Link to USGS home

USGS Western Region Geography

Western Region Map
 Our Science 

 Publications 

 Geography  

 Who We Are 

 In The News 

 Web Sites 

 Feedback  



Corner Image


Our Science

Tabs Health Hazarda Land Cover Change For Decisionmakers Environmental Issues Natural Hazards Application Tools

Our Science > Environmental Issues

Modeling Landscape Vulnerability to Water Erosion in Hawai'i


View of sediment being delivered to a reef owing to water erosion caused by rainstorms.
Remote sensing image showing sediment being deposited on a reef as a result of erosion caused by rainstorms.

An important issue in coral reef environments is the impact of pollution from the land, including the amount of sediment delivered to the reef as a result of erosion caused by rainstorms. This is a major concern because of the potential impact that land-use practices on an island may have on the amount of soil deposited onto the reef by water runoff. The work is funded by Geography's Land Remote Sensing Program and Geology's Coastal and Marine Geology Program, with collaboration from the Biological and Water Resources Disciplines in Hawai'i, as well as the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Hanalei Heritage River Hui in Hawai'i.


Point of Contact: Pat S. Chavez