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Farthing_Thesis_2021.pdf (2.21 MB)

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Impact of a Forested State Park on Nutrient Concentrations in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Southwest Ohio

Farthing, Tessa
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626999681372348

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Arts, Miami University, Geography.
Agricultural land cover in the U.S. Midwest is a major source of nutrient pollution that has led to severe degradation of stream water quality. Previous studies have shown that land cover, stream morphology, and hydrology can influence stream nutrient concentrations. This study examines the impact of a forested state park on nutrient concentrations within an agriculturally dominated watershed. Water samples were collected biweekly from eight stream sampling sites along four creeks and processed for total nitrogen (TN), nitrate (NO3-), phosphorus (TP), and orthophosphate (PO43-). Hydrology, channel morphology, and remotely sensed vegetation data were also collected and analyzed within the study area. An analysis of covariance test (ANCOVA) and a regression coefficient t-test indicated that the state park significantly reduced NO3-, PO43-, and TP concentrations. The park as a whole did not significantly reduce TN concentrations, however, within one of the four creeks, significant decreases in TN concentrations were detected. Discharge was a significant driving factor for changes in TN, NO3-, and TP concentrations within one study creek and change in PO43- concentrations within an additional study creek. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was a significant predictor of reductions in TN concentrations within one of four study creeks, and NDVI was globally correlated with reductions in NO3- concentrations. The results of the study suggest that conservation of forested areas within agriculturally dominated watersheds can provide meaningful water quality improvements in the U.S. Midwest.
Bartosz Grudzinski, PhD (Advisor)
Thomas Fisher, PhD (Committee Member)
Jessica McCarty, PhD (Committee Member)
Michael Vanni, PhD (Committee Member)
55 p.
Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Geography; Natural Resource Management; Water Resource Management
Hydrology, water quality, resource management, nutrient, agriculture, watershed, nonpoint source pollution, nitrogen, phosphorus, eutrophication

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Farthing, T. (2021). Impact of a Forested State Park on Nutrient Concentrations in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Southwest Ohio [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626999681372348

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Farthing, Tessa . Impact of a Forested State Park on Nutrient Concentrations in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Southwest Ohio. 2021. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626999681372348.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Farthing, Tessa . "Impact of a Forested State Park on Nutrient Concentrations in an Agriculturally Dominated Watershed in Southwest Ohio." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1626999681372348

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2021, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.