Date of Award

4-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Studio Art

First Advisor

Joe Weber

Second Advisor

Peter Cotroneo

Third Advisor

Michael Wartgrow

Abstract

This project investigates the ecological degradation of the Indian River Lagoon, a vital estuary on central Florida’s east coast. The research focuses on the intersection of habitat loss and water quality degradation, specifically as they relate to anthropogenic factors such as land development and nutrient pollution. Furthermore, the study evaluates the effectiveness of environmental art in fostering environmentally conscious behavior. I translated these findings into a cohesive body of work, including ceramics, fiber arts, and oil painting, utilizing site-specific materials sourced from the lagoon. By integrating these organic elements, the work aims to showcase the estuary’s natural beauty while highlighting its inherent fragility, ultimately encouraging a deeper sense of environmental stewardship.

Research Highlights

  • The Problem: Anthropogenic factors, specifically rapid land development and nutrient pollution, are driving the ecological degradation of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Brevard County, Florida, resulting in the loss of vital habitats like seagrasses, oyster reefs, and mangroves. 

  • The Method: This study utilizes a mixed-methods research design grounded in a systems-based framework to analyze quantitative environmental data and qualitative restoration literature, while evaluating the effectiveness of environmental art in fostering stewardship. 

  • Quantitative Finding: The population of Brevard County grew 7,048.8% between 1920 and 2020, reaching 606,612 residents; phytoplankton blooms have decimated seagrass populations by over 50% since 2011; urbanized areas of the IRL lost 84% of seagrass meadows during the 2011-2012 algal superbloom; global shellfish reefs have declined 85% over the past century; Florida has approximately 1 million registered boaters annually; and mangrove coverage in the southern United States expanded by 13.5% between 1980 and 2020. 

  • Qualitative Finding: Human development is the primary driver of water quality degradation and habitat loss in the lagoon; environmental art serves as a catalyst for science communication by creating emotional conduits such as compassion and place-attachment; aesthetic experiences can shift consumption patterns and promote environmental stewardship; and site-specific materials like Australian pine needles and oyster shells can be translated into visual narratives that highlight ecological fragility.

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