Human-Climate-Water Interactions in the Context of Managing Florida’s Water Supplies

Abstract

Population growth and modification of land use and land cover have put tremendous pressure on Florida’s water resources. Consequently, insuring that the right amount and quality of water is available at the right time for both human and ecosystem needs is a difficult task for water managers in Florida. Climate change is expected to further stress Florida’s water supplies as hydrologic systems adjust to changing patterns of precipitation and evapotranspiration and rising sea level. Because Earth’s human, climate, and water systems are intricately linked through complex interactions, effective management of the state’s water resources in the face of climate change will require comprehensive strategies that consider the combined effects of climate and human activities on water resources.