Surface Water Research Group

Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder

 

Current Students

Dave Bedford
PhD Candidate

Office: Benson Room 225
E-mail: David.Bedford@colorado.edu

Dissertation title:
Spatial variability of ecohydrologic properties in semi-arid landscapes

I am studying the spatial interactions between shrubland vegetation and surface water and sediment fluxes on hillslope and alluvial fan surfaces the arid Southwest. My research focuses on geostatistical characterization of plot-scale field data, modeling of overland flow characteristics, and determining soil erosion/deposition patterns. By studying the spatial patterns of ecohydrological variables (i.e. soil heterogeneity) I hope to better understand vegetation-soil interactions and how these interactions change as a function of landscape position and climate (long-term geomophologic conditions). Ultimately, my research is focused on self-organization of ecohydrologic systems, particularly, how these systems may develop to conserve water and sediment.

Ethan Gutmann
PhD Candidate

Office: Ekeley/CIRES Room W225
E-mail: gutmann@colorado.edu
Website: http://aster.colorado.edu

 Dissertation title:
Determination of Soil Hydraulic Properties from Remotely Sensed Surface Temperature in Semi-Arid Environments

I am a PhD candidate in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado, Boulder. My dissertation is looking at the effect of Soil Hydraulic Properties on surface temperature. Soil hydraulic properties are important parameters in climate models, weather prediction, flood forecasting, and aquifer recharge studies. However, the spatial distribution of these properties is very poorly understood. I hope to use the relationship between surface temperatures and soil hydraulic properties to determine hydraulic properties from remotely sensed surface temperatures.
Laure Montandon
PhD Candidate

Office: Benson Room 255
E-mail: Laure.Montandon@colorado.edu
Website: http://rintintin.colorado.edu/~montando/

 Dissertation title:
The impact of ground reflectance on the estimation of the green vegetation fraction from remote sensing data

The green vegetation fraction (Fg) is an important parameter used in many applications, including weather forecast and climate models. Fg is estimated using remote sensing measurements to parametrize Fg models. These models are generally simple mixing models between two end-members: soil and vegetation. My goal is to improve the Fg estimate by providing better characterization of the vegetation's background signal, which should include better constrained soil information as well as information on other ground components like litter.
Evan Pugh
PhD Student

Office: Benson Room 255
E-mail: Evan.Pugh@Colorado.EDU
http://hickory.colorado.edu

 Dissertation title:
TBD

I am currently studying the hydrological impact of Lodgepole pine tree die-off induced by Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. My research focuses on recognizing changes in the timetable of annual snowmelt and streamflow attentuation. I hypothesize that decreases in canopy interception and evapotranspiration brought about by tree death will result in more water reaching and staying in the soil and also in increased stream discharge. Also, I theorize that insect-caused tree death's removal of solar radiation shielding (forest canopy) will result in snow melting earlier in the season.