Missing Pieces in Ecosystem Restoration: The Case of the Florida Everglades

• Published in: Economic systems research Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 271 - 303
• Main Author: Weisskoff, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-09-2000; Taylor and Francis Journals; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Series: Economic Systems Research
• Subjects: Conservation; Ecology; Economic impact; Economic Impact Analysis; Economic models; Ecosystem Restoration; Ecosystems; Environmental impact studies; Environmental policy; Florida; Florida Everglades; Impact analysis; Input output analysis; Regional Economic Models; Regional economics; Statistical analysis; Studies; Tourism; U.S.A; USA, Florida; Florida; United States > US; Everglades
• ISSN: 0953-5314; 1469-5758
• DOI: 10.1080/09535310050120899

The largest ecosystem restoration in the world-a $7.8 billion rescue package-is now beginning in the Florida Everglades. This paper examines both the economic impact of the restoration itself and those pieces that are 'missing' from the official project analysis; namely, increased tourism, urban construction, in-migration, and changing agricultural patterns. These pieces comprise a variety of scenarios that are tested for a 45 year planning period with an augmented input-output model derived from a regional SAM. The new output and employment generated by the 'missing pieces', which are small relative to the vast economic base of the region, do represent a considerable increase over the annual growth, especially by the year 2045. We conclude with a discussion of ways in which a growing regional economy might be reconciled with ecosystem restoration.