The human population growth projected for Florida and elsewhere is likely to result in increased land use change and development, potentially leading to negative impacts on both the availability of important resources such as water and on the ability of remnant natural areas to function and provide ecosystem services. Basil Iannone's research and extension programs utilize geospatial tools, as well as other analytical and interdisciplinary approaches, to address this complex issue.

The goal of his programs is to devise and promote real-world strategies to: (1) mitigate the negative environmental impacts of current and future land development and (2) design, construct, and manage urban and residential landscapes to support greater levels of biodiversity and ecological functionality.