It took the brunt of Irmas four to six foot surges last weekend. Tiffany Troxler, an Everglades ecologist at Florida International University, told Gizmodo that the marshes found here are adapted to powerful storms and powerful surges. But thanks to the diversion of freshwater from the Everglades over the past century, these systems are in a weakened condition, she said. Having the system in a state in which the freshwater wetlands are becoming more saline, plus the increasing effects of sea level rise, means that the system cant respond as well to extreme events, she said. On a brighter note, Troxler added that storm surges can deposit phosphorus rich sands into wetlands, possibly helping some of these nutrient poor ecosystems recover. Up the coastline near the mouth of Shark River, Davis noted that the Everglades highly productive mangrove forests seemed largely intact, although many taller stands of trees were entirely defoliated. Again, it will take a long timemonths, if not years of survey workto fully assess the damage these ecosystems incurred and the degree to which theyll recover. Davis and his colleagues see this as important work, not just because the Everglades is an ecological treasure, but because the people of South Florida depend on the ecosystem services it provides, from coastal protection to clean drinking water. Our water filters through the Everglades, Davis said. If the predicted effects of climate change, from sea level rise to more intense storms, indicates one thing to South Floridas ecologists, its that the urgency to restore a more natural flow of freshwater into the Everglades, in order to rebuild ecological resilience, has never been greater. Right now were planning for in 2. Troxler said. Its not that far in the future. And these episodic events that may accelerate the loss of ecosystems are what we really dont understand. Update This article was updated to reflect Steve Davis affiliation at the Everglades foundation. If you travel by airplane often, you know the hassle of waiting in lines. Thats why TSA PreCheck is a lifesaver. Weve already reported on whether paying extra. Rosetta Stone 4. 5 Final for English, Spanish, Japanese and French including language audio pack in direct download link by softasm. Rosetta Stone 5 Language.