jump to the content
Advanced search

State of Conservation (SOC)

Everglades National Park (1992)

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

Agricultural, industrial and urban developments altering the natural systems

Corrective Measures
Current conservation issues

[Oral report by IUCN and the Secretariat]

Conclusion
Decision

  • Adopted

  • Draft Decision

16COMVIII
Link to the decision

Everglades National Park (United States of America)

The Delegate for the United States of America informed the Committee members of the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew to this site. The hurricane which affected extensive areas in south Florida on 24 August 1992, damaged virtually all large hammock trees and destroyed 20-25% of the royal palms, 25-40% of the pines, 90% of trees where the red-cockaded woodpeckers nested and 70,000 acres of mangrove forests. Despite the extent of the damage caused, the Committee noted with satisfaction that a post-hurricane survey of the area undertaken by a team of 25 scientists has indicated that the recovery of vegetation and the status of wildlife populations was satisfactory. The representative of IUCN informed the Committee that IUCN has discussed the desirability of preparing a monitoring report, in 1993, on the Everglades with the US National Park Service. IUCN will consult with the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention to obtain information on the recovery of the Everglades system from damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, as well as the impacts of the diversion of waters flowing into the Everglades for agricultural and industrial uses.

The Representative of IUCN said that a monitoring report to made to the Bureau is being considered, which may include a recommendation to inscribe the Everglades on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

 

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
  • Storms
  • Other Threats:
Documents
WHC.92/CONF.002/12
Other Documents:
View inscribed site documents, nomination file, reports, decisions, ...
SOC ID: 1704
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.