Draft 1, Deforestation of Four Mile Creek

This topic submitted by Chelsea Nagy, Mica Scott, David Smith, and Alison Stanton ( stantoam@muohio.edu ) on 2/13/03. [ Rivers Team: Chelsea Nagy, Mica Scott, David Smith, and Alison Stanton-Section: Cummins/Kaufman]

Deforestation on Four Mile Creek
By: Chelsea Nagy, Mica Scott, David Smith, and Alison Stanton

I. Introduction

We hypothesize that Four Mile Creek has been deforested as a result of human intervention, specifically agricultural usage, which has led to increased erosion and other detrimental effects. We plan on comparing the 4MC watershed with general global deforestation studies that have happened along rivers. We plan to accomplish a historical look at this geographical area's level of forestation to determine how human actions have increased or decreased the number of trees along the 4MC banks. Further, we plan on measuring nutrient levels in sediments as they are related to agricultural usage of land and erosion. In addition we plan on studying the economic reasons for our presumed deforestation including timber sales and use of land after forest clearings. This is integrally connected with the Rivers course because it studies human effects on river systems and watersheds as a whole.

II. Relevance of Our Research Question

A) Literature review
i. Library references: Many other individuals and organizations have addressed similar topics concerning deforestation. So far, we have found the following relevant sources.

Pacheco, F.A.L. and Sousa Oliveira, A. and Van der Weijden, A.J. and Van der Weijden, C.H. "Weathering Biomass Production on Ground Water Chemistry in an Area of Dominant Anthropogenic influence, the Chaves-Vila Pouca de Aguiar region, North of Portugal." Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 115.1 (1999): 481-512.

This article talks about how stream health and the interactions between biomass and the water mineral uptake and. They used a geochemical mole balance algorithm to calculate stream health in addition to an algorithm that measures mole/charge balances in weathering reactions and biological processes.

Szilagyi, Jozsef and Parlange Marc B. "A Geomorphology-based Semi-distributed watershed model." Advances in Water Resources 23.2 (1999): 177-187.

This article discusses the model they developed to map out non-linear catchment areas in stream networks. Its discussion on stream runoff is relevant to deforestation.

Headman,Craig and David van Lear. "Vegetative structure and composition of southern Appalachian Riparian Forests." Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 122.2 (1995): 134-144.

This article talks about riparian forests through progressions of time and how it relates to the dynamics of riparian zones. Because the riparian zone is such a critical component to the watershed and its surrounding forests we have included this article.

Roulet, M et. al. "Effects of Recent Human Colonization on the Presence of Mercury in Amazonian eco-system." Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 112.3 (1999): 297-313.

They conclude that deforestation increases the mercury level in runoff and that it may explain the increase of mercury in aquatic ecosystems in newly colonized watersheds.

Gentry, A.H. et. al. "Deforestation and Increased Flooding of the Upper Amazon." Science 210.4476 (1980): 1354-1356.

This article discusses the changes in the Amazon chemical balance of the water in relation to deforestation effects. We're using this article because these results can be compared to 4MC.

Sparovek, Gerd et. al. "A Conceptual Framework for the Definition of the Optimal Width of Riparian Forests." Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 90.2 (2002): 169-175.

This article discusses the effects on riparian ecosystems due to the expansion of agricultural areas. We've included this article because it shows the effects of agricultural expansion on forests in riparian zones.

Goebel, P. Charles and David M. Hix. "Development of Mixed Oak Forests in Southeastern Ohio: A Comparison of Second-Growth and Old-Growth Forests." Forest Ecology and Management 84.1 (1996): 1-21.

This article discusses the history of clear-cutting in SE Ohio and the regrowth of forests. This article is relevant to our study because it shows the differences between old-growth and new-growth forests due to human interactions.

Petts, G.E. amd C. Amoros (ed.) Fluvial Hydrosystems. Chapman and Hall: NY, 1996.

This book talks about how to look at river systems from a holistic approach. It is relevant to our project because it talks about human impacts on fluvial hydrosystems and how that impacts animals and includes ways of managing water systems.

Wunder, Sven. The Economics of Deforestation. St. Martin's Press: NY, 2000.

This book discusses the history of the economics behind deforestation actions and also the short and long term economic effects of deforestation. It is relevant to our project because it offers information on the motivations behind human behavior and the lack of foresight they have.

Tucker, Richard P. and J.F. Richards. (ed.) Ohio: Microcosm of Agricultural Clearing in the Midwest. Global Deforestation and the Nineteenth-Century World Economy. Duke Press Policy Studies: NC, 1983.

The historical ideas behind deforestation are discussed in this book. The background philosophies and historical information of why we have our current landscape makes this book significant to our study.

Arnell, Nigel. Global Warming, River Flows, and Water Resources. John Wiley & Sons: NY, 1996.

This book is based on the agricultural effects on water resources and future outcomes that current environmental trends will have on river ecosystems. This is highly relevant to our study of 4MC because it takes into account future ramifications of current actions.

Coon, William F. "Estimation of Roughness Coefficients for Natural Stream Channels with Vegetated Banks." US Geological Survey, 1998.

For streams with vegetation on their banks this paper discusses the change in roughness of streams factored in by flow depth, energy gradient, size of bed material, and vegetation. It also talks about the loss of energy during large floods. This is relevant to our project because it shows how channelization of streams have effected sediment characteristics.

Soussan, J. and B.K. Sharestha and L.P. Uprety. The Social Dynamics of Deforestation: A Case Study from Nepal. The Parthenon Publishing Group: NY, 1995.

