Carbon Storage and Uptake in Woody Riparian Ecosystems in Eastern Washington
Faculty Mentor
Camille McNeely
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
10-5-2023 11:15 AM
End Date
10-5-2023 1:00 PM
Location
PUB NCR
Department
Biology
Abstract
This study will estimate carbon storage and carbon uptake in riparian zones along streams within the Crab Creek, Hangman Creek, and Rock Creek watersheds in Eastern Washington. Riparian zones are important wildlife habitat and maintain water quality and stream health. However, riparian zones in this region have been heavily modified through clearing of woody vegetation and conversion to other land uses, such as agriculture and urban development. Terrestrial carbon storage is important for climate mitigation and could provide additional motivation for riparian restoration. However, the capacity for carbon storage in locally restored riparian zones is unknown. For this project, I will estimate carbon storage and uptake in 3 site types: 1) established riparian woody vegetation, 2) restored riparian woody vegetation, and 3) modified riparian zones with little woody vegetation. For woody vegetation, I will estimate carbon storage and uptake using programs called i-TreeEco and i-Tree Landscape. These programs require measurements of tree diameter at breast height and satellite imagery for estimation of tree height. My first hypothesis is that established riparian areas will have the highest carbon uptake and carbon storage, restored riparian areas will be intermediate, and non-wooded riparian zones will have the lowest amounts of carbon uptake and carbon storage. This study fits in with the larger research and effort of stream and ecosystem restoration and will hopefully guide further riparian restoration in the region.
Recommended Citation
Worrell, Emerson, "Carbon Storage and Uptake in Woody Riparian Ecosystems in Eastern Washington" (2023). 2023 Symposium. 38.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2023/res_2023/p2_2023/38
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Carbon Storage and Uptake in Woody Riparian Ecosystems in Eastern Washington
PUB NCR
This study will estimate carbon storage and carbon uptake in riparian zones along streams within the Crab Creek, Hangman Creek, and Rock Creek watersheds in Eastern Washington. Riparian zones are important wildlife habitat and maintain water quality and stream health. However, riparian zones in this region have been heavily modified through clearing of woody vegetation and conversion to other land uses, such as agriculture and urban development. Terrestrial carbon storage is important for climate mitigation and could provide additional motivation for riparian restoration. However, the capacity for carbon storage in locally restored riparian zones is unknown. For this project, I will estimate carbon storage and uptake in 3 site types: 1) established riparian woody vegetation, 2) restored riparian woody vegetation, and 3) modified riparian zones with little woody vegetation. For woody vegetation, I will estimate carbon storage and uptake using programs called i-TreeEco and i-Tree Landscape. These programs require measurements of tree diameter at breast height and satellite imagery for estimation of tree height. My first hypothesis is that established riparian areas will have the highest carbon uptake and carbon storage, restored riparian areas will be intermediate, and non-wooded riparian zones will have the lowest amounts of carbon uptake and carbon storage. This study fits in with the larger research and effort of stream and ecosystem restoration and will hopefully guide further riparian restoration in the region.
