007)