Is Climate Change Infiltrating Your Backyard?
Rivers are important indicators of ecosystem health and the long-term
effects of climate change. To better understand how climate change is
affecting Ohio’s rivers, Ohio State University undergraduate Melody Green,
along with Drs. Devin Smith and Berry Lyons, have been studying the Grand
River and Big Darby Creek. They will present their findings at GSA Connects
2024 in Anaheim, focusing on river discharge—a key measure of water volume
flow. Their research highlights how precipitation and extreme weather
events impact river discharge, leading to fluctuations in water volume.
These patterns are crucial for understanding the effects of climate change
on rivers and their ecosystems.
As part of her senior research thesis, Green analyzed the discharge
patterns of both rivers, which flow through northeast and central Ohio and
have watersheds that are primarily composed of forested and agricultural
ecosystems. Using data from the past three decades, Green conducted
statistical analyses on each river’s discharge pattern to evaluate trends
in discharge data. She implemented a Mann-Kendall Test—a statistical test
that measures the strength of the relationship between two variables over
time— to “determine whether or not there are seasonal trends” present in
the data. Green found that while overall discharge has increased from 1990
to 2021, the annual minimum discharge has been decreasing, indicating
larger yearly discharge fluctuations with an overall increase in total
discharge volume.
These findings suggest that long-term climate changes, such as higher
levels of annual precipitation and more extreme weather events like storms
and droughts, may be affecting the Grand and the Big Darby watersheds.
Although a rise in annual discharge may signify an increase in
precipitation and extreme weather events, Green’s preliminary findings have
shown that “there is not a significant correlation between precipitation
and discharge in The Grand River.” Therefore, it is plausible that the
variations in discharge are caused by a combination of global climate
change and regional factors, such as urban and agricultural infrastructure.
Whether these changes are being fueled by global climate change, regional
land use changes, or a combination of both, Green asserts that the changes
in discharge volume can have “a large impact on the surrounding community.”
As a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio, Green has grown up with the Darby
River in her backyard, so her research holds personal significance. She
emphasizes the importance of researching and understanding how global
climate change affects local climate. Green concludes, “regional research
on rivers can contribute to larger scale understanding of the effects of
climate change on surface water systems.”
The Impact of Climate Change on Scenic Rivers in Ohio
T20. 36th Annual Undergraduate Research Exhibition Sponsored by Sigma
Gamma Epsilon (Posters)
Contact: Melody Green, The Ohio State University, green.2379@osu.edu
Mon., 23 Sept., 3:30–5:30 p.m.
About the Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society
with a membership of more than 17,000 individuals in over 100 countries. GSA
serves as a leading voice for the geosciences, promoting the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fostering collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers.
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