Analyzing Environmental Issues in the Lower Savannah Watershed, in Georgia and South Carolina (original) (raw)

Relationships Between Landscape Features and Nutrient Concentrations in an Agricultural Watershed in Southwestern Georgia: An Integrated Geographic Information Systems Approach

This study examined the influence of landscape features on stream nutrient concentrations within the Ichawaynochaway Creek watershed in southwestern Georgia. Baseflow concentrations of both dissolved (SRP, NO3, NH4) and total (TN, TP) nutrients were measured at 17 sampling sites monthly for a period of six months (July 2012 to January 2013). A long-term dataset (January 2008 to March 2012) was also analyzed for baseflow/stormflow comparisons of dissolved nutrient concentrations. Relationships among land-use, geology, soils, physiographic features and nutrients were analyzed at both the subwatershed and riparian corridor scales. SRP concentrations were lower and NO3 concentrations higher than reported in previous studies of the region. Due to dry conditions during the sampling period, nutrient input was likely limited to groundwater contributions and land-use effects were minimal. Trends among water quality variables varied between the upper and lower portions of the watershed, suggesting differences in nutrient transport pathways due to spatial variation.

Geospatial Assessment of the Impacts of Changing Agricultural Landscape in Louisiana

2020

Agricu lture is essential in the economy and environ ment of Louisiana. Ho wever in the last several years, notwithstanding these benefits, the study area of south Louisiana has been experiencing a changing agricultural landscape coupled with g rowing environ mental impacts on the surrounding estuaries and basins attributed to numerous factors. To assess these trends, the paper adopts a mix scale approach involving descriptive statistics, census data and geospatial technology of Geographic Informat ion Systems (GIS). While regional statistics showed recurrent changes in the area of farmland, cropland, and a host of other variables located within the agricultural landscape. The results of the environmental analysis point to intense use of agrochemicals and pesticides to boost productivity. Their impacts on the built environment and natural systems such as estuaries continue to amp lify with threats to water quality, and the surrounding ecology. Notwithstanding visible hurricane and c...

Estimating land use change and economic value of water quality in a north Georgia ecosystem

2007

IN A NORTH GEORGIA ECOSYSTEM by DANIEL GEORGE NGUGI (Under the Direction of Jeffrey Mullen) ABSTRACT This study seeks to forecast land use change in an ecosystem in the Upper Chattahoochee River Basin, model associated water quality changes and estimate the economic value of the same using Benefit Transfer. The basin is of significant source of water, recreational and other ecological amenities, but encroachment by urban development is a major threat to the ecosystem. Econometric, vector autoregressive and structural time series models are applied to land use data and the best forecasting model is selected. Land use change and resulting water quality changes are modeled under different scenarios and the public’s willingness to pay for improving and maintaining the quality of fishing and drinking water supply is estimated.