Abstract

Mapping Riparian Corridors using Hydrologic Landscape Analysis
Track: Conservation
Authors: Tom Robinson

Common techniques to delineate riparian corridors for conservation include fixed-width buffers based on stream centerlines and digitization of woody vegetation from aerial photos. Although efficient, these methods do not accurately capture the extent of ecologically functional riparian corridors. A case study is presented that demonstrates the advantages of hydrologic landscape analysis—e.g., Elevation Above Channel, Topographic Wetness Index, and Flow Accumulation—to map riparian corridors.