Mobile Bay Watershed Project

The Mobile Bay Water Shed is a significant natural, cultural, and economic resource of Alabama that covers approximately two-thirds of the state, as well as portions of Mississippi and Georgia (Figure 1). Heavy and varied use of this resource, as well as its vulnerability to natural disasters, has led to a wide variety of conflicts over issues such as land use, pollution, development, stormwater drainage, and hazardous waste disposal.

Figure 1. USGS (gulfsci.usgs.gov/mobile/index.html)

During the Spring 2009 and 2010 semesters, students in the Sociology of Natural Resources and the Environment (RSOC 5650/6650) developed research projects focused on two counties in the watershed—Mobile and Baldwin—and/or the bay itself. Each group of students explored the social causes, conflicts, and/or implications of a specific natural resource and/or environmental problem. The results of this work was presented during a public poster session at the end of the semester. The abstracts and posters can be found at these links -- 2009 and 2010. Students enrolled during the Spring 2011 semester focused on the oil spill. Information about their work can is available online.

Last Updated: Aug. 22, 2010