Study of the Impact of Snow Avalanche on Vegetation Using Geographic Information Systems
Krishnan S. 2011. Study of the Impact of Snow Avalanche on Vegetation Using Geographic Information Systems. Papers of Resource Analysis, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Central Services Press.. Winona, MN
John F. Stevens Canyon is located in the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, Montana, United States of America. Snow avalanches are very common in the Stevens Canyon often threatening and injuring people and property. This research uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to study impacts of snow avalanches on vegetation in the avalanche paths of John F. Stevens Canyon. The study incorporates historic avalanche data from the years 1986 through 2005 in avalanche paths Shed 7, Shed 8, and Shed 9 in the Stevens Canyon. Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper satellite imagery was utilized to examine vegetation changes over the period. By employing Tasseled Cap Transformation greenness method, vegetation amounts were obtained. Vegetation was classified using a Supervised classification method and subjected to Maximum Likelihood Classification to acquire total vegetation acreage per year. Finally, the impact of snow avalanches on vegetation was analyzed by comparing vegetation existence before, after, and the year of avalanche occurrence. Since snow avalanches have a strong influence with climatic conditions, a statistical correlation test was exercised on the Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), precipitation, and vegetation information of the avalanche year. Results demonstrate a decrease in vegetation in places with frequent avalanches and minimal correlation between climatic data and vegetation.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Krishnan, Suba
- Date of Issue
- 2011
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Avalanche Impacts on Vegetation, Climate, John F. Stevens Canyon, Precipitation, snotel, Snow avalanches, snow water equivalent
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Weather and Climate | Weather and Climate , Ecological Framework: Landscapes | Extreme Disturbance Events | Extreme Disturbance Events