Bolter, Keren P.

Global climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities, thus requiring tailored adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida is uniquely vulnerable in terms of exposure to sea level rise due to low-lying porous limestone geology, high-valued coastal properties, treasured ecosystems, and dense populations at risk. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to rising water tables and extended periods of inundation amplified by SLR. Robust SLR adaptation options require significant economic costs that people may not be willing to pay for if they do not understand their real risk. If perceived risk does not adequately line up with actual risk, the necessary strategies may not be implemented.
<br>This study aims to compare perceived risk to actual risk to sea level rise in Broward County, FL. Perceived risk of residents, measured via an online survey, was layered over actual risk in terms of flooding, storm surge, and loss of property. Using GIS, a coastal vulnerability index was constructed for the actual risk, and principal component analysis identified the key factors influencing perceived risk. Results show where risk is underestimated, realistic, or overestimated, quantified both spatially and demographically. The concerns of residents are misaligned with the true vulnerability on many impacts, while others were very accurately understood. There are many opportunities for resilience that require preparation and adaptation. The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that it exists. Where should outreach be targeted for increasing awareness?

Global climate change stressors downscale to specific local vulnerabilities,
requiring customized adaptation strategies. Southeast Florida has a high likelihood of sealevel rise impact to due to the low-lying porous limestone geology. High risk is coupled with high exposure due to high-valued coastal properties, productive ecosystems, and dense populations. Coastal populations are particularly at risk due to erosion, inundation and storm surge, but interior populations are also susceptible to rising water tables and extended periods of inundation. All of these impacts are amplified by sea-level rise. Robust sea-level rise adaptation options require significant economic costs. If perceived risk does not adequately line up with actual risk, lack of funds and preparation will prevent implementation of the most effective strategies.

Little Lake Worth (LLW) (800 m x 200 m x 8« m) is an artificially deep, monomictic marine basin. Pigments and other water quality parameters (O2, pH, T, S, NO3 -. etc.) were utilized to characterize phototrophic communities and water quality. The water column is dominated by diatoms except in the hypolimnon during stratification events (late Summer) when strong anoxia and H2S favors abundant Chlorobium sulfur bacteria. Results indicate nitrate-enriched freshwater baseflow indicative of septic tank seepage during the wet season. This also appears to lead to the accumulation of concentrated organic matter in the sediment. LLW is a potential threat to the health of the ecosystem and the humans using it recreationally. More research is required to verify the effectiveness of restoration options. The spatial and temporal distribution of Chlorobium (phaeovibiroides tent.) and their Bacteriochlorophyll-e homologues is described and compared to similar studies.