Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier
671
Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Major
Earth Sciences
Concentration
Geography
Committee Chair
Arleen Alice Hill
Committee Member
Andrew Michael Mickelson
Committee Member
Lisa Keys-Mathews
Abstract
Southern pine forests thrive on disturbance to remain in sub-climax species composition. Wind disturbance can affect both the health and species composition of forest vegetation and may force forests back to the sub-climax stage if the effects of hurricanes are managed properly. This work explores hurricane impacts on forest health. Post-hurricane change is classified by measuring two components of forest health and then assigning an outcome class based on the components. The components are vegetation health (NDVI) and forest composition. Using Landsat imagery to quantify baseline values, change is recorded for storms of different intensities. Findings classify storms as having a positive, neutral, or negative effect on the forest health and link this effect to storm strength and to management priorities. Category 3 was found to be the threshold for disturbance to have a positive impact on forest health if managed properly.
Library Comment
Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.
Recommended Citation
Correll, Katherine Elise, "When Damage Is Constructive: Interactions of Hurricane Damage Levels with Disturbance-Based Forests" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 553.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/553
Comments
Data is provided by the student.