Location: Southeast Watershed Research
Project Number: 6048-13000-028-082-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Aug 31, 2029
Objective:
Via cooperative research among Florida A&M University (FAMU) and USDA scientists, this project addresses emerging environmental concerns associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) in agricultural reservoirs of the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern United States. The project aims to enhance understanding of the relationships among microbial indicators, nutrient inputs, and environmental variables in pond ecosystems vulnerable to nutrient enrichment. The long-term goal is to develop a cost-effective, predictive model and early warning system for HAB events in support of water quality monitoring by producers on their own land.
Approach:
This project will integrate geospatial analysis, satellite remote sensing, field sampling of ponds, water quality analysis, and remote sensing to detect early signs of HAB development. Florida A&M University researchers and students will review existing literature on HABs, analyze multi-temporal geospatial data, compile covariate information, conduct field sampling, collect image data with unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and develop predictive models to assess and forecast HAB vulnerability across Coastal Plain agricultural reservoirs.