Barrier islands along the Texas Coastal Zone are part of a complex and dynamic system represented by many distinct yet interrelated environments affected by a variety of resources, natural processes, climatic conditions, and human activities. Because of the increasing realization that island resources are extremely important both as natural systems and as valuable recreational areas, the necessity of understanding their complexities and how man and his activities interact with them becomes more and more urgent.

Land and water resources have been analyzed in the Corpus Christi area--Aransas, Nueces, Refugio, and San Patricio Counties along the central Texas coast. The city and port of Corpus Christi compose the largest metropolitan center in the area. This report analyzes the types, extent, and distribution of land and water resources in the Corpus Christi area.