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Visualizing riparian ecotone fragmentation in urbanizing watersheds: A case study of upper Hickory Creek, north‐Central Texas
Author(s) -
Yesildirek Monica Veale,
Hudak Paul F.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
environmental quality management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.249
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6483
pISSN - 1088-1913
DOI - 10.1002/tqem.21728
Subject(s) - ecotone , riparian zone , watershed , surface runoff , land cover , fragmentation (computing) , environmental science , geography , hydrology (agriculture) , land use , ecology , habitat , geology , geotechnical engineering , biology , machine learning , computer science
Many pollution sources and heavy runoff often plague urbanizing watersheds. Riparian ecotones can filter pollutants and attenuate runoff; however, changing land cover tends to diminish this buffering capacity. Visualizing riparian ecotone fragmentation at the watershed scale can help prioritize management efforts. A geographic information systems approach was developed to illustrate land cover and soil properties affecting buffering potential along riparian corridors. An application to the Hickory Creek watershed in north‐central Texas shows significant riparian ecotone fragmentation, suggesting high‐priority areas for preservation and restoration.