Southwest Florida Water Management District and Tampa Bay Water, two of the Region’s water resource leaders, requested VHB’s help to conduct a comprehensive study that evaluated the effects of groundwater withdrawals on regional wetland health in the Northern Tampa Bay Area. We developed a modified Wetland Health Assessment Protocol, created a custom-made mobile tablet application, and collected comprehensive data on land use, soils, hydrology, vegetation, and wetland health scoring for nearly 400 sites. An additional web-based GIS map of wetland scores through the years included links to historic data forms and photos, and statistical and mapping analysis tools allowed users to visualize yearly comparisons. A Story Map Journal, an innovative alternative to a traditional scientific report, presented the scientific findings using interactive links to maps, tables, figures, and appendices.
District Five Year Wetland Health Assessment Study
Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties, FL
Clients
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Southwest Florida Water Management District
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Tampa Bay Water
Services
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Environmental Services
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GIS/Geospatial Services
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Hydrology
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IT Consulting Services
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Wetlands Mitigation
