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State of Conservation (SOC)

Everglades National Park (1989)

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds
International Assistance granted to the property

Requests Approved: 0
Total Amount Ap proved: 0USD

Missions**
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

There is increasing evidence that the major wetlands system of the Everglades in Florida is under considerable threat with the adverse impacts of changes in water quality and quantity arising from a range of developments agricultural, industrial and urban - which are altering the natural systems.

It is indicative of concern about the site that the US Government has commenced litigation against alleged offenders, including the State of Florida.

 

Conclusion

The Committee may wish to commend the States Party for its concern to maintain the integrity of the site.

Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

13COMVIII.16
Link to the decision

Everglades National Park (USA)

The representative of IUCN informed the Committee of a law suit that had been brought to bear against offenders to the integrity of this site. In addition, the representative of the U.S. informed the Committee of additional efforts to protect this site, notably the allocation by the U.S. Government of US$32 million to purchase over 43,000 ha of wetlands next to the Park which would help mitigate some of the problems related to the quality and quantity of freshwater entering the park. The Committee wished to commend the U.S. authorities for this initiative and for its commitment to maintain the park's integrity.

 

No draft Decision

Everglades National Park
State Party:
United States of America
Date of Inscription: 1979
Nomination records (Year): 1979
Category: Natural
Criteria: (viii)(ix)(x)
Exports
Word File
SOC Reports (year)
2012
2011
2010
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
1994
1993
1992
1989
Threats*
  • Housing
  • Industrial areas
  • Crop production
  • Other Threats:
Documents
SC.89/CONF.004/05
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1603
Inscription on the Danger List
Year: 2010
Threats to the Site:

The property was re-inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, on the request of the State Party, due to concerns that the property's aquatic ecosystem continues to deteriorate, in particular as a result of:

  • Alterations of the hydrological regime (quantity, timing, and distribution of Shark Slough inflows);
  • Adjacent urban and agricultural growth (flood protection and water supply requirements that affect the property's resources by lowering water levels);
  •   Increased nutrient pollution from upstream agricultural activities;
  •  Protection and management of FloridaBay resulting in significant reduction of both marine and estuarine biodiverstiy.

 

Year: 1993 -2007
Threats to the Site:

The site was inscribed on the List of the World Heritage in Danger in 1993 after the park's Superintendent informed the Committee of extensive damage to Everglades' ecology due to a number of causes including:

  • nearby urban growth,
  • pollution from fertilisers,
  • mercury poisoning of fish and wildlife,
  • a fall in water levels caused by flood protection measures.

In addition, on 24 August 1992, Hurricane Andrew altered much of Florida Bay and its ecological systems and destroyed the park's visitor centre.

 


* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.