Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Jia Yang

Committee Member

Qin Ma

Committee Member

Qingmin Meng

Date of Degree

8-6-2021

Original embargo terms

Complete embargo for 6 months

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Forest Science and Biology

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Forest Resources

Department

Department of Forestry

Abstract

The Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (LMAV) was once the largest floodplain in the United States. Flooding regimes in the LMAV have strong impacts on the soil biogeochemical processes, nutrient cycling, forest species distribution, agricultural production, and wildlife habitat. This study characterized the LMAV flooding regimes using the 8-day-composite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) surface reflectance product from 2001 - 2018. The results showed significant spatial variations in the annual flooding duration in the LMAV, and the flooding area showed remarkable seasonal variations in the northern and central LMAV with the peak flooding area in winter and early spring. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and slope were identified as the two major factors in determining the spatial pattern of flooding regimes. The LMAV flooding regimes dataset provides a scientific basis for the governments to design forest, agriculture, and wildlife management policies to enhance ecosystem services. Landowners also can use this information to make decisions for cropland retirement and tree plantation.

Download

Share

COinS