The Environmental History of Human-Induced Impacts to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin in Southeastern Louisiana since European Settlement—1718 to 2002

摘要: Abstract The Lake Pontchartrain Basin in southeast Louisiana is a 9645 mi2 (24,980 km2) area composed of low-lying coastal forests hydrologically coupled with deltaic estuaries associated the Mississippi River and Gulf Mexico. two largest cities Louisiana, New Orleans Baton Rouge, are within basin. Since European settlement 1718, population increase, landscape modifications, accidental events, exploitation natural resources have had profound impact on landscape. A database several hundred environmental impacts from 1718 to 2002 was developed. Examples introduction invasive species, extirpation deforestation, dredging wetlands, land clearing, oil gas activities, development superfund (contamination) sites, water pollution. chronology evaluated four ways identify most significant ecologic impacts. Based analyses chronology, five periods anthro...