Hydrological shifts and tree growth responses to river modification along the Apalachicola River, Florida

摘要: Shifts in the hydrologic regime of Florida’s Apalachicola River have been attributed to anthropogenic changes throughout its watershed, including local dam construction. To assess impacts those shifts on floodplain forests, we reconstructed tree growth using dendrochronology and compared these trends with hydrological climatic variables. Comparisons stream-gage data before after construction revealed statistically significant mean declines annual average stage. Mean minimum stages, rise rates, fall rates also decreased, while hydrograph reversals increased. Growth four species correlated strongly site-specific inundation parameters. A wetter climate two decades following fine-scale fluctuation may set stage for positive releases. Logging hurricane wind throw events contributed. However, drier conditions last are now exacerbated by stage-d...