The Influence of Land-Cover/Land-Use on the Quality of Inland Lakes Located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

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The Influence of Land-Cover/Land-Use on the Quality of Inland Lakes Located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

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Description

The purpose of this research was to determine the extent of the effects of land-use/land cover on water quality, ecological integrity, and hydrology present within surrounding water bodies. The methods used to determine land-use/land cover types include physical habitat assessment of the riparian zone and banks, human influence characterizations, and satellite imagery and historical map analysis. The expected results to this investigation are that overall lake quality partially depends on the size and condition of the land-use/land cover types surrounding the water body. Highly vegetated buffer zones are expected to produce favorable water quality conditions. Non-vegetated buffer zones consisting of impervious, barren, and grass surfaces are expected to serve as poor buffer zones and contribute to high amounts of nutrient input and erosion. These formulated results can be compared with similar studies conducted by the National Lake Assessment to aid planners in maintenance and restoration of urban water bodies.

Publication Date

9-19-2013

The Influence of Land-Cover/Land-Use on the Quality of Inland Lakes Located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

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