The National Ecological Observatory Network: Monitoring Changes in Stream Morphology and Biological Habitat in Two Tropical Watersheds of Puerto Rico
Abstract
A detailed understanding of the form and function of stream channels, and the biological habitats contained within them is critical in order to assess how both fluvial systems interact with surrounding landscapes and how they change with shifting hydrologic cycles over time. The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) collects high-resolution channel geometry data, measures streambed composition, and delineates biological habitats within monitoring reach boundaries (1 km) at two 2nd order streams in Puerto Rico.
Geomorphological monitoring will occur over a 30-year period, at approximately five year intervals per site, beginning in 2017. Additional surveys will be instituted following stochastic events, such as hurricanes and large floods, in order to assess event magnitude and quantify effects on fluvial morphology. Surveys were conducted prior to and following Hurricane Maria, which struck the island in September 2017. Stream morphology is an important component in understanding ecological processes and a critical metric for assessing biological and physical changes in streams over time. Data collected during NEON geomorphology surveys will help quantify the impacts of climate change on fluvial systems, aid in watershed management decisions, assess habitat conditions, and provide a foundation for hydrodynamic modeling efforts in critical eco-regions of Puerto Rico. Over the next 30 years, NEON aims to provide these data to the community in order to better understand the degree in which aquatic ecosystems are changing on the island.- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFMEP51E2164H
- Keywords:
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- 1824 Geomorphology: general;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1825 Geomorphology: fluvial;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1830 Groundwater/surface water interaction;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1856 River channels;
- HYDROLOGY