Cliff Hupp is a Scientist Emeritus at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
Dr. Cliff R. Hupp is the Lead Scientist of the Vegetation and Hydrogeomorphology Project of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Research Program in Reston, Virginia, where he has been since 1978. Presently, he is the Research Advisor for the Geomorphology and Sediment Transport Group. He has investigated fluvial geomorphology and riparian vegetation ecology in relation to landforms and hydrologic processes for 35 years. Additional research includes studies on forested wetland biogeochemistry, channel evolution, floodplain processes and forms, sedimentation dynamics, and carbon sequestration in riparian ecosystems in the U.S. and Europe.
C.R. Hupp's background is in both plant ecology and fluvial geomorphology, and importantly the transition area(s) between these two fields. Specific areas include: vegetation patterns (species distribution) in the face of hydrogeomorphic form and process, dynamic equilibrium in fluvial (and occasionally hillslope) systems, sediment deposition and erosion in riparian areas (in channel and on floodplains), wetland hydrogeomorphic interactions with plant ecology, channel/riparian zone evolution, eco-hydrogeomorphic impacts from human alteration, organic material (carbon) dynamics in biogeochemical based studies, dendrogeomorphology, large wood dynamics in lowland rivers, vegetation-derived channel/floodplain roughness, and once upon a time-- flood frequency/magnitude analyses. He has published widely in refereed papers of journals, books, and symposia proceedings. Cliff was a student of the late John T. Hack at the George Washington University, where he received his doctorate in 1984 in plant ecology and geomorphology. He received his M.S. degree from George Mason University in plant ecology (1979). Dr. Hupp is the 1993 recipient of the Ecological Society of America, W.C. Cooper Award for outstanding research in physiographic ecology. He received the U.S. Department of Interior Superior Service Award in 2006 and the Senior Research Award of the Association of Southeastern Biologists in 2010. He served as section editor for the ESA journals “Ecology” and “Ecological Monographs” from 1999 until 2009 and is co-editor of the Ecogeomorphology Volume of the Treatise in Geomorphology. This project’s research in the cross-disciplinary field of geomorphic forms and processes and vegetation ecology, particularly (but not limited to) in alluvial areas is recognized within the Division, the USGS, and worldwide as a leader in this field. A paper on riparian vegetation and fluvial geomorphology (Hupp and Osterkamp, 1996) is the third most frequently cited paper published in the journal Geomorphology. Since 1992 this project has greatly increased the number of wetlands studied for sedimentation rates, and has been instrumental in providing guidance to other researchers both inside and outside the USGS who have also dramatically increased this number. This has lead to a worldwide greater appreciatio
Science and Products
Science Summary—Sediment and Nutrient Trapping in the Flood Plain of Difficult Run, Virginia, and Implications for the Restoration of Chesapeake Bay
Hydrogeomorphic data along transitioning Coastal Plain rivers (Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers): implications for a rising sea level
Predictions of floodplain and streambank geomorphic change and flux of sediment and nutrients, and streambed characteristics, for stream reaches in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Physico-chemical characteristics and sediment and nutrient fluxes of floodplains, streambanks, and streambeds in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Data supporting the study to evaluate the effectiveness of floodplain reconnection on water quality functions along Pocomoke River, Maryland.
Floodplain sedimentation, bank erosion, and biogeochemical cycling of sediment and nutrients in Smith Creek (Virginia) 2012-2015
Hydrogeomorphic changes along mid-Atlantic coastal plain rivers transitioning from non-tidal to tidal: Implications for a rising sea level
Streambank and floodplain geomorphic change and contribution to watershed material budgets
Watershed and estuarine controls both influence plant community and tree growth changes in tidal freshwater forested wetlands along two U.S. mid-Atlantic rivers
Memorial to Waite Osterkamp 1939-2020
Sediment dynamics and implications for management: State of the science from long‐term research in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA
The effects of restored hydrologic connectivity on floodplain trapping vs. release of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment along the Pocomoke River, Maryland USA
Sediment trapping and carbon sequestration in floodplains of the lower Atchafalaya Basin, LA: Allochthonous vs. autochthonous carbon sources
A method to quantify and value floodplain sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem services
Floodplains provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining floodwaters, sediments, and nutrients. The dynamic nature of floodplains is such that these areas can both accumulate sediment and nutrients through deposition, and export material downstream through erosion. Therefore, estimating floodplain sediment and nutrient retention should consider the net flux
The role of the upper tidal estuary in wetland blue carbon storage and flux
Floodplain trapping and cycling compared to streambank erosion of sediment and nutrients in an agricultural watershed
