ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the sometimes painful relationship that has existed between the people of South Florida and its crown jewel, the Everglades. It begins with a description of the original Everglades. The chapter discusses the engineered Everglades with its intricate system of levees and canals, and the events that led to the engineered system. It explains the problems with the existing system and a description of the Everglades Restoration Plan. The Everglades suffer from high mercury concentrations which has lead to fish consumption advisories for most of the Everglades waters and the further demise of the Florida Panther. The original Everglades could only exist by virtue of its large scale. The large scale gave the system its resilience and provided habitat for top predators and niche specialists. The chapter examines the consequences of the restoration for urban development, population growth and social equity in South Florida.
