Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID AL_2023_Knappenberger

Land Use Change Effects on Coastal Headwater Wetland Hydrology

Institute: Alabama
Year Established: 2023 Start Date: 2023-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $25,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $25,000

Principal Investigators: Thorsten Knappenberger

Project Summary: Urban development has significant impacts on coastal ecosystems and wetlands. Wetlands help regulate the hydrological cycle, maintain water quality, support biodiversity, and provide habitat. Urban development leads to the destruction/degradation of wetlands via filling, dredging, or draining, which alter hydrology, soil characteristics, and plant and animal communities. Additionally, urban development increases impervious surfaces, such as pavement and buildings, and thereby increasing stormwater runoff and decreasing soil infiltration. The results are increased erosion, flooding, and pollution in nearby waterways. The National Land Cover Database data from 2001 and 2019 indicate a great percent increase in developed areas in Mobile and Baldwin County. Most developed areas are converted from Forests, Pastures, Crops, and wetlands. Wetland soils require saturated conditions to function and provide ecosystem services. However, the highlighted land use changes affect surface and groundwater hydrology, altering wetlands and reducing wetland functions. Results from this project will link land use land cover (LULC) changes to wetland functionality.