The South Carolina-Designated "Scenic" Catawba River: Using Satellite Data to Determine the Effects of Suburban Development on the River's Riparian Zones
Poster Number
052
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Faculty Mentor
Bryan McFadden, M.S.
Abstract
This project will use satellite datasets in order to display changes in vegetation health over the past 20-30 years in the area of the Catawba River designated as “scenic” by state legislation in 2008. As suburban development has increased in York and Lancaster counties, development adjacent to the Catawba River is becoming a cause for environmental concern because of clear-cutting, increased stormwater runoff, erosion, and overall increased recreational activity in and around the area. Riparian zones, which are considered to be the forested areas within 50 feet of the banks of fresh bodies of water, provide a number of ecological and environmental benefits, including wildlife habitat, erosion control, pollution filtration, and shade. The shade provided by trees growing along the riverbanks acts to decrease water temperatures—a plus for aquatic life, as this boosts dissolved oxygen levels in the water. The satellite data that are gathered, interpreted, and classified will, as a result of this project, aid in drawing conclusions about the current state of riparian zones “hugging” this section of the Catawba River. It is my hypothesis that the recent increase in suburban development along this portion of the South Carolina-designated “scenic” section of the Catawba River has not only served to reduce the scenic value of this area but has also negatively impacted the ecological integrity of a significant portion of the sensitive areas known as riparian zones.
Course Assignment
GEOG 320 – McFadden
Start Date
12-4-2019 2:15 PM
End Date
April 2019
The South Carolina-Designated "Scenic" Catawba River: Using Satellite Data to Determine the Effects of Suburban Development on the River's Riparian Zones
Richardson Ballroom – DiGiorgio Campus Center
This project will use satellite datasets in order to display changes in vegetation health over the past 20-30 years in the area of the Catawba River designated as “scenic” by state legislation in 2008. As suburban development has increased in York and Lancaster counties, development adjacent to the Catawba River is becoming a cause for environmental concern because of clear-cutting, increased stormwater runoff, erosion, and overall increased recreational activity in and around the area. Riparian zones, which are considered to be the forested areas within 50 feet of the banks of fresh bodies of water, provide a number of ecological and environmental benefits, including wildlife habitat, erosion control, pollution filtration, and shade. The shade provided by trees growing along the riverbanks acts to decrease water temperatures—a plus for aquatic life, as this boosts dissolved oxygen levels in the water. The satellite data that are gathered, interpreted, and classified will, as a result of this project, aid in drawing conclusions about the current state of riparian zones “hugging” this section of the Catawba River. It is my hypothesis that the recent increase in suburban development along this portion of the South Carolina-designated “scenic” section of the Catawba River has not only served to reduce the scenic value of this area but has also negatively impacted the ecological integrity of a significant portion of the sensitive areas known as riparian zones.
