USGS Florida Science Highlights - 2009

Hydrology, Water Quality, and Aquatic Communities of Selected Springs in the St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida

Hydrologic, physicochemical, and aquatic community data were collected and compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey for selected springs within the St. Johns River Water Management District from January 2004 to October 2007. Nine springs were included in this study: Alexander, Apopka, Bugg, De Leon, Gemini, Green, Rock, Silver Glen, and Wekiwa. Urban lands increased in Alexander, Apopka, De Leon, Gemini, Green, and Wekiwa springsheds between 1973 and 2004, accompanied by a loss of forested and/or agricultural lands in most springsheds. Learn more

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Sea-Level Rise, Coastal Vulnerability, Key Issues for Climate Change in Southeast US

A report prepared by the US Global Change Research Program, "Southeast Regional Highlights from the Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States" included research conducted by the USGS Coastal Change Hazards Team (Abby Sallenger and team-St. Petersburg). USGS work is discussed in the context of sea-level rise and increased vulnerability of coastal communities as being among the most serious consequences of climate change for the region. USGS images and calculated land loss after Hurricane Katrina in the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana are used to illustrate potential impacts for other coastal communities throughout the southeast. Southeast Fact Sheet U.S. Global Change Research Program, Southeast Chapter

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Keeping an Eye on Climate Change - Florida Site Established for Tracking Seasonal Effects of Climate Change on Native Species

Phenology is the study of the seasonal cycles of plant and animals, such as plants sprouting, flowering and fruiting, and animals reproducing, migrating and hibernating. Changes in these patterns, caused by climate change or other factors, can significantly affect human economies and health. In some areas, such changes have already imperiled species, such as in the disappearance of some wildflowers from near Walden Pond, home of the famed 19th-century naturalist Henry David Thoreau. News Release USGS Newsroom USGS Podcast

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USGS Science Used to Address Water Quality Impacts in Wakulla Springs Basin

Like many springs throughout the state, nitrate concentrations in Wakulla Springs have been increasing since the late 1970's and are currently above proposed regulatory levels that are anticipated to be adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. A recently completed cooperative study between the USGS and the City of Tallahassee showed that nitrate in the City's treated wastewater effluent applied at the Southeast Farm sprayfield is a component of the nitrate discharged at Wakulla Springs. Find out more

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Pesticides Found in Central Florida Lakes

Pesticide-related compounds and elevated levels of nitrate have been found in lakes in central Florida’s Lake Wales Ridge region. The compounds found include currently used pesticides, according to the recently published U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report. The concentrations of some of these compounds were among the highest in surface-water samples when compared to a previous study of agricultural areas around the nation. USGS News Release

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Tallahassee Crews Track Suwannee River Flood Crest

North Florida rivers began to swell in April from the runoff of heavy storms in Georgia, culminating in a record gage height on the Withlacoochee River and a record volume of water discharging down the Alapaha River. As the flood waters of these Suwannee River tributaries flowed into the main channel of the Suwannee, the dry floodplain absorbed much of the excess water, and flood crest levels gradually attenuated. At Ellaville, just below where the Withlacoochee comes into the Suwannee, the peak flow was the 4th highest on record. Downstream in Branford, it was the 7th highest on record.

Tallahassee crews measured the volume of water and height of the river at the flood's peak or near-peak levels, providing critical daily updates to the National Weather Service, Southeast Region River Forecast Center, and Suwannee River Water Management District. USGS News Release

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Understanding freshwater wetlands plays a pivotal role in managing Florida's water resources

A new USGS Professional Paper on freshwater wetlands in central Florida assesses their role in the ecological landscape of Florida. Collectively, these depressional wetland features occupy an area more than half the size of the Everglades providing critical habitat, recharging aquifers, and serving as headwaters for numerous streams. This report describes and compares the ecology, water quality, and hydrogeologic setting of these characteristic features of central Florida. The integrated approach compares environmental conditions of natural wetlands to those impacted by human activity. New methods describing wetland flooding, interactions between wetlands and groundwater, and their influence on the overall ecosystem can be applied to future studies.

