Mapping the Distribution of Barrier Island Slash Pine Woodland and Determining Growth Responses of Pinus elliottii to Hurricane Katrina (2005) on Cat Island, Mississippi

<p>Barrier islands are ubiquitous features along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico North American coastline and are subjected disturbances such as extreme episodic events. The wind, waves, and storm surges of Hurricane Katrina heavily impacted the Mississippi–Alabama barrier island chain on August 29, 2005. Cat Island experienced a 7-m storm surge, the highest wind energy in the chain, but was estimated to have the least amount of forest mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of <em>Pinus elliottii </em>on Cat Island Mississippi and evaluate relationships of elevation with mean radial growth rate (mm y ̄ ˡ), stem diameter (cm), and change in radial growth rate (% change) five years post Hurricane Katrina. The overarching hypothesis is that growth rate in <em>P. elliottii </em>on Cat Island, is a function of elevation. The two sub-hypotheses tested were 1) mean radial growth and stem diameter are functions of elevation and 2) growth response to Hurricane Katrina (% change) is a function of elevation. Remotely sensed data was used in conjunction with tree core and ground data to assess these relationships. Trees were selected for sampling using a point-centered quarter distance method. At each sample site, two to four radii were extracted from each tree then the stem diameter was measured. The GPS location and elevation were recorded. Decreased radial growth from Hurricane Katrina was observed in 92% of the sample population. Regression analysis shows no relationship of radial growth and stem diameter versus elevation. The hypotheses were rejected and an alternate proposed.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography and Geology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Funderburk, William Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Greg Carter
• Grant Harley
• George Raber

• Pinus elliottii
• Hurricane Katrina
• barrier island
• microtopography
• dendrochronology
• remote sensing
• Geography

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/74

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1060