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Quantitative assessment of floodplain functionality in Colorado using an index of integrity

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dc.contributor.authorKarpack, Marissa Nicole, author
dc.contributor.authorMorrison, Ryan, advisor
dc.contributor.authorJulien, Pierre, committee member
dc.contributor.authorWohl, Ellen, committee member
dc.date.accessioned2019-09-10T14:35:45Z
dc.date.available2019-09-10T14:35:45Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractFloodplain integrity can be defined as the ability of a floodplain to support essential geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecological functions that maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services. Humans alter floodplain functionality by changing the physical landscape of the floodplain or by altering river flow regimes and subsequent floodplain inundation dynamics. This research evaluates floodplain integrity by assessing the prevalence of anthropogenic modifications to hydrology and landscape. Specifically, the objectives of this research are to: 1) develop a methodology to assess floodplain integrity using geospatial datasets available for large spatial scales; and 2) use the methodology to evaluate spatial patterns of floodplain integrity in the state of Colorado. To accomplish these objectives, I evaluated the critical floodplain functions of attenuating floods, storing groundwater, regulating sediment, providing habitat, and regulating organics and solutes. At present, this work is the first to quantify the integrity of specific floodplain functions instead of measuring floodplain health solely by ecological integrity. I applied the index of floodplain integrity methodology in the state of Colorado to analyze the integrity of each of the five floodplain functions and the aggregated overall integrity. In Colorado, overall floodplain integrity decreased as stream order increased above third order streams. Floodplain integrity was also lower in floodplains that intersected urban areas than those that did not, which indicates the index of floodplain integrity captured the adverse relationship between development and floodplain health established in literature. By quantifying anthropogenic reductions to floodplain functionality at broad spatial scales, the index of floodplain integrity can help target restoration efforts towards the most affected functions and areas.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierKarpack_colostate_0053N_15539.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/197316
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.subjectindex
dc.subjectfloodplain
dc.subjectintegrity
dc.titleQuantitative assessment of floodplain functionality in Colorado using an index of integrity
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.disciplineCivil and Environmental Engineering
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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