Track: Environmental Management
GIS Time Series Analysis of the Loxahatchee Slough, Florida
Susan M. HohnerThe Loxahatchee Slough is the largest wilderness island refuge of relatively undisturbed wetland remaining in Palm Beach County. Aerial photography and satellite imagery from pre- and postchannelization dates are classified by vegetation communities. GIS analysis is used to compare these diverse data sets. Using vegetation communities as an indicator, results show a trend toward a drier hydroperiod. In 1979, the Army Corps of Engineers began raising water levels back toward prechannelization levels in a portion of the study area known as the Historic Region. Results indicate a positive response, with a net increase of longer hydroperiod vegetation in this region.
Susan M. Hohner
South Florida Water Management District
3301 Gun Club Road
PO Box 24680
West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680
USA
Telephone: (561) 687-6801
Fax: (561) 687-6442
E-mail: susan.hohner@sfwmd.gov