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Effects of Mowing Regimes on the Plants, Pollinators, and Roughness of the Channelized Hocking River’s Riparian Zone, Athens, Ohio

Facun, Jasmine B.
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3101-0944
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597248243432497

Abstract Details

2020, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Environmental Studies (Voinovich).
This study investigated pollinator use across areas of the channelized Hocking River’s banks in different stages of ecological succession, according to when each area last experienced a mowing disturbance. These successional stages of growth—an associated pollinator use—were compared according to each area’s community structure using metrics such as diversity, leaf area index (LAI), greatest height, percentage of native plants, and percentage of noxious plants. Each successional stage was monitored over time to assess seasonal change in both vegetative growth and pollinator use. Each area was also evaluated for both actual and hypothetical roughness scenarios to determine what impact mowing regimes—and lack thereof—might have on flood potential. Considerations were given to past studies that examined community perceptions of the channelized river, as well as precipitation and flood trends. Ultimately, this study investigated whether alternative mowing practices could be socially, economically, and ecologically beneficial, without jeopardizing flood protection. The study concluded that the ecosystem service benefits of actively managed growth outweigh the risk of flooding in the channel. It recommends that further studies, including a review from the Army Corps of Engineers, be undertaken to begin the process of restoring the channelized Hocking River’s riparian zone to a more sustainable and ecologically beneficial state.
Natalie Kruse Daniels, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Rebecca Snell, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Amy Lynch, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
118 p.
Biology; Botany; Civil Engineering; Conservation; Ecology; Engineering; Entomology; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Geography; History; Horticulture; Hydrologic Sciences; Hydrology; Landscape Architecture; Management; Plant Biology; Plant Sciences; Pollen; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management
riparian; Hocking River; flooding; river channelization; Army Corps of Engineers; pollinator; restoration; hydraulic roughness; plants; ecology; invasive species; management; mowing; mitigation; Athens, Ohio; no-mow; engineering; history; Ohio University

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Facun, J. B. (2020). Effects of Mowing Regimes on the Plants, Pollinators, and Roughness of the Channelized Hocking River’s Riparian Zone, Athens, Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597248243432497

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Facun, Jasmine. Effects of Mowing Regimes on the Plants, Pollinators, and Roughness of the Channelized Hocking River’s Riparian Zone, Athens, Ohio. 2020. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597248243432497.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Facun, Jasmine. "Effects of Mowing Regimes on the Plants, Pollinators, and Roughness of the Channelized Hocking River’s Riparian Zone, Athens, Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1597248243432497

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1597248243432497
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.