Urban Rivers As Social-Ecological Systems: An Examination of History & Ecology In the Miami River

Authors

Daniela B. Daniele, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Elizabeth Anderson

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Leonard Scinto

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Gail Hollander

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

AJ Reisinger

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

urban rivers, social ecology, ecological river connectivity, social connectivity, environmental history, urban ecology, river debris, water quality, long-term trend analysis

Date of Defense

11-9-2021

Abstract

Rivers have played significant roles in development of cities worldwide. Increasing urbanization has diminished the quality of lotic resources and altered the way in which humans interact with rivers by converting free flowing rivers into heavily altered systems. The Miami River in South Florida, USA, provides a model case for examining urban rivers as social-ecological systems. Research on urban rivers in general and the Miami River is limited. To date, how the urbanization of Miami and surrounding areas may have disrupted social-ecological riverine connectivity has not been studied. To fill this gap, I compiled an environmental history of the river to examine how connectivity and quality of the river changed. This research integrated long-term water quality data, interviews, observational, and archival data. Data show an improvement in water quality in the early to mid-2000s, likely linked to emerging policies and restrictions. This research will add to growing knowledge of urban rivers as social-ecological systems.

Identifier

FIDC010478

Recommended Citation

Daniele, Daniela B., "Urban Rivers As Social-Ecological Systems: An Examination of History & Ecology In the Miami River" (2021). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4882.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4882