Water2Coasts
NASA Science ·
Overview Water2Coasts is an interdisciplinary study examining how watersheds of varying size, land use, and climate regimes influence coastal water quality in eastern and southern Puerto Rico. The project combines hydrologic modeling, satellite observations, field monitoring, and socioeconomic analyses to understand the effects of watershed dynamics on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and local human communities. […] The post Water2Coasts appeared first on NASA Science .
Home Who We Are Who We Are Full Staff List (SG) Earth Science Project Office (ESPO) Airborne Science Office (ASP) What We Do Research Topics Stories Features Highlights Publications Science Nuggets Awards & Recognition Visiting Science Contact Us Water2Coasts Water2Coasts is an interdisciplinary island landscape to coastal ocean assessment with socioeconomic implications. The goal of Water2Coasts is to conduct a multi-scale, interdisciplinary (i.e., hydrologic, remote sensing, and social) study on how coastal waters of east, and south Puerto Rico are affected by watersheds of varying size, land use, and climate regimes, and how these may in turn induce a variety of still poorly understood effects on coastal and marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds.
TYPE Interdisciplinary (Ecology, Remote Sensing, Hydrology)
2023–2026
Juan L. Torres-Pérez
Island Shore
An image taken from an aircraft shows the gradient colors as the ocean nears the shore of one of many small islands off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. Credits: NASA/Milan Loiacono
Overview
Water2Coasts is an interdisciplinary study examining how watersheds of varying size, land use, and climate regimes influence coastal water quality in eastern and southern Puerto Rico. The project combines hydrologic modeling, satellite observations, field monitoring, and socioeconomic analyses to understand the effects of watershed dynamics on coral reefs, seagrass beds, and local human communities.
What is Water2Coasts?
The goal of Water2Coasts is to quantify and understand the links between land-based sources of pollution, watershed dynamics, and coastal ecosystem health in Puerto Rico. The project integrates multiple disciplines (including hydrology, remote sensing, marine ecology, and social science) to provide a comprehensive picture of how rivers and land use affect coastal water quality and ecosystem services. By combining field measurements, satellite-derived water quality data, and socioeconomic vulnerability profiles, Water2Coasts will support decision-making for environmental management and restoration. The team includes collaborators from NASA Ames, University of Puerto Rico – Mayagüez, University of Texas at Austin, Boston University, Environmental Mapping Consultants LLC, and Sociedad Ambiente Marino.
Water2Coasts Science Objectives
Water2Coasts aims to characterize how rivers and watersheds affect coastal water quality and ecosystems in Puerto Rico, particularly coral reefs and seagrass beds. The project will assess the spatio-temporal distribution of water quality parameters, including chlorophyll-a, dissolved organic matter, suspended sediments, and thermal and optical properties of river plumes. It will link these patterns to watershed characteristics such as land use, precipitation, and water infrastructure, as well as the socio-economic profile of communities living in each watershed. By integrating hydrologic modeling, satellite remote sensing, and field monitoring, the project seeks to identify sources of pollution, quantify their impacts on coastal waters, and explore the vulnerability of human communities dependent on these ecosystems. These insights will support both restoration efforts and long-term planning for resilient watersheds and coastal environments under changing climate conditions.
Together, these areas of research will answer:
What can Water2Coasts teach us about the connection between watersheds, water quality, and coastal ecosystems ?
By combining field data, satellites, and socio-economic information, Water2Coasts helps show how human activity on land affects coral reefs, seagrass beds, and the communities that rely on them, providing insights to protect both people and ecosystems.
Technical report of Water2Coasts through NASA DEVELOP
Water2Coasts Profile Project overview of Water2Coasts on NASA Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry
Water2Coasts Stories Article 7 Min Read What is a Coral Reef?
Image Article 1 Min Read The Caribbean Islands of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Article 4 Min Read Puerto Rico From Above
Image Article 1 Min Read Puerto Rico From the Space Station
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