Water is vital to sustaining life on Earth. Water pollution is threatening the health of aquatic ecosystems and the quality of life for humankind. On-farm water usage is fundamental for the production of the world's food supply and maintaining a sustainable water supply is increasingly important due to the current population explosion. Water management practices must be developed and implemented to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution. ...More

Baldwin County has experienced the second highest rate of population growth since the year 2000. This case-study looks at land usage in Baldwin County to see if this has led to increased competition and/or conflict between the three main sectors of the economy vying for this fixed and finite resource. We attempt to answer the following researchable questions: Has Baldwin County experienced population growth in recent years, if so; are there land-use conflicts between the agricultural, commercial, and residential sectors? What are the bio-physical and socio-economic effects of these land-use conflicts? ...More

The city of Orange Beach is located on Alabama's southernmost tip, a city along the gulf coast that borders the Gulf of Mexico, a popular tourist destination during the summer months. Orange Beach is part of the Mobile Bay watershed and contained within it are many environmentally sensitive ecosystems. In recent years, increased levels of human growth have threatened this sensitive area and caused many environmental problems. ...More