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Full-Text Articles in Earth Sciences
Multiattribute Optimization Of Restoration Options: Designing Incentives For Watershed Management, Timothy O. Randhir, Deborah M. Shriver
Multiattribute Optimization Of Restoration Options: Designing Incentives For Watershed Management, Timothy O. Randhir, Deborah M. Shriver
Timothy O. Randhir
Watershed restoration requires careful assessment of impairment in ecosystem attributes to design appropriate conservation policies. This study applies a multiattribute optimization framework for evaluating relative gains in restoration based on potential improvements in economic and environmental attributes related to water quality, habitat, and urbanization. Policy mechanisms through direct compensation of restoration activities are evaluated based on single-attribute and multiattribute optimization and watershed response to varying levels of restoration incentives. Results indicate that tradeoffs in economic and environmental objectives are critical to identifying optimal restoration strategies at a watershed scale. The multiattribute optimization method developed in this study balances levels of …
Spatial Modeling Of Land Cover Change And Watershed Response Using Markovian Cellular Automata And Simulation, Timothy O. Randhir, Eric Marshall
Spatial Modeling Of Land Cover Change And Watershed Response Using Markovian Cellular Automata And Simulation, Timothy O. Randhir, Eric Marshall
Timothy O. Randhir
A continued challenge in watershed management is information related to future land cover and its impact on watersheds. Changes in land cover can have significant impact on the quality and quantity of water resources, both spatially and temporally. This study evaluates potential implications of land cover change on the hydrology of a regional watershed. Land cover change is evaluated by using Markov Chain analysis and Cellular Automation to assess future land cover based on transitional probabilities and spatial influences. The hydrology of the watershed is simulated using a continuous time simulation model. The land cover change was found to be …
Integrating Stakeholder Values With Multiple Attributes To Quantify Watershed Performance, Timothy O. Randhir, Deborah M. Shriver
Integrating Stakeholder Values With Multiple Attributes To Quantify Watershed Performance, Timothy O. Randhir, Deborah M. Shriver
Timothy O. Randhir
Integrating stakeholder values into the process of quantifying impairment of ecosystem functions is an important aspect of watershed assessment and planning. This study develops a classification and prioritization model to assess potential impairment in watersheds. A systematic evaluation of a broad set of abiotic, biotic, and human indicators of watershed structure and function was used to identify the level of degradation at a subbasin scale. Agencies and communities can use the method to effectively target and allocate resources to areas of greatest restoration need. The watershed performance measure (WPM) developed in this study is composed of three major components: (1) …
Watershed-Scale Effects Of Urbanization On Sediment Export: Assessment And Policy, Timothy O. Randhir
Watershed-Scale Effects Of Urbanization On Sediment Export: Assessment And Policy, Timothy O. Randhir
Timothy O. Randhir
Built components of watersheds are associated with impervious surfaces that alter hydrology, disrupt ecosystems, and affect water quality. This study focuses on the impervious factor as a tool for assessment and policy design to address water quality impacts. The empirical model uses a combination of watershed simulation and statistical regression modeling to study sediment loading at various stages of urbanization. The policy design is based on private behavior in a watershed setting to develop appropriate economic approaches. The incentives through taxes, subsidies, and cost sharing are based on water quality impacts. It was observed that nonlinearity in response functions resulted …