Repository logo
 

Effects of mountain pine beetle caused tree mortality on streamflow and streamflow generation mechanisms in Colorado

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMaggart, Ariann Lenore, author
dc.contributor.authorStednick, John D., advisor
dc.contributor.authorFassnacht, Steven, committee member
dc.contributor.authorRonayne, Michael, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T06:40:45Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T06:40:45Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractThe mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) (MPB), an endemic beetle in Colorado forests, saw dramatic population growth in the 1990's. As a result of this epidemic, the mountain pine beetle killed large tracts of forest as it spread. To evaluate the effects of MPB caused tree mortality on streamflow and streamflow generation mechanisms multiple investigative approaches were taken. In north-central Colorado, 21 watersheds representing minimally to highly affected watershed areas were chosen. Physical watershed characteristics were determined through a geographic information system. Long-term streamflow records for each watershed were assessed for data stationarity and change-points in peak flow, date of peak flow and annual water yield. Peak streamflow, date of peak streamflow and annual water yield all had stationarity. Since data were stationary, change-point analyses were not conducted. Streamflow, groundwater and precipitation samples were collected and analyzed for stable isotope concentrations. Isotopes of 2H and 18O partition source water contributions to streamflow from precipitation as snow or rain and groundwater (as a surrogate for groundwater). Annual δ2H and δ18O isotopic signatures for streamflow and streamflow source waters, as snow, groundwater and rain, were determined and used to partition source water contributions to streamflow for each watershed. In general, during the 2012 water year, source water contributions to streamflow were as follows: snow 60%, groundwater 20% and rain 20%. The correlations between snow, groundwater and rain contributions to streamflow and MPB killed area were not statistically significant at α ≤ 0.05 (psnow = 0.582, pgroundwater = 0.543 and p;rain = 0.897). While Colorado has suffered extensive forest kill since the onset of the MPB epidemic, the results of this study suggest that MPB killed watershed area has little to no effect on peak streamflow, date of peak streamflow, annual water yield or streamflow generation mechanisms.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierMaggart_colostate_0053N_12268.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/82564
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectColorado
dc.subjectstreamflow generation mechanisms
dc.subjectstreamflow
dc.subjectmountain pine beetle
dc.titleEffects of mountain pine beetle caused tree mortality on streamflow and streamflow generation mechanisms in Colorado
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEcosystem Science and Sustainability
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Maggart_colostate_0053N_12268.pdf
Size:
2.55 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download

Collections

2000-2019
Theses and Dissertations