Abstract
Increased urbanization of coastal areas has resulted in the pollution and destruction of wetland ecosystems worldwide. The effect of development on local wetland habitat was examined for Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, USA. Changes in the areal extent of wetlands in Mount Pleasant were determined through a quantification of changes in wetland margins from the 1970s to 1990s using Landsat data. The rate of wetland habitat loss accelerated from the 1980s to 1990s compared to the 1970s, even though coastal zone regulations had been strengthened and the rate of population increase was comparable for the decades selected for comparison. This paper analyzes shifting environmental policy administration in combination with stakeholder interviews to characterize the efficacy of current policy decision-making and to offer recommendations for the restriction of further wetland loss.
Recommended Citation
All, John and Nelson, Jenna
(2008)
"Remote Sensing Quantification of Wetland Habitat Change in South Carolina: Implications for Coastal Resource Policy,"
The Geographical Bulletin: Vol. 49:
Iss.
2, Article 3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/thegeographicalbulletin/vol49/iss2/3