Habitat Restoration zone returns to Myakka

Habitat restoration is the process of repairing an ecosystem to its original or near-original state by reestablishing the ecological functions and biodiversity of a degraded natural community. It is necessary in areas degraded or destroyed by human activities like deforestation, overgrazing, mining, clearing land for agriculture and damming rivers.

As part of efforts to restore the natural flow of the Wild and Scenic Myakka River, to the benefit of Myakka’s ecosystems and our community, an exciting habitat restoration project is currently underway at the Upper Myakka Lake. This project commenced in 2022, when a weir built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, which negatively impacted the ecosystem, was removed. A bypass channel created in 1974 was filled in when the weir was removed, to restore a floodplain marsh that previously existed in the area.

Habitat restoration of highly impacted areas to their former health, functionality and diversity takes time. As a floodplain marsh, the newly re-created habitat is seasonally flooded. Indeed, this year, as a result of three powerful storms, this area was completely submerged for months. Native wildlife and plants that live in or along the river depend on such seasonal flooding to survive and thrive. But such hydro periods do create additional challenges for effectively restoring vegetation to this highly impacted area.

While a habitat is recovering, human behavior can be unintentionally detrimental in multiple ways. First, approaching park visitors scare wildlife away, which excludes them, and their role in this ecosystem, from the habitat being restored. And continuous human trampling is the main suppressor of natural re-vegetation, which is critical for rebuilding the habitat and controlling erosion.

To aid in these important restoration efforts, Friends of Myakka River volunteers, in coordination with park management, recently re-installed temporary fencing around this sensitive zone. Encouragingly, thanks to reduced foot traffic in the zone, revegetation in impacted areas is slowly reemerging. As evidenced by the dazzling array of native species taking full advantage of their habitat, Myakka’s wildlife is much quicker to respond to the protection offered by the restoration zone. Their increased presence benefits the habitat’s stability and resilience, while delighting park visitors!

Friends of Myakka River exists to support Myakka River State Park and the Wild and Scenic Myakka River. Together, we're protecting and sharing Myakka's Magic, to the benefit of future generations, and our own. Follow us @FriendsofMyakkaRiver.