Geology topics

Research about south Florida

Source-linked reports with geographic coverage including south Florida.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2025

Coral restoration can drive rapid increases in reef accretion potential

Coral-reef degradation is disrupting the balance between reef accretion and erosion and threatening the persistence of essential coral-reef habitats. In south Florida, most reefs are already net eroding, and without intervention, valuable ecosystem services may be lost. Coral restoration holds the potential to reverse those trends; however, typical restoration monitoring does not adequately capture key geo-ecological functions. We addressed this knowledge gap using carbonate budgets and Structure-from-Motion models to evaluate the impact of coral restoration on reef-accretion potential and structural complexity at eight offshore and three inshore coral reefs in the Lower Florida Keys. Within 2–6 years following outplanting, restoration of rapidly growing A. cervicornis populations increased reef-accretion potential to 2.8 mm y − 1 and drove significant increases in structural complexity. There was no measurable impact of restoring slower-growing, massive corals on reef-accretion potential inshore; however, whereas the severe 2023 coral-bleaching event immediately following our study caused near-complete mortality of A. cervicornis , 59% of massive corals survived, highlighting potential trade-offs between coral growth and survival on future restoration efficacy. We conclude that although restoration can produce rapid, small-scale increases in reef-accretion potential, there remain important uncertainties about how and whether ecosystem-scale benefits of restoration on important geo-ecological reef functions can persist long term.

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USGS2025

An early detection rapid response case study of the Black and White Tegu (Salvator merianae) and implications for a broader framework

Documentation of successful early detection rapid response (EDRR) efforts is lacking from the scientific literature but is needed to inform invasive species response protocols. The Black and White tegu (Salvator merianae) has become established in several Florida counties and its spread is of significant conservation concern. It is of high priority for state and federal managers to prevent the spread into sensitive ecosystems, including the Greater Everglades. Thus, coordinated EDRR efforts are essential given limited infrastructure and funding for such tasks. While tegus have been observed along the eastern boundary of Everglades National Park, there has been no evidence tegus are established within Big Cypress National Preserve. On 8 August 2024 an individual tegu was sighted by a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologist in Big Cypress National Preserve who alerted National Park Service (NPS) staff and mobilized a response. Live traps were placed at the location of sighting within 24 hours and an individual tegu was captured on 13 August 2024. The individual tegu was determined to be the same individual that was observed five days early based on color, pattern, and other physical characteristics. No additional tegus were captured. The rapid, coordinated response of NPS and USGS likely contributed to this successful EDRR event, and highlights the need for more expansive EDRR frameworks at multiple jurisdictional scales.

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USGS2008

Population structure of red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in south Florida: RAPDs revisited

Six south Florida populations of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker ( Picoides borealis ) were sampled to examine genetic diversity and population structure in the southernmost portion of the species' range relative to 14 previously sampled populations from throughout the species range. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were used to evaluate the populations ( n = 161 individuals, 13 primers, one band/primer). Results suggested that south Florida populations have significant among-population genetic differentiation ( F ST = 0.17, P < 0.000), although gene flow may be adequate to offset drift ( N m = 1.26). Comparison of Florida populations with others sampled indicated differentiation was less in Florida ( F ST for all populations = 0.21). Cluster analyses of all 20 populations did not reflect complete geographical predictions, although clustering of distant populations resulted in a significant correlation between genetic distance and geographical distance. Overall, results suggest populations in south Florida, similar to the remainder of the species, have low genetic diversity and high population fragmentation. Exact clustering of distant populations supports the ability of RAPDs to differentiate populations accurately. Our results further support past management recommendations that translocations of birds among geographically proximate populations is preferable to movement of birds between distant populations.

