Examining Tidal Influences on Channel Planform Using GIS

Table of Contents:

1. Annotated Articles
2. Other Articles
3. Explore Further

Compiled for GEO 565 Winter 2005, Dr. Wright.
Colin MacLaren 　

The author is currently pursuing an MS degree in geography at Oregon State University.

Interests: Exploring fluvial geomorphic issues associated with tidally influenced stream channels. 　

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Articles:

Andrews, B., P.A. Gares, J.D. Colby.  Techniques for GIS modeling of coastal dunes.  Geomorphology V28:1, pp. 289-308 (2002).

This study discusses issues associated with monitoring coastal dune dynamics via remotely sensed data.  Among the issues discussed is the application of GIS technology to analyze and present 2-D and 3-D dune morphodynamics.  One interesting aspect of the study is the use of field data collected via GPS to calibrate remotely-sensed datasets.  Limitations of field data collection methods were encountered; issues involved limited data point capture over broad, shifting areas.  Nevertheless, the study ascertained that volumetric change over a 1-year period was dominated by erosion along the seaward face of the dune, and that a few key storm events initiated the majority of this shift.

 

Awasthi, K.D., B.K. Sitaula, et al. Land-Use Change in Two Nepalese Watersheds: GIS and Geomorphometric Analysis. Land Degradation and Development, V13:495-513 (2002).

The authors present a geographic information system (GIS) analysis of land-use and land-cover in a Nepalese watershed.  The analysis is to evaluate watershed health changes over an eighteen-year period.  The study used digitized 1978 and 1996 aerial photography to interpret natural vegetative cover and local land use changes, and to garner rates of change for the land cover parameters examined.  The study found that the landscape was more dynamic than earlier, non-GIS based assessments had determined; notably, a relatively large percentage of agricultural land had been abandoned.  Expansion of agriculture into undeveloped areas appeared primarily in scrub/shrub areas, leaving forests mostly intact.  These findings ran contrary to earlier concepts of watershed/land-use dynamics.  The study provides a good example of how a set of criteria establishing values for, in this case, beneficial or detrimental land uses are used to inform an assessment of watershed health, and ultimately to help set land-use policy.  . 

　

Fagherazzi, S., A. Bortoluzzi, W.E. Dietrich, et al.  Tidal networks:  automatic network extraction and preliminary scaling features from digital terrain maps. Water Resources Research, V35:12, pp.3891-3904 (1999).

This study examines the use of remotely captured SPOT imagery of the Venice Lagoon, Italy to analyze channel planform and channel area.  This study is innovative in its method for calculating channel area based on remotely sensed data.  The relationship between channel length and channel area is important in understanding the mechanics particular to each fluvial system.  The ability to remotely capture these parameters allows efficient comparison of tidal channel characteristics to those of terrestrial channels.  Using GIS as the spatial analysis tool, the authors were able to illustrate differences in scaling relationships graphically.  Of interest is the use of GIS to identify and tally channel bifurcation.  One problem in using remotely sensed datasets to determine channel characteristics, especially when area is an important parameter, is determining exactly where a tributary branches from the main channel.  An algorithm based on angle variation of thalwegs was constructed and applied to the GIS analysis.   

　

Hood, W.G.  Indirect Environmental Effects of Dikes on Estuarine Tidal Channels:  Thinking Outside of the Dike for Habitat Restoration and Monitoring.  Estuaries, V27:2, pp. 273-282.

The author examines effects of diked channels in tidal areas on habitat using aerial photography converted to digital files usable in a GIS application.  The study focused on changes in channel width and length in areas affected by dike construction.  The findings of this study are open to question due to the precision of resolution claimed by the analyses.  For example, the study finds that channel width changes of one (1) meter were detectable from 1:20,000-scale digitized aerial photographs from 1956 and 2000.  The study notes that ArcGIS 3.1 was employed to provide the analyses, but fails to explain or explore limitations of this tool when resolving data.  This paper may be a good example of potential analytical pitfalls when using GIS tools. 

 

Lomba, A., J. Torres, H. Alves, J. Honrado.  GIS applied to landscape valuation and management in coastal areas.  Littoral, September 20-22, 2004.

