An analysis of spatial complexity of ridge and slough patterns in the Everglades ecosystem

Pattern analysis suggested that there is a wide range in ridge and slough patterns in the Everglades which can be described with landscape indices. These patterns may represent natural, deteriorating or deteriorated states of spatial complexity in the ecosystem. Lacunarity index (LI), ranging from 1.75 to 4.45 indicated a natural pattern while an LI below 1.75 or above 4.45 represented deteriorating or deteriorated patterns. It is assumed that natural patterns were created, maintained and balanced by historical flows through the system; while deteriorating or deteriorated patterns are due to hydrologic alteration. The results suggest that changes in landscape patterns are gradual and happen within the constraint of natural variations (e.g., 1.75 < LI < 4.45) or can drastically change due to a trigger or dynamic process leading to a loss of resilience. This loss of resilience can pave the way for a catastrophic shift which might have a threshold useful for predictions of success of flow restoration in the Everglades. Scientists and managers can utilize these metrics and their threshold values as one tool in evaluating different restoration alternatives.