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Observations of Riparian Tree Geometry and Bank Characteristics along a Bank Stability Gradient at the South River, VA
Author(s) -
Stotts S.,
O'Neal M. A.,
Pizzuto J. E.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
river research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.679
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1535-1467
pISSN - 1535-1459
DOI - 10.1002/rra.2764
Subject(s) - riparian zone , bank , bank erosion , undercut , tree (set theory) , environmental science , stream power , hydrology (agriculture) , riparian forest , geology , stability (learning theory) , erosion , mathematics , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , ecology , computer science , engineering , structural engineering , mathematical analysis , machine learning , habitat , biology
In this study, we evaluate the use of riparian tree‐geometry and bank‐characteristic data in developing riverbank stability forecasts at four study sites along a mercury‐contaminated reach of the South River, Virginia. Our forecast data set includes measurements of tree diameter, lean angle and percent root‐plate undercut, coupled with bank characteristics included in the Pfankuch Index. Stepwise comparisons and statistical analyses of our tree‐geometry data reveal that lean angle and percent root‐plate undercut are effective measures for discriminating between riparian tree populations at eroding and stable banks, with the strongest discriminant power from the percent root‐plate undercut. Our stability forecasts, using both tree and bank characteristics, agree with long‐term observations, underscoring the value of rarely used tree‐geometry data in such evaluations. The application of these results is important in long study reaches where forecasts of erosion potential from contaminated banks are required to develop mitigation strategies, but direct measurements of bank stability are not feasible. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.