The Economics of Everglades Restoration

Missing Pieces in the Future of South Florida

Richard Weisskoff, Professor, teaching economics in the Department of International Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables, US

The restoration of the Florida Everglades, the largest ecosystem restoration project in the world, is now underway. Missing from the original plan, however, is a study of the region’s cities and farms and the economic impact their growth will make on this already endangered ecosystem. This book provides that analysis.

‘Weisskoff’s analysis of the current economic conditions in South Florida and the predictions he is able to make about their future levels represent and obvious achievement. . . Tragically, a new audience for the book might arise from the planners charged with the redesign of the city of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, another area where the linkages between the ecological processes and the economic and societal development of the region are quite obvious.’
– Marc Conte, Journal of Regional Science

‘I found the book informative and recommend it to those considering similar studies of ecological and economy conflict, water resources planners, and urban and regional economists. The book is an excellent guide for studying urban growth impacts in ecologically sensitive areas, as it is about methodology in addition to being about the Everglades region.’
– Donald E. Agthe, Journal of the American Water Resources Association

‘The book provides valuable contributions on three related fronts: it places past and current debates on ecosystem restoration of the Everglades in a clear systems context that acknowledges feedback between ecosystem quality and economic growth; shows for the case of the Everglades that good intentions of providing generous financial support for restoration may lead to undesired effects that actually run counter to the original goal; and demonstrates the use of regional modeling tools to develop consistent baseline forecasts and alternative scenarios.’
– Matthias Ruth, University of Maryland, College Park, US