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The Atlantic coastal zone of subtropical southeast Florida supports nearly 7 million inhabitants. Since the mid‐19th century urbanization intensified along the shore and spread westward into freshwater marshlands. Population densities approaching 2500 persons per km -2 and dredge and fill operations to create urban land in western marshes has degraded coastal environments bringing environmental sustainability into question. Efforts to maintain environmental integrity initially focused on shore protection via ‘hard’ engineering works, which later included massive beach renourishment projects along developed coasts subject to critical erosion. Marine algal blooms, degraded coastal water quality and the deterioration of coral reefs indicate environmental problems more serious than beach erosion. Recognition of a potential eco‐catastrophe prompted the Everglades Restoration Project, the largest single environmental recovery effort in the world. The cleanup of terrestrial systems is essential to sustainability of marine ecosystems now jeopardized by nutrient loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]