Modeling Landscape Vulnerability to Water Erosion in Hawai'i

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.