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Development of Riparian Integrity Assessment Tool for Austin, Texas

This project outlines the creation of an Index of Riparian Integrity for Austin, TX, using aerial photography and land use data to assess and prioritize riparian areas based on water quality, sediment stability, and vegetation scores. The model includes various environmental integrity indicators and explanatory variables to evaluate the health of riparian ecosystems. Model selection and results are discussed, focusing on factors like woody vegetation and drainage area sizes. Key rivers assessed are Buttermilk Creek, Williamson Creek, Shoal Creek, Onion Creek, and Bee Creek.

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Development of Riparian Integrity Assessment Tool for Austin, Texas

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  1. Development of a Regional Scale Tool to Assess Riparian Integrity in Austin, Texas Society for Ecological Restoration, Texas Chapter & Texas Riparian Association November 2, 2013 Aaron Richter City of Austin, Watershed Protection Department

  2. Outline • Index of Riparian Integrity • City of Austin Riparian Assessments • Building the Model • Integrity Indicator • Variables • Spatial Component • Model Selection • Model Results • Questions

  3. Index of Riparian Integrity (IRI) Macro-scale model based on aerial photography and land use data to assess and quantify the riparian integrity in Austin, TX

  4. City of Austin Assessment and Prioritization of Riparian Areas • Assessment includes water quality, sediment stability, and riparian vegetation scores • Assessment performed at one site for an entire reach

  5. Model Environmental Integrity Indicator Explanatory Variables: Landscape Values Error Weighting Matrix y = X

  6. Model Index Environmental Integrity Indicator y = X

  7. Model Explanatory Variables: Landscape Values y = X

  8. Aerial Photography

  9. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  10. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  11. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  12. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  13. LITTLE BARTON CREEK Robust Vegetation Sparse Vegetation Shadow Impervious Cover Woody Vegetation Water

  14. LITTLE BARTON CREEK Multi Family Single Family Community Agriculture/Undev Manufacturing Utilities/Roads Office Park/Preserve Commercial

  15. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  16. LITTLE BARTON CREEK

  17. Model Weighting Matrix y = X

  18. LITTLE BARTON CREEK LBA2 LBA3 LBA1

  19. Model Selection Single variable of most significance was Woody Vegetation in the 50ft buffer in small drainage areas (64-320 acres). General Linear Models were compared via BIC, Adjusted R2 Multicollinearity and model diagnostics were compared for top models

  20. Model Parameters *Small = 64-320acres, Medium = 320-640acres, Large = >640acres

  21. Poor [25-37] Marginal [38-50] No Score Very Good [76-87] Good [63-75] Fair [51-62]

  22. Poor [25-37]Buttermilk Creek

  23. Fair [51-62]Williamson Creek

  24. Good [63-75]Shoal Creek

  25. Very Good [76-87]Onion Creek

  26. Very Good [76-87]Bee Creek

  27. Acknowledgements • Mateo Scoggins and Surface Water Team • City of Austin, Environmental Resource Mgmt. • Jon Meade and Kathryn Murray • City of Austin, Policy and Planning

  28. Questions?

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