Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 5 (2011) 1624-1641 Using Geospatial Information Systems in Analyzing Urbanization Impacts on Stream Habitats in Southern Mississippi Coastal Ecosystem E. Merem 1 , S. Yerramilli 2 , C. Richardson 1 , J. Wesley 1 , T. Walker 3 , D. Foster 1 , J. Williams 1 , C. Romarno 1 and E. Nwagboso 4 1. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39211, USA 2. National Center for Biodefense Communications, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39204, USA 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39213, USA 4. Department of Political Science, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA Received: June 7, 2011 / Accepted: July 18, 2011 / Published: December 20, 2011. Abstract: The proliferation of urban development with concentration in population and human-environment interaction has intensified around urban environments. This has resulted in the degradation of urban environments, overuse of natural resources and widespread pollution of ecosystems. The patterns of design initiatives continue to follow unsustainable path with impacts on stream ecosystems. Accordingly, the paper adopts geospatial information systems and sustainability principles for the identification and sequential mapping of stressors impeding natural systems in Southern Mississippi. The results not only reveal that the study area experienced some significant changes in its watershed environments, but the stream habitat ecosystem remains under stress. The recommendations for mitigating the problems range from policy considerations to the adoption of ecosystem approach. Key words: Geospatial information systems, urbanization, ecological design, ecosystem approach, environmental degradation. 1. Introduction Increasing signs demonstrating clear threats to the sustainability of ecosystems supporting human societies gave rise to various theories of human-environment interactions upon which basic material conditions, such as population, development, urbanization and other elements all impact the environment [1]. Compounding these concerns, it is the pace at which widespread proliferation of urban development with subsequent concentration of population and the human-environment interaction has intensified around stream environments in the last several years especially around the southern Corresponding author: E. Merem, Ph.D., associate professor, research fields: climate change, GIS, natural resources management, environmental planning, land use, agriculture, remote sensing and watershed management. E-mail: edmund.c.merem@jsums.edu. Mississippi Region coastal counties [2]. Considering the scale at which growing population and the competition for limited land resources impede natural resource bases and habitats in estuarine environments of the area. The public attention has now been drawn to the un-sustainability of land use practices in coastal counties where numerous stressors unleashed from urbanization continue to ravage sensitive stream habitats [3]. Accordingly, the mounting pressure from population growth in urban areas which is occurring at an alarming proportion continues to put enormous strain on urban ecosystem and the surrounding stream habitat environments. This has resulted in the degradation of stream habitats in urban environments and over utilization of natural resources to meet the needs of built up areas. There is also widespread pollution D DAVID PUBLISHING