The ecological impact of flooding: a study of tree damage

TL;DR

This study investigates how factors like tree height, species, origin, and flood water height influence tree damage during the 2011 Minot flood, providing insights for better planting practices in flood-prone areas.

Contribution

It identifies key factors affecting tree damage during floods and highlights their interactions, informing mitigation strategies for flood-prone regions.

Findings

Tree height, species, origin, and water height significantly affect damage.

Factors interact in complex ways influencing damage severity.

Results can guide planting practices to reduce flood damage.

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify factors affecting tree damage in the historical Minot flood of 2011. We hypothesized that tree height, identity, origin, and maximum water height affect in the severity of damage sustained by a tree in a flood event. All these factors were significant but highly interactive. The results from this research can influence planting practices in valleys and other flood prone areas to mitigate future damage.