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Northwest Florida estuaries: an overview from urban growth models to water quality
Citation:
SCHAEFFER, B. A., R. N. CONMY, AND M. OSLAND. Northwest Florida estuaries: an overview from urban growth models to water quality. Presented at Mattie M. Kelley Environmental Symposium, Niceville, FL, April 27, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
Provide an overview discussion of environmental science regarding estuaries in the Florida panhandle
Description:
Estuarine and coastal regions in the Gulf of Mexico possess major ecological and economic resources that support a quality of life that makes this region a popular place to live and work. Florida’s largest economic driver is tourism and recreation, which is typically connected to coastal resources. Northwest Florida is comprised of the ‘forgotten’ and ‘emerald’ coasts which include five estuarine systems: Perdido, Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St Andrew and St Joe Bays. These estuaries represent a transitional gradient from river-dominated to seawater-dominated systems. The coastal waters in this region retain a score of ‘good-fair condition’ on the Gulf Coast Water Quality Index. Land use is dominated by forest and wetlands making the Land Development Index scores low. However, counties within these watersheds exhibit some of the highest rates of population growth in the state according to the 2010 US Census Bureau. Data from water quality sampling, urban growth predictions, and future climate and land use change scenarios will be integrated to discuss the sustainability of natural resources in this region.