The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study: Spatial and Temporal Variation in Water Quality at Thompson Bayou

Abstract

Much of our understanding of factors influencing stream chemistry comes from studies of montane forests, whereas far less work has focused on streams of coastal areas that integrate a homogeneous, flat topography and interactions with the bodies of water into which they drain, especially involving tidal fluxes. Fewer still do so in the context of an urban interface, especially that of a college campus. This study assessed the water quality of Thompson Bayou, a freshwater stream entering the University of West Florida campus in a wetland after flowing through the urban property with impacted water quality. We measured temperature, pH, dissolved O2 (DO), and specific conductivity (SC) for one year at eight sites along Thompson Bayou from campus to the Escambia River. All variables, except temperature, varied spatially, with consistent increases in DO and SC toward the river of 10% and 75%, respectively. Variables exhibited temporal patterns of significant seasonal variation, especially temperature, increasing from a January minimum of 14 °C to a summer maximum of 28 °C. These results suggest that, in general, the biogeochemistry of coastal streams such as Thompson Bayou can be influenced by numerous factors, including (1) wetland processes, (2) interactions of the stream channel with forested uplands, and (3) tidal fluxes.

Chronic Exclusion of Fire in Longleaf Pine Stands of an Urban Interface: The University of West Florida Campus Ecosystem Study

“…Thus, the UWF Campus Ecosystem Study (CES) was established as an interconnected series of research projects. To date, there have been five investigations, with four as part of the original focus on the ecology of longleaf pine [19][20][21][22] and one study [23] that monitored the freshwater stream that flows through the campus and joins the Escambia River (Figure 1). ] and one study [23] that monitored the freshwater stream that flows through the campus and joins the Escambia River (Figure 1).…”

“…To date, there have been five investigations, with four as part of the original focus on the ecology of longleaf pine [19][20][21][22] and one study [23] that monitored the freshwater stream that flows through the campus and joins the Escambia River (Figure 1). ] and one study [23] that monitored the freshwater stream that flows through the campus and joins the Escambia River (Figure 1). The main campus is composed of all roads, parking lots, and permanent structures; university property extends beyond this to wooded areas.…”