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.
Recommended Citation
Zhou, Xichun, "Characterizing flooding regimes in the lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley over recent two decades" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 5291.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/5291