The relationships between the ecosystem, people, and the government, specifically in Nepal, are covered in this book. Policies guiding actions on the forest are included. It's relevant because it looks at peoples connection and interaction from a political rather than ecological point. We will use it as a starting place to determine what the social dynamics are in this particular area.

Petts, Geoffrey and Peter Calow. River Flows and Channel Forms. Blackwell Science: MA, 1996.

This article talks about vegetation cover as a control for storm run-off and river modeling systems for river management. This is relevant to our project because it discusses the importance of vegetation cover on the banks in order to try to control rivers.

ii. Websites

"The Ecology of the Tri-State Vicinity." Tri-State Environmental Resource Center. 12 February 2003. http://www.terconline.org/pages/content/local_ecology.html

The effects on ecological habitats by human settlements in the tri-state area are covered in this article.

Cut and Run. 11 September 2001. Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition. 11 February 2003. http://www.ohvec.org/old_site/forests02.htm

The history of clear-cutting in West Virginia's old-growth forest including the damages it causes, such as flooding. This relates to rivers because of the wide negative ramifications of clear-cutting.

Global Forest Watch. 23 July 2002. World Resources Institute. 12 February 2003. http://www.wri.org/gfw

This site is useful because it has data mapping and digital technology to monitor forests.

Earth Observatory. Ed. Urquhart, Gerald and Walter Chomentowski, David Skole, and Chris Barber. "Tropical Deforestation." NASA. 13 February 2003. http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Deforestation/

This is a basic introduction to deforestation and covers it on a global scale.

Revington, John. "The Causes of Deforestation." New Renaissance 3.2 (1992). 13 February 2003. http://www.ru.org/32defore.html

A brief overview of societal reasons for deforestation.

United States Geological Survey. http://www.usgs.gov

This organization does a lot of mapping including historical accounts including stream flow data. It will probably contribute a topographical map to our project.

Deforestation. 1 February 2001. UWC Enviro Facts. 13 February 2003. http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/Envfacts/facts/deforestation.htm

A brief overview of deforestation.

B) Our research relates to the larger picture of human and environmental interactions and the lack of concern or thought given to the effects of human actions on the global environment.

III. Interdisciplinary Approach

To be an interdisciplinary project we will study scientific, societal, and cultural aspects of this question. Specifically, we will be looking at scientific studies such as sediment load and nutrient content, flood histories, and the effect on animal habitats. Has 4MC been eutriphicated? We will be studying the historical context of the 4MC watershed and also examine peoples relation to the land and the reasons for their actions, especially in economic terms. What societal organizations, whether businesses or citizens groups or private land owners, have influenced the amount of forests along 4MC? We will also examine what were peoples views towards 4MC throughout history as expressed in literature of their day. In this way we will combine sociology, economics, literature, history, chemistry, and ecology.

IV. Specific Research Design

Our experiments consist of measuring sediments in 4MC. We plan on taking water samples from 4MC to test for sediment load and nutrient content. We will be mindful of where along the length of the river the sample is taken, how close to shore the sample is taken, when it was taken in relation to the latest precipitation event, and what depth it was taken at.

Every half-mile will be a sample zone. There will be 5 samples taken from each zone. The first sample from the top of the east shore of the river and the second sample from the top of the west shore. The third sample will be from the top of the middle of the river, while the fourth will be taken from the benthic depth of the middle of the river. The fifth and final sample from each sample zone will be taken from the medium depth in the middle of the river. We will collect data on two different days at the same time to ensure accurate results. The specific tests we will run include turpidity, sediment volume, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

We will get a topographical map of 4MC to use when analysizing results of our tests in order to get a comprehensive view of how the sample data relates to where it was taken and how sediments progress downstream. We are also hoping to gather historical data on the level of forestation of the 4MC watershed.

Social and cultural dimensions will come from literature studies. The historical, especially the societal aspects of it will be heavily highlighted including economical effects. Governmental policies governing the 4MC area will be included. The cultural dimensions will come from fiction of the time.

V. Materials and Methods

Materials will include a tape measure, test tubes, testing materials, topographical map, and computer to statistical tests. The tape measure will be used to determine the length and depth of the shore. Sterile test tubes will be used to collect sample to take them back to the lab to analyze them with the testing materials and finally with Statview.

Our team will work collaboratively on all three major components. While we will start by finding out our own journal articles and literature and will test different sections of the creek, we will all analyze and take part in each step of the process. Specifically, we will gather samples on the same day though in different sample zones and run the tests together. All group members will be present for all analyzation and writing tasks.

Timeline

- Societal Research/Context (February)
- Cultural Research/Contect (March)
- Sampling, Testing, analzing (April)

We have decided on this timeline because of the time of year and related weather considerations. Spring is the worst time for erosion and flooding, hence it is a time to see maximum impacts. In addition to that, the societal and cultural contexts have led to the current scientific conditions and nicely build upon each other.

VI. Results

Our results won't just be statistical results and comparisons, but also tables of data and diagrams of where samples were taken. In addition, images will be used to illustrate our observations and the current conditions of the creek and riparian zone. We will include a data sheet when we have data.

VII. Discussion and Conclusion

Included in the discussion will be information about how general global deforestation relates to 4MC. As with any project we will include areas for further study dependent on what we discover. Integration of the different disciplines we have utilized will be very apparent in this section to give a wholistic, interdisciplinary understanding of the deforestation occurring along 4MC.

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