Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science has received a $1.4 million grant from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to study dry season prey concentrations in the Florida Everglades over five years.
The research, led by Michelle L. Petersen, Ph.D., aims to collect and analyze data on aquatic prey and habitat conditions during the dry season across the freshwater Everglades. This work will focus on understanding how these factors affect wading bird nesting success.
“This project is incredibly exciting because it allows us to quantify the link between water conditions, fish populations and wading bird nesting across the Everglades,” said Petersen. “By identifying when and where prey concentrations occur, we can better understand what drives nesting success and provide information that directly supports restoration efforts in this unique and vital ecosystem.”
The study supports the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), an initiative by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized under federal law to restore South Florida’s ecosystem through changes in water management practices. A key part of CERP is monitoring ecological responses to restoration activities to guide future decisions.
“One of the biggest questions we’re trying to answer through this project is how wading birds respond to changes in water levels, especially during the dry season when the concentration of prey can make or break their nesting success,” said Petersen.
Research indicates that reductions in fish and other aquatic prey are linked to declines in wading bird populations, particularly when these prey do not concentrate in areas accessible for birds during dry periods. Previous studies have shown that wet-season abundance does not predict nesting outcomes; instead, dense concentrations of prey during drying periods are critical for sustaining large colonies.
Petersen’s team will use a multi-stage sampling approach to measure aquatic prey densities and monitor variability related to hydrologic conditions throughout areas such as Everglades National Park, Water Conservation Areas, and the C-111 Basin. The project will also look at how site characteristics and microtopography affect where and when these concentrations form.
This research builds on earlier monitoring efforts but seeks to address gaps left when traditional surveys stopped due to low water levels making sites inaccessible by boat. The new data will help strengthen predictive models used by managers implementing restoration under CERP.
“Dr. Petersen’s work underscores the vital role university-led research plays in driving effective ecosystem restoration and generating studies that inform crucial state and federal agency actions on comprehensive environmental stewardship,” said Valery E. Forbes, Ph.D., dean of the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “This grant reflects the excellence of her work and commitment to producing impactful science that will safeguard the Everglades for generations to come.”
Fieldwork will involve systematic sampling during dry seasons using standardized methods across various habitats expected to show peak prey concentrations as they dry out each year. The findings are intended to guide ongoing restoration strategies for supporting both wading birds and overall ecosystem recovery.
“We anticipate this project will greatly improve our understanding of the links between hydrology, prey availability, and wading bird nesting, providing crucial insight into how restoration efforts can most effectively achieve the goals of CERP,” said Petersen. “By combining long-term monitoring with innovative analysis, this work marks an important step forward in both the science and management of one of the world’s most iconic wetland ecosystems.”