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USGS2007

Examples of landfill-generated plumes in low-relief areas, southeast Florida

Areas of low topographic relief have low water-table gradients and make the direction of movement of contaminants from land fills in the ground water difficult to predict from regional gradients alone. The landfill, nearby free-flowing ditches or canals, variations in hydraulic conductivity, and the influence of nearby pumping wells can all affect the direction of flow. In low-gradient areas the concepts of “upgradient” and “downgradient” are less useful in planning the location of monitoring wells than in areas of higher relief. Low-relief areas also may be affected by the discharge of mineralized water from deeper aquifers, naturally or through irrigation, which can mask geochemical surveys intended to detect landfill leachate. Examples of effects of low topographic relief are noted in southeast Florida where water-table gradients are 7×10 − - 4 to 5×10 − - 4 feet per foot. Water-table mounding beneath the landfill and the drainage effects of nearby ditches and well have created multiple leachate plumes in Stuart where one plume migrated in a direction opposite to the apparent regional gradient. In Coral Springs analysis suggests a bifurcating plume migrating along two narrow zones. In Fort Pierce it was difficult to detect leachate because of mineralized irrigation water and fertilizer runoff from an adjacent citrus grove.

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USGS2000

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1999. Volume 2A: South Florida - surface water

Water resources data for 1999 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 354 streams, periodic discharge for 17 streams, continuous or daily stage for 121 streams, periodic stage for 1 stream, peak discharge for 38 streams, and peak stage for 38 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 21 lakes, periodic elevations for 42 lakes, continuous ground-water levels for 408 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1715 wells, quality of water data for 131 surface-water sites, and 198 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 45 streams, no peak stage discharge for streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake, continuous ground-water levels for 210 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 215 wells, water quality for 25 surface-water sites, and 117 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS2000

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1999. Volume 2B: South Florida - ground water

Water resources data for 1999 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 354 streams, periodic discharge for 17 streams, continuous or daily stage for 121 streams, periodic stage for 1 streams, peak discharge for 38 streams, and peak stage for 38 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 21 lakes, periodic elevations for 42 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 408 wells, periodic groundwater levels for 1715 wells; quality of water data for 131 surface-water sites and 198 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 45 streams, no peak stage discharge for streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 210 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 215 wells; quality-of-water for 25 surface-water sites and 117 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1999

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1998. Volume 2A: South Florida - surface water

Water resources data for 1998 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 307 streams, periodic discharge for 30 streams, continuous or daily stage for 89 streams, periodic stage for 4 streams, peak discharge for 38 streams, and peak stage for 38 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 51 lakes, periodic elevations for 51 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 439 wells, periodic groundwater levels for 1958 wells; quality of water data for 118 surface-water sites and 267 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 73 streams, continuous or daily stage for 45 streams, no peak stage discharge for streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 233 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 329 wells; quality-of-water for 37 surface-water sites and 155 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1997

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1996. Volume 2B: South Florida - ground water

Water resources data for 1996 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 319 streams, periodic discharge for 41 streams, continuous or daily stage for 97 streams, periodic stage for 8 streams, peak discharge for 35 streams, and peak stage for 12 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 30 lakes, periodic elevations for 56 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 417 wells, periodic groundwater levels for 1,370 wells; quality of water data for 113 surface-water sites and 279 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 73 streams, continuous or daily stage for 76 streams, peak stage discharge for no streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 222 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 772 wells and no miscellaneous water-level measurements; quality-of-water for 29 surface-water sites and 207 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1997

Review of selected features of the natural system model, and suggestions for applications in south Florida