This research was cooperatively funded by Pinellas County, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Tampa Bay Water. Find out more

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International Cooperation on Management of the Songbird Trade in Mexico

In 2006, the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to help develop better methods for determining species-specific quotas for the trapping of songbirds in Mexico. Fred Johnson (U.S. Geological Survey, Gainesville) and Scott Boomer (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management) recently developed a method for determining sustainable levels of songbird take in Mexico based on limited demographic information. The Trilateral Committee will be meeting on May 11-15, 2009 in Miami, Florida. Find out more

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Florida Natural History Lecture Series

The U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY and the SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK in Live Oak have teamed up to bring the latest scientific news on Florida Wildlife and our unique natural environment directly to the public. Once a month a noted research scientist will present a one-hour illustrated talk on topics ranging from jumping sturgeons to deep-reef fishes. Talks will be interactive - any and all questions are welcome. Increase your understanding of the natural world of Florida, and learn what you can do to help preserve it.

The FLORIDA NATURAL HISTORY LECTURE SERIES was kicked off in October 2008 and will continue through 2009. This month's lecture will feature Dr. Bob Bonde of the U.S. Geological Survey. His talk is entitled: "The Future of the Florida Manatee - Mermaids in Peril". See accompanying flyer.

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USGS Gulf Coast Science Conference and Florida Integrated Science Center Meeting: Proceedings with Abstracts, October 20-23, 2008, Orlando, Florida

Lavoie, D.L., Rosen, B.H., Sumner, D.M., Haag, K.H., Tihansky, A.B., Boynton, Betsy, and Koenig, R.R., (eds.), 2008, USGS Gulf Coast Science Conference and Florida Integrated Science Center Meeting: Proceedings with Abstracts, October 20-23, 2008, Orlando, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1329, 157 p. Find out more

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Florida Sand Removal Impact Assessment Database

The MMS has identified an immediate need to compile a synopsis of available literature on existing environmental conditions in Federal waters along the Florida coastline. The USGS comprehensive literature database provides information on the existing physical, biological, and socioeconomic conditions of the Florida marine environment, including potential dredging and sand placement sites, as well as any potential effects the proposed dredging and placement activities might have on these environments. Access the Database

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Dr. Ken Dodd, A retired USGS employee (retired in 2007) was awarded the annual Conservation Award at the Annual Meeting of the Desert Tortoise Council for his contributions to the conservation of the desert tortoise, Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, and Bolson tortoise. Dr. Dodd is currently a volunteer with the Florida Integrated Science Center's Amphibian Research and monitoring Initiative (ARMI). Dr. Dodd serves as a courtesy faculty member in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the Univ. of Florida. Congratulations to Ken on receiving this much warranted recognition, and for all that he does for conservation of our precious natural resources.

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Workshop for Recreational Boaters

Sponsored by the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Observing System and SeaGrant.

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Observing System (GCOOS) is offering a free workshop February 4-5 at the USGS-St. Petersburg to provide a forum for the recreational boating community to learn about integrated ocean observing, observational data and other products designed to meet the needs of recreational boaters. Learn how to find data about ocean temperature, wave heights, satellite observations and more.

Workshop sessions will cover topics such as: search and rescue, fishing, diving, and offshore cruising. Pre-registration is required. For more information: GCOOS

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Healthy Springs, Healthy Manatees

Using endangered species as models of survival may require quite a stretch of the imagination, but that's exactly how USGS biologists view certain populations of manatees. North Florida is dotted with warm artesian springs that attract manatees seeking refuge from winter's cooler temperatures. USGS scientists monitor manatee populations at some of these springs, in order to obtain annual estimates of survival and reproduction. Similar estimates obtained in other regions of the state indicate that manatees that overwinter at springs may fare better than those that winter in regions without springs.

At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, USGS scientists and their partners have conducted manatee health assessments for the past 3 years, and plan to conduct assessments at other sites in the future. Links to hydrology, such as continuous, adequate flow of spring waters is of paramount importance to manatees, and water quality is also of concern.

Ultimately, scientists hope to be able to provide information on how to keep springs healthy for manatee survival. Manatee Captures and Health Assessment Handout