Sujay Kaushal, ESSIC and Department of Geology Associate Professor, submitted a report to the Chesapeake Bay Trust titled, “Tree Trade-Offs in Stream Restoration Projects: Impact on Riparian Groundwater Quality”. Kaushal’s co-authors include Kelsey Wood, Department of Geology Faculty Assistant, Joseph G. Galella Department of Geology Graduate Student, and Philippe G. Vidon from The State University of New York.
The report addresses the impact of riparian tree removal during stream restoration and subsequent recovery (if any) on groundwater quality across restored, degraded, and forested reference sites in Maryland. Results suggest that tree removal during stream restoration projects can disrupt multiple elemental cycles and shift the nutrient source or sink dynamics of riparian zones.
Kaushal’s research focuses on long-term chemistry of fresh waters, effects of land use and climate on water quality, and managing and restoring freshwater ecosystems. His current projects investigate freshwater salinization syndrome, human-accelerated weathering, long-term chemistry of inland waters, river restoration, urban evolution of biogeochemical cycles, and applications of geochemical approaches in ecology. More details regarding his research, teaching, and current CV can also be found at http://www.geol.umd.edu/faculty/KAUSHAL and www.kaushallab.com.
To access the report, click here: “Tree Trade-Offs in Stream Restoration Projects: Impact on Riparian Groundwater Quality”.
