Tourism and Recreation Florida's coastline is the jewel of the state's number one industry – tourism. In 1999, tourism generated more than $46 billion for the state. The sandy beaches along the Gulf Coast, the colorful and diverse coral reefs off the Florida Keys, and the rich habitats of the Panhandle region all contribute to the state's attractiveness. Enormous investments in coastal tourism and supporting infrastructure, as well as the recreational and growing ecotourism industries, will have to contend with the challenges posed by a changing climate. Some of these impacts are:
Coral reefs—a key attraction—will experience increasing pressures from the combined impacts of recreational use, overfishing, coastal pollution, and warming coastal waters.
Loss of coastal wetlands could increase due to greater rates of sea-level rise in combination with a limited ability of wetlands to migrate inland due to development. This could reduce the habitats of waterfowl and other wildlife essential for hunting and recreational fishing.
Rising sea levels will increase coastal erosion, leading to beach loss where sediment supplies are low. Greater coastal erosion will also increase the risk of damages from hurricanes and other severe coastal storms. The maintenance of beaches through nourishment will likely become more expensive and frequent as faster sea-level rise speeds coastal erosion.
Loss of coastal wetlands could increase due to greater rates of sea-level rise in combination with a limited ability of wetlands to migrate inland due to development. This could reduce the habitats of waterfowl and other wildlife essential for hunting and recreational fishing.
