Long-term impacts of land cover changes on stream channel loss

摘要: Land cover change and stream channel loss are two related global environmental changes that expanding intensifying. Here, we examine how different types transitions of land impact across a large urbanizing watershed. We present historical in the 666-km(2) Lake Thunderbird watershed central Oklahoma (USA) over 137 year period coinciding length for most recent 70 years this period. Combining these datasets allowed us to assess interaction with loss. Over period, upper third shifted from predominantly native grassland an agricultural landscape, followed by widespread urbanization. The lower two-thirds changed forested landscape mosaic agriculture, urban, forest, open water. Most lost time was replaced agriculture. Urban development gradually increased disconnection 1942 2011, particularly headwaters. Intensities both agriculture urban time. longest connected segments came creation impoundments, resulting 46 km 25 channel, respectively. Overall, results study demonstrate multiple various land-use long periods can lead rapid losses lengths as well gradual (but increasing) small all sizes. When taken into account, impacts anthropogenic compounded.