Christy N. Wilmore and Ashanti J. Pyrtle. 2003. Southwest Florida Water Resources: An Overview

Man has had a major impact on the state of Florida's (USA) water resources. In the past, population growth, urbanization, industrial, and agricultural-related activities in the southwest Florida region have led to nutrient loading, resource depletion, increased pollution, and various other stresses to the local aquatic environment. It is expected that the activities that resulted in these stresses to the southwest Florida aquatic environment will continue in the future. Historical records and scientific investigations provide quantitative and qualitative information regarding the extent of man's impact to water resources in the southwest Florida region. Such information has often been utilized to assist in the development of regional management practices, conservation measures, usage restriction policies, monitoring programs, and restoration activities. As the need for more efficient management of water resources intensifies, it will become necessary to incorporate findings of additional scientific investigations into future policies and practices, in order to minimize resource depletion and protect water quality in the southwest Florida region.