University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

EDIS Update

New and revised publications from the University of Florida Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

    How Are the Reservoirs in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin Managed? (AE497)

    May 8th, 2013
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Water

    Figure 3. A view of the Apalachicola River from Fort Gadsden, FL, on the river’s east bank. Many uses of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river basin depend on how the US Army Corp of Engineers operates dam releases from the reservoirs when managing lake levels and downstream river flows and water levels. However, no single set of protocols equally suited to all uses and demands governs the reservoir releases. The purpose of this publication is to describe how the USACE manages reservoirs and dams in the ACF and how the waters in the basin are used. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Christopher J. Martinez, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, March 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae497

    A Multi-Disciplinary Review of Current Sea-Level Change Research in Florida (TP193/SG125)

    March 1st, 2013
    Topic(s):Water

    wordleSea-level rise is an issue of paramount importance for the state of Florida due to its lengthy coastline, low relief, high coastal population density, ecologically and economically vital beaches, estuaries, and wetlands, and porous limestone geology. The rate of sea-level rise in Florida generally follows the global average (~3 mm per year) and is slowly gaining public attention as a significant threat to the natural and socioeconomic future of the state. This 18-page multi-disciplinary review provides an annotated bibliographic summary of current peer-reviewed literature regarding sea-level rise in Florida. Written by Anna Cathey Linhoss, Lisa Gardner Chambers, Kevin Wozniak, and Tom Ankersen, and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, February 2013.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg125

    Guidelines and Management Practices for Artificial Reef Siting, Use, Construction, and Anchoring in Southeast Florida (TP176/SG101)

    September 28th, 2012
    Topic(s):Water

    cover photograph scuba diver swims near reefCoral reefs are one of southeast Florida’s most highly valued ocean resources. Despite their economic and ecological importance, they continue to face damage and destruction from human activity. “Artificial reefs” can help restore damaged coral reefs or mitigate their loss. Hundreds these natural and man-made structures have been deployed in southeast Florida coastal waters over the last 30 years. However, construction practices, design features and use patterns associated with this reef-building all have the potential to affect coral ecosystems. This 162-page guide describes artificial reef science and technology as a means of helping practitioners with varied backgrounds, skills and experience achieve responsible and sustainable reef development. Written by William Lindberg and William Seaman, and published by the UF Florida Sea Grant Program, June 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg101

    Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations for Sugarcane Production on Florida Organic Soils (SSAGR348/SC091)

    August 24th, 2012
    Topic(s):Agriculture, Crops, Environment, Water

    Much of the sugarcane grown in South Florida is on organic soils in the Everglades Agricultural Area, which is a phosphorus-limited system. Phosphorus loads in drainage water in the Everglades Agricultural Area are an environmental concern so it is important for sugarcane growers to use best management practices such as soil testing and to follow fertilizer recommendations. This document contains updated UF/IFAS phosphorus fertilizer recommendations for Florida organic soils. This 7-page fact sheet was written by J. Mabry McCray, Ronald W. Rice, and Alan L. Wright, and published by the UF Department of Agronomy, July 2012. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sc091

    Watersheds of Florida: Understanding a Watershed Approach to Water Management (SL367/SS568)

    August 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Water

    Figure 1. Graphical illustration of a watershed.Water is of primary importance to all life on earth. Freshwater is a finite resource, and managing freshwater requires an understanding of watersheds and a watershed approach. Both quantity and quality of water are important for balanced beneficial and efficient agricultural, industrial, rural, and urban uses. This 7-page fact sheet provides information on watersheds and introduces the watershed approach and management concept as practiced in the U.S., with a focus on Florida watersheds in particular. This document also provides information on the basins, basin groups, and hydrologic units of Florida used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to implement watershed assessment, monitoring, and restoration programs. Written by Rao Mylavarapu, Kelley Hines, Thomas Obreza, and Greg Means, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, July 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss568

    Well Installation Procedures for Agricultural Irrigation in Miami-Dade County (AE489)

    August 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Agriculture, Water

    Figure 1. Screenshot from the SFWMD website for ePermitting of the online application for Water Use Permits.Water wells or groundwater wells are the main source of irrigation water for agriculture in Miami-Dade County. Depending on the purpose and characteristics of the well, different permits are required for installing the well and pumping water from the well. The information provided in this 4-page fact sheet is based on current rules, contacts, and prices as of March 2012 for Miami-Dade County. Written by Kati W. Migliaccio, E. Vanessa Campoverde, and Ann Marie Superchi, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae489

    Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Variable-Rate Irrigation (AE490)

    August 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops, Water

    Figure 1. Example of management zones in an irrigated field having substantial variability in soil properties and planted areas. Colored zones indicate areas where irrigation is reduced or eliminated.Most fields are not uniform because of natural variations in soil type or topography. When water is applied uniformly to a field, some areas of the field may be overwatered while other areas may remain too dry. Variable-rate irrigation technology gives farmers an automated method to vary rates of irrigation water based on the individual management zones within a field and avoid irrigating roadways, waterways, wetlands, and other non-farmed areas within a pivot. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Calvin Perry, Clyde Fraisse, and Daniel Dourte, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, July 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae490

