Analyzing Environmental Issues in the Lower Savannah Watershed, in Georgia and South Carolina
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: This research analyzes environmental change in the Lower Savannah watershed along the Georgia and South Carolina boundary based on mix scale method of descriptive statistics and GIS. Assessing the status of the Lower Savannah involved temporal spatial and environmental analysis, identification of the factors and restoration efforts. The results point to changes in the form of gains and declines in land use elements of farmland and others between 1992 through 2007. The GIS mapping shows a gradual dispersion of farm land and other elements coupled with a spreading of fertilizer use in the region. Accordingly, the study area experienced widespread pollution as shown with the vast presence of toxics in the watershed along with high pumpage of water and environmental declines triggered by many stressors including socio-economic elements. Notwithstanding ongoing initiatives among agencies to protect the watershed, the ability of GIS to track patterns of change in that setting reaffirmed its relevance as a decision support tool for managing stressed environments. To remedy the issues, the paper suggests the need for education and the design of a regional environmental information system.
Authors: E. C. Merem, J. Wesley, E. Nwagboso, S. Fageir, S. Nichols, Timothy S. Thomas, P. Isokpehi, M. Crisler, C. Romorno
Institution: Jackson State University
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W45161385