Abstract
Rapid River Classification Using GIS-Delineated Functional Process Zones
Track: Environmental Management
Author
Traditional classification of rivers does not take into consideration how rivers function within the ecosystem. Using factors, such as hydrology and geomorphology, that directly affect ecosystem structure and function provides a means of classifying river systems into hydrogeomorphically-distinct river segments, or functional process zones, with unique community structure and ecosystem functions. In support of this river classification approach, we developed a GIS-based methodology that provides a consistent and efficient way to extract the necessary hydrogeomorphic variables from readily available data sources across different scales and river systems. The extracted variables were analyzed statistically to identify functional process zones within a river system with similar geological histories, hydrology, and sediment regimes. Identification of these functional process zones provides a means for rapid river classification and improved reference site selection, condition assessment, and ecosystem services evaluations.
Ellen Damico
Dynamac Corp c/o US EPA
26 West Martin Luther King Dr.
Mail code: DYN5
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
United States
Phone: 513-569-7167
E-mail: damico.ellen@epa.gov
Bradley Williams
University of Kansas
Kansas Biological Survey
2101 Constant Ave
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
United States
Phone: 501-605-7383
E-mail: BW0051@ku.edu
Jude Kastens
University of Kansas
Kansas Biological Survey
2101 Constant Ave
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
United States
Phone: 785-864-1519
E-mail: jkastens@ku.edu
Joseph Flotemersch
US EPA NERL
26 W. Martin Luther King Dr.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
United States
Phone: 513-569-7086
E-mail: flotemersch.joseph@epa.gov
James Thorp
University of Kansas
Kansas Biological Survey
2101 Constant Ave
Lawrence, Kansas 66047
United States
Phone: 785-864-1532
E-mail: thorp@ku.edu