The Effects of Watershed Land Use on Coastal Plain Resources

• Published in: Watershed protection techniques Vol. 4; no. 1; p. 13
• Main Author: Anon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ellicott City Center for Watershed Protection, Inc 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Coastal plains; Coastal zone management; Environmental impact; Land development; Land use; Marine; Water quality
• ISSN: 1073-9610

Forty-six research studies that evaluate the influence of land use change on the quality of aquatic resources in the coastal plain is described. The findings suggest that the impacts of land development, as measured by impervious cover or other measures of development intensity, in the coastal plain are similar to those in the Piedmont. Some data, however suggest that the location of development is perhaps more important in the coastal plain than in other locations, due to the role that intervening flat areas and wetlands play in mitigating the impacts of development. While fewer data sources were available documenting the impacts of non-urban land uses in the coastal plain, available data suggest that forest and wetland cover, particularly those adjacent to streams and rivers, play an important role in protecting coastal resources. Cropland, on the other hand, appeared to be negatively correlated with water quality and macroinvertebrate diversity. While the relationship between septic systems and water quality was less clear, data suggest that septic systems, especially those that are improperly design or sited, negatively affect water quality.