Middle Rio Grande Multitemporal Land Cover Classifications - 1935, 1962, 1987, 1999, and 2014

The San Acacia Reach of the Middle Rio Grande has experienced multiple management and river flow fluctuations, resulting in threats to its riparian and aquatic ecosystems. This research used remote sensing data, GIS, a review of management decisions, and an assessment of climate to quantify how riparian vegetation has been altered over time. This research focused on four management phases from 1935-2014, each highlighting different management practices and climate-driven river patterns, providing unique opportunities to observe a direct relationship between river management, climate, and riparian response. A land cover classification was created for each date constraining the management phases, 1935, 1962, 1987 (twice), 1999, and 2014. The 1935, 1962, and first 1987 classifications were produced by digitizing aerial imagery. The second 1987 classification, 1999, and 2014 classifications were created using a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) model.