   | |||||
  • Climate in the Gulf • The Report • For Teachers  • Overview • Slow the Change • Speed our Response  • Overview • Water Resources • Sea-Level Change • Human Perspectives |
|
Florida
Florida is currently facing a growing demand for freshwater resources. Freshwater is needed for urban residential and industrial uses, irrigation, the prevention of saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, and the maintenance of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Demand for fresh water will rise as Florida's population increases. Competing demands on limited water resources due to growth alone will increase freshwater management challenges with or without climate change. Climate change could complicate this situation, since any change in rainfall, evaporation, groundwater recharge rates, and runoff patterns would affect ecosystems and all users of fresh water. For example:
More on Florida: Introduction | Climate Projections | Freshwater Resources | Agriculture | Forestry | Coastal Development | Tourism & Recreation | Human Health | Fisheries | Unique Habitats | FL Resources & Links Photo Credits: Panther - South Florida Water Management District. Water control structure - South Florida Water Management District. Sabal Palm - U. S. Geological Survey. |
|
 • Overview • Alabama • Florida • Louisiana • Mississippi • Texas  • Overview • Apalachicola Bay • Big Thicket • Everglades • Laguna Madre • Mississippi Delta | |
A trend of more extreme rainfall events has already been detected. Extreme runoff from these events can produce overload on the sewage systems with resulting septic contamination of surface and coastal waters.
Where saltwater intrudes into coastal groundwater sources due to sea-level rise, freshwater resources could be further affected. Where saltwater intrudes into freshwater marshes, vegetation with low salt tolerance—such as the Sabal Palm—would be decimated.
