Galveston Island - a changing environment.

Date

1980

Authors

Benton, A.R., Jr.
Clark, C.A.
Snell, W.W.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas A&M University .

Abstract

The final report of a one year remote sensing study of baseline conditions at Galveston Island, Texas is presented. The purpose of the project was to provide the City of Galveston with environmental documentation needed to guide the future development of the island. Commercial developers have been building on the marshes and dunes of the southwest half of the island. Strong opposition has been developing from environmentalists and from fishermen who view the prospect of continued construction as destructive to that environmentally sensitive area. It was found that two distinct barrier regimes are now being threatened by natural forces and by currently unrestricted human activities. The wetlands system, which includes all of the areas bayward of the dune crest, is being both diminished and stressed by overgrazing and by construction. The beach areas, running from dune top to the shoreline, are under the combined attack of coastal erosion, vehicular traffic and beachfront construction.

Description

53 p.

Keywords

coastal zone, barrier islands, wetlands, environmental impact, construction, dunes, erosion

Citation