Dynamics of total phosphate in the greater Everglades

Controlling and reducing excess phosphate is a fundamental objective of Everglades restoration. The immense, complex structural composition of South Florida landscapes and ecosystems, coupled with the multidecadal time scale of restoration, present a challenge to integrated assessment of restoration efforts. We address this with state space based convergent cross mapping to identify drivers and links of phosphate in response to construction and operation of stormwater treatment areas, engineered wetlands designed to sequester phosphate. Results identify drivers of phosphate dynamics, connecting dynamic response to nutrient and water management actions. Convergent cross mapping and state space dimensional reduction provide data-driven, model-free indicators of phosphate dynamics. We also identify low-flow conditions along the Everglades National Park inflow boundary as influential drivers of phosphate concentrations.