A study was conducted to review selected features of the Natural System Model, version 4.3. The Natural System Model is a regional-scale model that uses recent climatic data and estimates of historic vegetation and topography to simulate pre-canal-drainage hydrologic response in south Florida. Equations used to represent the hydrologic system and the numerical solution of these equations in the model were documented and reviewed. Convergence testing was performed using 1965 input data, and selected other aspects of the model were evaluated. Some conclusions from the evaluation of the Natural System Model include the following observations. Simulations were generally insensitive to the temporal resolution used in the model. However, reduction of the computational cell size from 2-mile by 2-mile to 2/3-mile by 2/3-mile resulted in a decrease in spatial mean ponding depths for October of 0.35 foot for a 3-hour time step. Review of the computer code indicated that there is no limit on the amount of water that can be transferred from the river system to the overland flow system, on the amount of seepage from the river to the ground-water system, on evaporation from the river system, or on evapotranspiration from the overland-flow system. Oscillations of 0.2 foot or less in simulated river stage were identified and attributed to a volume limiting function which is applied in solution of the overland-flow equations. The computation of the resistance coefficient is not consistent with the computation of overland-flow velocity. Ground-water boundary conditions do not always ensure a no-flow condition at the boundary. These inconsistencies had varying degrees of effects on model simulations, and it is likely that simulations longer than 1 year are needed to fully identify effects. However, inconsistencies in model formulations should not be ignored, even if the effects of such errors on model results appear to be small or have not been clearly defined. The Natural System Model can be a very useful tool for estimating pre-drainage hydrologic response in south Florida. The model includes all of the important physical processes needed to simulate a water balance. With a few exceptions, these hydrologic processes are represented in a reasonable manner using empirical, semiempirical, and mechanistic relations. The data sets that have been assembled to represent physical features, and hydrologic and meteorological conditions are quite extensive in their scope. Some suggestions for model application were made. Simulation results from the Natural System Model need to be interpreted on a regional basis, rather than cell by cell. The available evidence suggests that simulated water levels should be interpreted with about a plus or minus 1 foot uncertainty. It is probably not appropriate to use the Natural System Model to estimate pre-drainage discharges (as opposed to hydroperiods and water levels) at a particular location or across a set of adjacent computational cells. All simulated results for computational cells within about 10 miles of the model boundaries have a higher degree of uncertainty than results for the interior of the model domain. It is most appropriate to interpret the Natural System Model simulation results in connection with other available information. Stronger linkages between hydrologic inputs to the Everglades and the ecological response of the system would enhance restoration efforts.

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USGS1996

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1995. Volume 2A: South Florida - surface water

Water resources data for 1995 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 314 streams, periodic discharge for 37 streams, continuous or daily stage for 55 streams, periodic stage for 12 streams, peak discharge for 12 streams, and peak stage for 12 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 30 lakes, periodic elevations for 73 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for430 wells, periodic ground-water levels for2,095 wells; quality of water data for 165 surface-water sites and 246 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 73 streams, continuous or daily stage for 76 streams, peak stage discharge for no streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 222 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 772 wells and no miscellaneous water-level measurements; quality-of-water for 29 surface-water sites and 207 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1995

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1994. Volume 2B: South Florida - ground water

Water resources data for 1994 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 320 streams, periodic discharge for 11 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 32 streams, continuous or daily stage for 120 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 11 sites, periodic stage for 0 streams, peak discharge for 19 streams, and peak stage for 19 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 74 lakes, periodic elevations for 74 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 442 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 716 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 1,208 wells; quality of water data for 121 surface-water sites and 319 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 74 streams, continuous or daily stage for 59 streams, peak stage discharge for no streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 224 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 437 wells and no miscellaneous water-level measurements; quality-of-water for 9 surface-water sites and 247 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1994

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1993. Volume 2A: South Florida - surface water

Water resources data for 1993 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 312 streams, periodic discharge for 9 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 107 streams, continuous or daily stage for 91 streams, periodic stage for 0 streams, peak discharge for 30 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 9 streams, and peak stage for 21 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 41 lakes, periodic elevations for 73 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 406 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 569 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 1,860 wells; quality of water data for 109 surface-water sites and 642 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 54 streams, peak stage discharge for 1 stream, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous ground-water levels for 203 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 299 wells and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 462 well; quality-of-water for 3 surface-water sites and 545 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1993

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1992. Volume 2A: South Florida surface water