Lomba et al explores uses of GIS in analyzing vegetation populations of a sand dune reserve in northwestern Portugal.  The dune reserve is in a “highly humanized” coastal area subject to development and other human disturbance pressures.  The study approach established values for ‘phytocoenological areas’ based on vegetation community ecology and socio-economic criteria.  The GIS-based analysis incorporated vegetation, recreational use, and land use data sets to produce a set of graphics showing polygons of high and low value dune areas.  The study identified priority dune galleries, which will be useful in establishing ecological study and management plan priorities.

 

Mitasova, H., M. Overton, R.S. Harmon.  Geospatial analysis of a coastal sand dune field evolution:  Jockey’s Ridge, North Carolina.  Geomorphology V72, pp. 204-221 (2005).

This paper examines sand dunes of Jockey’s Ridge, N.C. using a variety of remote and field-based data sets.  The study is an effort to better understand dune dynamics to inform preservation and management of this natural feature.  Dune migration and dune volume changes measured between 1915 and 2004 were compiled and transformed into GIS datasets.  Of interest is the evolution of spatial measurement techniques through the period examined – from rod and chain to early GPS measurements to satellite imagery.  The study examines and comments on limitations of using each different spatial measurement technique in GIS analyses, thus providing several good examples of how to process datasets for use in GIS. 

 

Pasternack, G.B., W.B. Hilgartner, G.S. Brush.  Biogeomorphology of an upper Chesapeake Bay river-mouth tidal freshwater marsh.  Wetlands V20:3 pp. 52-537 (2000).

This study uses a basic field survey approach to monitor seasonal vegetation, sediment, and substrate dynamics.  The purpose of the study is to better understand process morphology and the effects of vegetation on channel morphometry.  Plant associations and sediment deposition patterns were measured bi-weekly along fixed transects.  Data points were captured using GPS; GIS was used to calculate geomorphic parameters.  Of interest is the application of the GIS distance and area tools to construct an autocorrelation analog.  Pasternack et al focused on space and scale as the most influential functions, rather than plant community type/structure. 

 

Saifuzzaman, M., M.S. Alam, M.S. Rashid.  Remote Sensing and GIS Application for Assessing Coastal Geomorphological Changes:  A River Basin Approach.  20th ISPRS Proceedings, Istanbul, Turkey http://www.isprs.org/istanbul2004/comm3/papers/383.pdf

The authors examined changes to a coastal river basin of southwestern Bangladesh over a period of three decades (1967-2003).  Stated goals of the study are to identify and map geomorphometric and ecologic setting, and to identify and inventory land use and land cover changes through the period examined.  The purpose of the study is to understand influences of human interaction on the landscape.  This brief paper demonstrates one approach to studying effects of large-scale population increases on important habitat. 

 

 

 

 

Potentially useful articles not annotated here:

·        Kench, P.  Geomorphology of Australian estuaries:  Review and prospect.  Austral Ecology V24:4, pp. 367-280(14)(1999).

·        Jinglong Ju.  A PreliminaryStudy on the Calculating Methond for the Evolution of Siltation and Erosion of Tidal Flat Based on GIS.  Marine Science Bulletin V7:1, pp. 45-53 (2005).

·        Kulik, L., M. Duckham, M.J. Egenhofer.  Ontology-driven map generalization.  Journal of Visual Languages and Computing V16:2 (2005).

·        Marani, M., E. Belluco, et al.  On the drainage density of tidal networks.  Water Resources V39:2 (2003).

·        Tucker, G.E., F. Catani, et al.  Statistical análisis of drainage density from digital terrain data.  Geomorphology V36 (2001).

·         Temmerman, S., T.J. Bouma, et al.  Impact of vegetation on flow routing and sedimentation patterns:  Three-dimensional modeling for a tidal marsh.  Journal of Geophysical Research V110 (2005).

·         Lohani, B. D. Manson.  Application of airborn scanning laser altimetry to the study of tidal channel geomorphology.  Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing V56, pp. 100-120 (2001).

·         Lawler, D., J.West, et al. Application of a Novel Automatic Erosion and Deposition Monitoring System at a Channel Bank Site on the Tidal River Trent, U.K.  Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science V53, pp. 237-247 (2001).

 

　

Further exploration:

·      http://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/ceru/index.stm.  University College of London’s web resource for coastal processes.  Includes summaries of GIS research applications as well as links to coastal and estuarine research.

·      http://www.ozestuaries.org/ web page of an Australian non-profit group providing links to basic guidebooks as well as scholarly research on coastal processes.  

·      http://www.geomorph.org/gt/gtgal.html web link to the International Association of Geomorphologists.  This web site provides several useful links geomorphology resources.