Continuous Wavelet Transform Analysis of Climate Variability, Resiliency, and Restoration Strategies in Mesohaline Tidal Creeks

This research article employs the continuous wavelet transform analysis to identify the climatological effects among various water quality parameters to identify the successfulness of upland stream restoration on the receiving mesohaline tidal creeks. Estuaries and their corresponding tidal creeks h...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water
Main Authors: Andrew C. Muller, Keaghan A. Muller, Diana L. Muller
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024
Subjects:
continuous wavelet transform
climate variability
resiliency
restoration
tidal creeks
Hydraulic engineering
TC1-978
Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes
TD201-500
North Atlantic
North Atlantic oscillation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172433
https://doaj.org/article/c0379456590b480fab7ada8a597170df
Description
Summary:This research article employs the continuous wavelet transform analysis to identify the climatological effects among various water quality parameters to identify the successfulness of upland stream restoration on the receiving mesohaline tidal creeks. Estuaries and their corresponding tidal creeks have been impacted by human anthropogenic influences for decades, allowing a variety of restoration practices to be implemented in upland streams. In the face of climate variability and continuous human development pressures, this research performs statistical analysis and a wavelet coherence on, before, and after stream restoration for water quality changes in Chesapeake Bay’s tidal tributaries in the Lower Western Shore to identify if the restoration strategies have been effective in the mesohaline tidal creeks. Statistical analysis showed that currently, the receiving tidal basins are not seeing the required positive improvements in water quality after years of upland stream restoration. Compounding this is the fact climate variability cannot be ignored. Results indicate that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has significant wavelet coherence with bottom dissolved oxygen, precipitation, and nutrients. This suggests that current restoration efforts may not be able to keep up with climate variability, and other techniques (restoration or policies) may need to be implemented.

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