Figures and Geospatial Data Supporting “Connecting the Everglades from Marsh to Mangrove: A Conceptual Ecological Model for Lostmans Slough”

This repository contains scalable vector figures and supporting geospatial data associated with the manuscript “Connecting the Everglades from Marsh to Mangrove: A Conceptual Ecological Model for Lostmans Slough.” The manuscript develops a Lostmans Slough-specific conceptual ecological model linking regional water-management actions and environmental change to hydrologic and water-quality stressors, ecological responses, measurable indicators, and restoration tradeoffs across a connected freshwater-to-estuarine landscape.The repository includes:Figure 2, Lostmans Slough Conceptual Ecological Model, in Scalable Vector Graphics format. The diagram links external drivers and landscape-wide stressors to ecosystem stressors, ecological effects, and ecological attributes. The pathways represent hypothesized causal relationships involving altered hydrology, water quality, fire, coastal salinity, landscape connectivity, exotic biota, periphyton and marl processes, aquatic prey, vegetation, wading birds, estuarine fauna, and water-quality condition. Pathways express expected directions of influence rather than equivalent relationship strength or evidentiary confidence.Figure 6, Spatial Integration and Restoration Tradeoffs, in Scalable Vector Graphics format. The figure represents Lostmans Slough as a freshwater-to-estuarine corridor comprising an upstream freshwater inflow zone, a marl-prairie and ridge-and-slough interior, a mangrove-dominated coastal ecotone, and estuarine and nearshore receiving waters. The figure illustrates the propagation, transformation, and redistribution of water and transported materials; potential hydrologic benefits and ecological risks among zones; regional water-allocation tradeoffs involving adjacent flow paths; and modification of restoration outcomes by climatic and coastal conditions. The arrows represent conceptual pathways rather than quantified flows.A GeoPackage containing supporting geospatial data used to represent the Lostmans Slough study area and related spatial features. The generalized Lostmans Slough representation was delineated using observed elevation, hydrologic, and vegetation patterns. Users should consult the layer names and attribute fields within the GeoPackage for the contents and intended interpretation of individual spatial layers.The deposited files are provided to support transparent interpretation, reproduction, reuse, and adaptation of the manuscript figures and associated spatial representation. The conceptual pathways and spatial boundaries should not be interpreted as quantified flow estimates, regulatory boundaries, or definitive representations of causal strength. Direct observations across the complete Lostmans Slough freshwater-to-estuarine corridor remain limited, and portions of the conceptual framework represent working hypotheses intended to guide monitoring, testing, and adaptive management. Related manuscript: Julian, P., Kumar, L., and Stabenau, E.R. (Submitted) Connecting the Everglades from Marsh to Mangrove: A Conceptual Ecological Model for Lostmans Slough.