A History of Environmental Degradation: A Complex Comparative Analysis of The Chesapeake Bay and Great Barrier Reef and The Effects of Climate Change
Open Access
Author:
Seidenberger, Sydney
Area of Honors:
Environmental Resource Management
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Jonathan M Duncan, Thesis Supervisor Robert David Shannon, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
The Chesapeake Bay The Great Barrier Reef Climate Change Environmental Degradation
Abstract:
The objective of this thesis is to compare and contrast watershed management practices between the United States (focusing on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed) and Australia (focusing on the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area). Current environmental issues imposed by anthropogenic and natural processes are analyzed over time and space. More extensive research was also conducted in order to comprehend the pollution of the Chesapeake Bay and the Great Barrier Reef, examining the history, the sources causing environmental degradation, and the effects of pollution due to the changes in land use.
The extent of climate change is altering best management practices (BMPs) and their effectiveness. Therefore, this research focuses on how climate change impacts water quality and the extent to which climate change impacts the amount of nutrients and sediment entering into receiving waters. The final analysis of climate change will focus on how climate change affects the results of the adaptive management in communities.
Economics, policy, and law play an important role in restoration efforts through adaptive management. The following thesis, therefore, compares and contrasts key components from the 2050 Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan and the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan between the Great Barrier reef and the Chesapeake Bay and their respective monitoring and evaluation.
The last chapter questions the effectiveness of watershed management practices throughout the Great Barrier Reef and the Chesapeake Bay. If substantial funding and efforts are taking place to enhance restoration, why are reduction targets and water quality goals continuously unmet? Although there are many scientific and technical shortcomings within restoration techniques, the last chapter primarily focuses on socio-political factors.
