| Summary |
This research examines the type and degree of development change occurring within five tidal creek watersheds in order to assess the extent to which development affects selected water quality indicators. The main purpose of this study is to characterize spatial and temporal patterns of water quality indicators and to determine their relationships with ongoing coastal development in New Hanover County, NC. To analyze patterns and relationships regarding coastal urbanization and tidal creek water quality, a variety of secondary data sources were acquired and subsequently processed to generate derivative variables using a geographic information system and related database management techniques. Exploratory data analyses of water quality and land use variables revealed significant relationships between the amount and type of development and selected water quality parameters. Nutrient levels measured within these tidal creeks were found to be significantly related to the amount of developed land occurring within these tidal creek watersheds. Biophysical parameters of each drainage basin were also included in order to determine their influence on the outcome of these analyses. Ordinal regression statistics showed the percentage of residential development to be a significant predictor of diminished water quality as higher levels of residential development increases the probability of having higher levels of nutrients. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geography. |
| General note | Advisor: Thomas W. Crawford |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 2005 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-89). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