Water resources data for 1992 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 327 streams, periodic discharge for 20 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 65 streams, continuous or daily stage for 137 streams, periodic stage for 23 streams, peak discharge for 23 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 5 streams, and peak stage for 21 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 63 lakes, periodic elevations for 67 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 430 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,074 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 1,501 wells; quality of water data for 140 surface-water sites and 683 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 61 streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 220 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 320 wells and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 329 wells; quality-of-water for 3 surface-water sites and 545 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1992

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1991. Volume 2A: South Florida surface water

Water resources data for the 1991 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 346 streams, periodic discharge for 27 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 50 streams, continuous or daily stage for 151 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 23 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 5 streams, and peak stage for 16 streams, continuous or daily elevations for 64 lakes, periodic elevations for 67 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 436 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1,229 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 1,628 wells; quality of water data for 139 surface-water sites and 761 wells. The data for South Florida included continuous or daily discharge for 75 streams, continuous or daily stage for 84 streams, continuous elevation for 1 lake; continuous groundwater levels for 184 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 873 wells and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 317 wells; quality-of-water for 15 surface-water sites and 541 wells. The data represent the National Water Data System records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1989

Water resources data, Florida, water year 1988. Volume 2B: South Florida - ground water

Water resources data for the 1988 water year in Florida consists of continuous or daily discharge for 338 streams, periodic discharge for 34 streams, miscellaneous discharge for 28 streams, continuous or daily stage for 152 streams, periodic stage for 29 streams, peak discharge for 71 streams, continuous daily tide stage for 8 streams, and peak stage for 84 streams; continuous or daily elevations for 73 lakes, periodic elevations for 72 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 490 wells, periodic ground-water levels for 1620 wells, and miscellaneous water level measurements for 2678 wells; quality of water data for 158 surface-water sites and 884 wells. The data for South Florida include continuous or daily discharge for 65 streams, periodic discharge for 2 streams, peak discharge for 4 streams, continuous or daily stage for 82 streams, periodic stage for 16 streams, peak discharge for 2 streams, and peak stage for 12 streams; continuous elevations for 1 lake, and periodic elevations for 5 lakes; continuous ground-water levels for 179 wells, period ground-water levels for 298 wells, and miscellaneous water-level measurements for 250 wells; quality-of-water for 6 surface-water sites and 558 wells. This data represent the National Water Data System ·records collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and cooperation local, state and federal agencies in Florida.

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USGS1978

Uranium-isotope variations in groundwaters of the Floridan aquifer and Boulder Zone of south Florida

Water samples from four wells from the main Floridan aquifer (300-400 m below mean sea level) in southeast Florida exhibit 234 U 233 U activity ratios that are significantly lower than the secular equilibrium value of 1.00. Such anomalous values have been observed previously only in waters from sedimentary aquifers in the near-surface oxidizing environments. These four wells differ from six others, all producing from the same general horizon, in being located in cavernous highly transmissive zones. We hypothesize that the low activity ratios are indicative of a relic circulation pattern whereby water from the surface aquifer was channelled to lower levels when sea level was much lower. At a deeper cavernous level, known as the Boulder Zone (800-1,000 m below mean sea level), the U isotopes, along with other chemical constituents, show progressive changes with increasing distance from an inferred flow source in the Straits of Florida. This tends to support the hypothesized landward flow (though with a more northerly component) of cold seawater in the extensively transmissive Boulder Zone.

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USGS1969

Florida submergence curve revised: Its relation to coastal sedimentation rates

New data substantiate as well as modify the south Florida submergence curve, which indicates that eustatic sea level has risen continuously, although at a generally decreasing rate, during the last 6500 to 7000 sidereal years (5500 standard radiocarbon years) to reach its present position. Accumulation rates of coastal deposits are similar to the rate of sea-level rise, thus supporting the generalization that submergence rates largely determine as well as limit rates of coastal sedimentation in lagoonal and estuarine areas.

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