    Small-Scale Natural Wastewater Treatment Systems: Principles and Regulatory Framework (SL365/SS566)

    June 6th, 2012
    Topic(s):Community Development, Water

    Figure 1. Schematic of constructed wetland at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.Natural systems use the natural processes of wetland ecosystems to both transform and hold on to many of the common pollutants that occur in household wastewater. This 8-page fact sheet briefly describes the principles and added benefits of natural systems. It then focuses on their use for treating small municipal wastewater flows from commercial and residential sites (i.e., septic systems or decentralized wastewater systems). Written by Kiara Winans, Shanin Speas-Frost, Mike Jerauld, Mark Clark, and Gurpal Toor, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, May 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss566

    Conservation Subdivision: Construction Phase: Low Impact Development (LID) and Stormwater Treatment (WEC319/UW364)

    April 9th, 2012
    Topic(s):Community Development, House & Home, Water

    Figure 2. A bioretention area at SW Recreation Center, University of FloridaBecause so much area in subdivisions is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, buildings, and driveways, stormwater runoff must be accounted for and treated to prevent flooding and to remove contaminates. Often, stormwater runoff impacts surrounding landscapes and water bodies due to nutrient loading. In this 7-page fact sheet, we discuss the importance of using a more distributed stormwater treatment system that treats runoff closer to the source. Often called Low Impact Development (LID), this stormwater management approach is being used to more effectively remove pollutants from runoff. Written by Daniel Penniman, Mark Hostetler, and Glenn Acomb, and published by the UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, March 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw364

    Hydration in Hot Working Environments (FCS80018/FY1325)

    April 2nd, 2012
    Topic(s):Health & Nutrition, Lawn & Garden, Small Farms, Water, Workplace

    Figure 1.Are you at risk for heat-related illnesses? Summertime isn’t the only time you should be concerned about drinking enough water to stay hydrated. Workers in construction, landscaping, laundry, factory, farm, or restaurant settings, among others, often are faced with hot working environments year-round. These conditions can increase the risk for developing heat-related illnesses, so staying well hydrated is very important. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Jeanine Beatty and Gail P. A. Kauwell, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, March 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1325

    Public Opinion about Water Availability (FE845)

    March 13th, 2012
    Topic(s):Water

    Photo of a dripping faucet, to emphesize the amount of water that can be wasted by a leak. Photo: Thomas WrightThis 8-page fact sheet summarizes results of a public survey about Florida water resources. The respondents were asked about the quantity of water in their area, water availability in ten years, the likelihood of prolonged drought, and the effect of climate change on rainfall. Written by Tatiana Borisova and Damian Adams, and published by the UF Department of Food and Resource Economics, March 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe845

    What is a Water Footprint?: An Overview and Applications in Agriculture (AE484)

    March 1st, 2012
    Topic(s):Crops, Water

    Figure 1. Green, blue, and grey water flows in an agricultural system.Agriculture is by far the largest global consumer of freshwater. Comparing water footprints of different management practices in agriculture can help evaluate drought tolerance, water use efficiency, the effective use of rainfall, and the significance of irrigation. Scientists are thinking about ways to adapt agricultural systems to a changing climate, especially precipitation changes, so the water footprint is a useful measure to compare resilience of agricultural systems to droughts and dry spells. This 11-page fact sheet was written by Daniel R. Dourte and Clyde W. Fraisse, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2012.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae484

    Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (SGEF178/SG111)

    February 29th, 2012
    Topic(s):Ecosystems & Species, Water

    Page 1 of PDFCoastal and marine spatial planning can assist Florida’s residents and visitors with balancing the many uses and activities associated with our coastal and ocean resources. One example at work in Florida is the Regional Waterway Management System in southwest Florida, an objective approach to waterway planning and permitting based on mapped channel depths. Marine spatial planning has also successfully allowed shipping lanes near Boston Harbor to be reconfigured to reduce collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales, which migrate northward to feed from their calving grounds off the Florida and Georgia coasts. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Robert A. Swett , and published by the UF Department of Sea Grant, July 2010.
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/sg111

    Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems: Trace Organic Chemicals (SL352/SS554)

    December 7th, 2011
    Topic(s):Health & Nutrition, House & Home, Water

    water dropletTrace organic chemicals are potentially harmful to human and ecosystem health. They frequently occur in wastewater from septic systems and can be found in concentrations orders of magnitude higher than typical concentrations reported in centralized treatment plant wastewater. This 7-page fact sheet identifies common trace organic chemicals of concern in wastewater and their sources, and summarizes current research on the fate and transport of these chemicals in septic systems. Written by Gurpal S. Toor, Mary Lusk, and Tom Obreza, and published by the UF Department of Soil and Water Science, November 2011. (photo CC BY-SA 3.0 Mila)
    http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss554

Next Page »

Links
  • EDIS Website - EDIS is the Electronic Data Information Source of UF/IFAS Extension, a collection of information on topics relevant to you.
Topics
Archives
Meta