Exploring a Sustainable Coexistence between Miami and the Everglades

EarthzineDEVELOP Summer 2014 VPS, DEVELOP Virtual Poster Session, Original

Project Team: Miami-Dade Ecological Forecasting Team
Team Location: University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

Land Cover Classification map derived from Terra ASTER image from March 7th, 2011. The area highlighted in this map is the boundary of the Western Greenway project, the fringe between Miami-Dade County and the Everglades. Image Credit: Miami-Dade Ecological Forecasting Team.

Land Cover Classification map derived from Terra ASTER image from March 7th, 2011. The area highlighted in this map is the boundary of the Western Greenway project, the fringe between Miami-Dade County and the Everglades. Image Credit: Miami-Dade Ecological Forecasting Team.

Authors:
Ning Chen, Project Lead (University of Georgia)
Mohamed Amin (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Lauren Anderson (University of Georgia)
Erick Braun (Georgia State University)
Tunan Hu (University of Georgia)
Linli Zhu (University of Georgia)

Mentors/Advisors:
Dr. Rosanna G. Rivero (College of Environment and Design, University of Georgia)
Dr. Sergio Bernardes (Department of Geography, University of Georgia)
Dr. Marguerite Madden (Department of Geography, University of Georgia)

Past/Other Contributors:
Ike Astuti (University of Georgia)
Becky Lynn (University of Georgia)
Caren Remillard (University of Georgia)
Dr. Francisco J. Escobedo (School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida)

Abstract:
Miami is a city of rapid and constant change, some of which is at the expense of its neighboring wetland area, the Everglades. As the largest subtropical ecosystem in the United States, theåÊEverglades are located along avian migratory routes and are home to many endemic plant and animal species. The protection and restoration of this region is critical, not only for ecological reasons, but also for the protection of water recharge resources for future urban water consumption by the 2.5 million residents of Miami-Dade County. The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (MDC-PROS) has embarked on an ambitious planning effort in partnership with The Trust for Public Land to develop a Western Greenway system of trails and recreational destinations along the county’s western edge. To assist with Greenway planning efforts, this project used NASA satellite imagery to derive a vegetation index and a land cover classification map which served not only as inputs for the Land-Use Conflict Identification Strategy (LUCIS) model, but also provided tree cover parameters which can help explore more specific design and greenway alignment. Additional land use information from a Miami-Dade County 2013 Land Use Management Application (LUMA) data set provided details for the model on current urban development. Conclusions drawn from the LUCIS model identified the most suitable land for recreation, conservation, and agritourism, with a particular focus on the southern segment, where the majority of agricultural land is located. This project contributed to decision support tools of MDC-PROS and The Trust for Public Land for planning green infrastructure corridors preserving the Everglades.

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