River basin fragmentation, climate change and perception of surface water sustainability in the Central Great Plains of the United States
| Author(s) | Chatterjee, Sarmistha | |
| Date Accessioned | 2017-04-17T12:25:29Z | |
| Date Available | 2017-04-17T12:25:29Z | |
| Publication Date | 2017 | |
| Abstract | Recent historical records for Kansas show dramatic declines in native fish population distribution in the last 60 years, in spite of having various morphological and behavioral adaptations to natural cyclical droughts. This is likely due to widespread dam construction during this same period, which disrupts the linear nature of the stream ecological habitat, that is particularly sensitive to habitat alteration that severs connectivity and isolate population. Dam fragmentation effects on fish biodiversity are magnified in semi-arid basins where drought is common, as fragmented network segments dry completely, eliminating fish populations upstream of fragmentation points, creating flow homogenization, excess carbon deposition and sedimentation. When re-wetted, these segments remain biodiversity dead zone as fish cannot negotiate barriers to recolonize. The cumulative effect is dramatic reduction of available habitat and isolation of sub populations leading to first localized and then basin-wide extirpation. Threats from environmental degradation as a result of the combined risks related to anthropogenic climate change, agriculture and cattle grazing are going to make this region more vulnerable, both ecologically and economically. ☐ This project will examine the extent of small dams in semi-arid streams, which underplays a major role as a mode of silent or hidden fragmentation on the fragile landscape of the central Great Plains of Kansas and will link fragmentation to climate model outputs to compare stream discharge for future projections. A perception analysis of individual understanding of damming is further integrated to know more about surface water sustainability in the basin. | en_US |
| Advisor | Daniels, Melinda D. | |
| Advisor | DeLiberty, Tracy L. | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Geography | |
| Unique Identifier | 982482683 | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/21227 | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://search.proquest.com/docview/1884739707?accountid=10457 | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Basins (Geology) -- Kansas. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Fragmented landscapes -- Kansas. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Climatic changes -- Kansas. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Dams -- Kansas. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Streamflow -- Kansas. | |
| dc.subject.lcsh | Arid regions -- Kansas. | |
| Title | River basin fragmentation, climate change and perception of surface water sustainability in the Central Great Plains of the United States | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |