Hali-'FACTS': Canal Monitoring surrounding Bethune-Cookman University
Presentation Type
Short presentation 10-15 minutes
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Faculty/Staff Department
Biology and Chemistry
Student Year and Major
Junior and Sophomore of Nursing
Presentation Description/Abstract
Urban stormwater systems are an important interfaces utilized to manage various watersheds. Residential runoff is collected in areas like canals before feeding into larger water reservoirs. Canal systems that carry flood water drainage are dynamic environments that warrant frequent monitoring to determine their status and function in watershed function. This project provides important information about dynamics in the Halifax canal system near Daytona Beach, FL. While the water quality of these waterways has been surveyed for many years prior, we contribute more detailed information about the biotic diversity. This information will help to inform management strategies by providing understanding of the macro and micro communities in the canal system. Changes in abiotic parameters and nutrient landscapes ultimately structure microbial populations in these canals that form the base of the food web for higher trophic organisms. The project is beneficial to the Daytona Beach community, as well as a variety of conservation specialists working in the Indian River Lagoon. How these communities interact ultimately contribute to the overall health of the watershed. It is important to monitor these systems in order to assess the efficiency of existing management strategies (e.g. watergoat and artificial wetlands).
Keywords
Halifax River, water quality, storm water, environmental surveys, long-term monitoring, microbial community, microbial diversity, metagenomics, seasonal shifts, watershed management.
Hali-'FACTS': Canal Monitoring surrounding Bethune-Cookman University
Urban stormwater systems are an important interfaces utilized to manage various watersheds. Residential runoff is collected in areas like canals before feeding into larger water reservoirs. Canal systems that carry flood water drainage are dynamic environments that warrant frequent monitoring to determine their status and function in watershed function. This project provides important information about dynamics in the Halifax canal system near Daytona Beach, FL. While the water quality of these waterways has been surveyed for many years prior, we contribute more detailed information about the biotic diversity. This information will help to inform management strategies by providing understanding of the macro and micro communities in the canal system. Changes in abiotic parameters and nutrient landscapes ultimately structure microbial populations in these canals that form the base of the food web for higher trophic organisms. The project is beneficial to the Daytona Beach community, as well as a variety of conservation specialists working in the Indian River Lagoon. How these communities interact ultimately contribute to the overall health of the watershed. It is important to monitor these systems in order to assess the efficiency of existing management strategies (e.g. watergoat and artificial wetlands).