GIS Modeling Linking Landscape Characteristics & Water Resource Data
The Biscayne Bay Watershed, a tropical ecosystem located along the southeastern Florida coastline, has experienced rapid growth in the past 20 years and water management operations necessary to support this increased population has affected water resources. Drainage canals, for example, have reduced flooding and provided transport for drainage waters and their associated pollutants from the watershed directly to the bay.
Biscayne Bay therefore functions as a sink for the byproducts of land uses within the watershed and this has affected the ecological health of an estuary that supports numerous species as well as fishing and recreational industries. A qualitative approach linking watershed development to historical water quality data is proposed to provide information on future water quality trends relative to land use. Results are expected to enhance management strategies for attaining realistic water quality goals considering land-use development.
Residential developments in south Florida.
Graduate student
- Richard Carey (PhD graduate student in the SNRE program at UF)