RESULTS

 Models using rainfall data and topographic information

simulated the natural expansion and contraction of wetland

area in southwest Florida and the effect of drainage on the

natural pattern. Field studies, supplemented by material

from previous investigations, provided basic data for

models of the effect of expansion and contraction of

wetland area on concentration and population size of

freshwater fish. Observations from an aerial survey of

Wood Storks and fish-eating wading birds developed

understanding of spatial and temporal patterns of foraging

in relation to the regional-scale dry-down.

 Information from this survey, demographic and

biological information on Wood Storks, and the results from

models relating expansion and contraction of wetland areas

to fish concentration were used to simulate the effect of

drainage in southwest Florida on breeding success and

population size of the Wood Stork. The following section

presents the results of these investigations.



 Rainfall Pattern



Moving Averages

 Figure 20 is a plot of moving 5-yr averages of total

annual rainfall at Corkscrew grove indicating a downward

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