ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the ecosystem plan protocol developed through two Florida case studies. The first case examines the ability of local comprehensive plans in Florida to incorporate the principles of ecosystem management. The second case evaluates the collective capabilities of local jurisdictions to manage large transboundary ecological systems in southern Florida. It combines plan evaluation with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques to map, measure, and analyze the existing mosaic of management across selected ecosystems in the southern portion of the State. By measuring and mapping total ecosystem plan quality (SEPQ) scores, results show that if planners wish to improve the lower scoring ecosystems in southern Florida, they should focus ecosystem management efforts on less developed, inland-dominated ecosystem management areas (EMA). This recommendation would entail a more proactive approach to local planning, where ecosystem protection strategies are established before significant development takes place, as opposed to a traditional reactionary policymaking stance.
