Simulation of forest changes related to hydrologic variables in the Atchafalaya River basin, Louisiana

M. E. Jennings; C. P. O’Neil

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USGS · 70232914

Simulation of forest changes related to hydrologic variables in the Atchafalaya River basin, Louisiana

M. E. Jennings·C. P. O’Neil

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Abstract

Results of forest-trend modeling from one data set in the Atchafalaya River basin show that predicted forest acreage totals for 16 forest types agree within 30 percent of actual values in two-thirds of the comparisons. A forest-trend simulation model based on statistical regression relations of forest and hydrologic variables and constrained by forest succession concepts was developed using observed data from twenty-four 8-square-mile (20.74-square-kilometre) quadrats. Forest and hydrologic data at each quadrat were sampled in time at three 4-mile (6.44-kilometre)-wide strips across the basin. The model predicts changes in forest-type acreages due to hydrologic change in time steps, or forest acreage transition, of 21 years. Further basin-wide quadrat simulations are planned using hydrologic input data from a flow-sediment model of the basin currently being developed. Other ecosystem models could be appended to the forest-trend simulation model.

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Journal of Research of the U.S. Geological Survey Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 29.74887863492848° to 30.32547125932808° latitude; -91.79489135742188° to -91.08901977539062° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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M. E. Jennings, C. P. O’Neil. 1976. Simulation of forest changes related to hydrologic variables in the Atchafalaya River basin, Louisiana. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70232914

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