Nature-based Infrastructure for Enhancing Climate Resiliency of Groundwater Resources in South Florida: An Integrated Modeling Approach

This project is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 under the call “Addressing Climate Resiliency through Nature Based Infrastructure.” The project aims to evaluate and implement nature-based infrastructure features (NBIFs) that mitigate the effects of climate change on groundwater resources using an integrated modeling approach

The project focuses on addressing the challenges of sea-level rise, changing precipitation patterns, and rapid socioeconomic development, which pose threats to groundwater and community resilience in South Florida. By collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging the expertise of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and extension specialists, the project intends to assess the effectiveness of NBIFs in enhancing groundwater recharge and maintaining ecosystem functions.

The proposed integrated modeling approach involves the utilization of the USGS Biscayne and Southern Everglades Coastal Transport (BISECT) model, which couples surface water-groundwater density dependent flow, to simulate the water-ecology-human system in South Florida. Through this modeling framework, the project aims to quantify groundwater availability and usability, spring discharge, and submarine groundwater discharge under current and future climate scenarios and groundwater management strategies identified by SFWMD.