University of Florida's Marine Geomatics: Navigating the Depths of Ocean Mapping
In the sunshine state, the natural habitats along Florida's coast are facing significant threats, with more than half of the state's sandy shorelines critically eroded according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection [1]. This erosion, coupled with the vulnerability of coastal infrastructure and communities to extreme weather events [2], has sparked a critical need for geospatial and hydrospatial data spanning the land-water interface in Florida.
Scientists at the University of Florida's School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences are rising to meet this challenge. They specialise in marine spatial data needs and related applications, using geospatial technologies such as cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) for marine habitat mapping and environmental characterisation [3]. By combining knowledge from oceanography, marine ecology, geomorphology, and biology, they create accurate spatial representations of marine habitats, making it possible to analyse and manage geographic data relevant to Florida’s hydrography and marine geomatics needs effectively.
Courses like "Spatial Sciences for Marine Environmental Characterization" equip students with skills in analysing and managing spatial geographic data used in marine contexts, ensuring practical learning through lab and field work components [4]. This training supports research and practical applications addressing Florida’s coastal and marine resource management challenges.
The school's research and training activities also contribute to broader state efforts, such as the Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR), where spatial data integration, standardization, and quality assurance are key objectives [2]. SEACAR collates environmental data linked to spatial information, supporting meta-analyses of habitat status and trends essential for ecosystem-based management in Florida’s marine environments.
While specific projects directly by the school in hydrography were not detailed in the provided search results, their focus on spatial sciences and marine habitat mapping strongly indicates that they provide critical expertise and data management techniques vital for hydrography and marine geomatics applications in Florida. These capabilities enable stakeholders to address mapping, monitoring, and conservation needs throughout Florida’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
However, Florida's coastal waters face numerous challenges beyond erosion. Sea-level rise, more frequent heavy precipitation events, fishery declines, water pollution, and habitat loss all pose significant threats [5]. To address these issues, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published "Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation" in 2012 [6], and the Florida Ocean Alliance published "Securing Florida's Blue Economy: Strategic policy plan for Florida's oceans and coasts" in 2020 [7].
In light of these challenges, the practice of coastal adaptation to climate change has become increasingly important. The article "Practicing coastal adaptation to climate change: lessons from integrated coastal management" was published in Coastal Management in 2010 [8]. As Florida navigates these complex issues, the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences at the University of Florida continues to play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by Florida's residents and natural systems.
References:
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Why restore eroded beaches. Available at: https://floridadep.gov/rcp/beaches-funding-program/content/why-beach-restoration
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (2021). Statewide Ecosystem Assessment of Coastal and Aquatic Resources (SEACAR). Available at: https://floridadep.gov/seacar/
- University of Florida. (n.d.). Geomatics. Available at: https://uffgs.ufl.edu/geomatics/
- University of Florida. (n.d.). Spatial Sciences for Marine Environmental Characterization. Available at: https://uffgs.ufl.edu/geomatics/courses/geom4650/
- Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (2021). Florida's Coastal Waters. Available at: https://floridadep.gov/water/coastal/coastal-water/
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2012). Managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation. Available at: https://www.ipcc.ch/report/2012/05/managing-the-risks-of-extreme-events-and-disasters-to-advance-climate-change-adaptation/
- Florida Ocean Alliance. (2020). Securing Florida's Blue Economy: Strategic policy plan for Florida's oceans and coasts. Available at: https://floridaoceanalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Securing-Floridas-Blue-Economy-Strategic-Policy-Plan-for-Floridas-Oceans-and-Coasts.pdf
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2010). Practicing coastal adaptation to climate change: lessons from integrated coastal management. Available at: https://coast.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/library/publications/practicing-coastal-adaptation-to-climate-change-lessons-from-integrated-coastal-management-coastal-management-16-1.pdf
- The University of Florida's School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences specializes in marine spatial data needs and related applications, using geospatial technologies for ocean mapping and environmental characterization.
- By integrating knowledge from oceanography, marine ecology, geomorphology, and biology, the university produces accurate spatial representations of marine habitats, essential for geographic data management in Florida's hydrography and marine geomatics needs.
- The school's courses like "Spatial Sciences for Marine Environmental Characterization" equip students with skills in analysing and managing spatial geographic data in marine contexts, supporting research and practical applications addressing Florida’s coastal and marine resource management challenges.
- In addressing Florida's coastal adaptation to climate change, the school's focus on spatial sciences and marine habitat mapping provides critical expertise and data management techniques vital for hydrography and marine geomatics applications, enabling stakeholders to address mapping, monitoring, and conservation needs throughout Florida’s marine and coastal ecosystems.
