The coral reef ecosystems and water resources of the Caribbean are under threat and land-based sources of pollution represent one of the main sources of stress. Land uses associated to agriculture, cattle ranching, construction, and urbanization lead to increases in sediment, nutrient, and other pollutant loads to coastal environments. These studies intend to document the increases in pollutant load rates to the coastal waters of the Northeastern Caribbean, with a special focus on Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The results of these studies are used by NOAA and other agencies in the development and application of watershed restoration programs.
Selected publications:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.773968
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104957
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.720712/full
Aptitude towards quantitative analyses. Experience with Geographical Information Systems and/or remote sensing. Coursework in watershed analyses, hydrology, advanced environmental sciences.
Ongoing
Various from preparing land cover maps to the development and application of watershed models depending on project and student's ability.