History and description of the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project, a subtropical constructed wetland in south Florida (USA)

The biotic integrity of the Florida Everglades is threatened due to degradation of water quality and hydrologic changes associated with agricultural and urban development in the region. Restoration strategies being implemented by State and Federal governments include building approximately 18,000 ha of treatment wetlands to reduce nutrient loads in runoff before this water enters the Everglades. The South Florida Water Management District (District) built and operated a 1544 ha prototype wetland, the Everglades Nutrient Removal Project (ENRP), to gain the operational experience and design data needed to maximize long-term nutrient removal performance in the larger wetlands. The District conducted extensive research and monitoring in the ENRP from 1994 to 1999. This paper presents a brief history and description of the project and serves as an introduction to this special issue of Ecological Engineering devoted to the ENRP.