Flood effects provide evidence of an alternate stable state from dam management on the Upper Missouri River
Assessment of transfer patterns and origins of in-channel wood in large rivers using repeated field surveys and wood characterisation (the Isère River upstream of Pontcharra, France)
Science and Products
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Science Summary—Sediment and Nutrient Trapping in the Flood Plain of Difficult Run, Virginia, and Implications for the Restoration of Chesapeake Bay
As the largest and most productive estuary in North America, Chesapeake Bay is a vital ecological and economic resource. The bay and its tributaries have been degraded in recent decades, however, by excessive inputs of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment, causing poor water-quality conditions for fish and wildlife. Nitrogen and phosphorus cause algae blooms, fish kills, and poor water... - Data
Hydrogeomorphic data along transitioning Coastal Plain rivers (Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers): implications for a rising sea level
Data on changing hydrogeomorphic characteristics along river gradients from nontidal through tidal freshwater to oligohaline reaches along the Mattaponi and Pamunkey Rivers, Virginia. Shapefile data include location and elevation profiles of the river valleys along multiple digital cross-sections from lidar digital elevation models, satellite visible imagery, and geographic information system analPredictions of floodplain and streambank geomorphic change and flux of sediment and nutrients, and streambed characteristics, for stream reaches in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Input predictor variables and output predictions from statistical modeling of floodplains, streambanks, and streambeds for each NHDPlusV2 stream reach in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic. Random Forest statistical models using either 1) characteristics of upstream drainage area, or 2) characteristics of upstream drainage area (Wieczorek et al. 2018, https:/Physico-chemical characteristics and sediment and nutrient fluxes of floodplains, streambanks, and streambeds in the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River watersheds
Dataset includes site averages of measurements of floodplain and streambank sediment physico-chemistry and long-term (dendrogeomorphic) vertical and lateral geomorphic change, and reach scale floodplain width, streambank height, channel width, and streambed particle size. This information was used to calculate fluxes of sediment, fine sediment, sediment-C, sediment-N, and sediment-C of floodplainsData supporting the study to evaluate the effectiveness of floodplain reconnection on water quality functions along Pocomoke River, Maryland.
Data release, including sedimentation, inorganic nutrient release, pre-restoration soil physico-chemistry, post-restoration soil physico-chemistry, and GPS location of plots.Floodplain sedimentation, bank erosion, and biogeochemical cycling of sediment and nutrients in Smith Creek (Virginia) 2012-2015
This USGS Data Release represents tabular data for chemical and physical attributes, rates of deposition, erosion, and mineralization of bank and floodplain sediments and soils from five study sites in the Smith Creek watershed between 2012 and 2015. The data release was produced in compliance with the new 'open data' requirements as a way to make the scientific products associated with USGS resea - Publications
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Hydrogeomorphic changes along mid-Atlantic coastal plain rivers transitioning from non-tidal to tidal: Implications for a rising sea level
Sea level rise is affecting reaches of coastal rivers by increasing water levels and propagating tides inland. The transition of river systems into tidal estuaries has been neglected in hydrogeomorphic studies. A better understanding of transitioning reaches is critical to understanding ecosystem dynamics, services, and developing predictive capabilities of change as sea levels rise. We hypothesizAuthorsDaniel Kroes, Gregory B. Noe, Cliff R. Hupp, Tom Doody, P.A. BukaveckasStreambank and floodplain geomorphic change and contribution to watershed material budgets
Stream geomorphic change is highly spatially variable but critical to landform evolution, human infrastructure, habitat, and watershed pollutant transport. However, measurements and process models of streambank erosion and floodplain deposition and resulting sediment fluxes are currently insufficient to predict these rates in all perennial streams over large regions. Here we measured long-term latAuthorsGregory B. Noe, Kristina G. Hopkins, Peter Claggett, Edward R. Schenk, Marina Metes, Labeeb Ahmed, Tom Doody, Cliff R. HuppWatershed and estuarine controls both influence plant community and tree growth changes in tidal freshwater forested wetlands along two U.S. mid-Atlantic rivers
The tidal freshwater zone near the estuarine head-of-tide is potentially sensitive to both sea-level rise and associated salinity increases as well as changing watershed inputs of freshwater and nutrients. We evaluated the vegetation response of tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) to changes in nontidal river versus estuarine controls along the longitudinal gradient of the Mattaponi and PamuAuthorsGregory B. Noe, Norman A Bourg, Ken Krauss, Jamie A. Duberstein, Cliff R. HuppMemorial to Waite Osterkamp 1939-2020
No abstract available.AuthorsJulio L. Betancourt, John R. Gray, Cliff R. Hupp, Wijlliam W. Emmett, Terry ToySediment dynamics and implications for management: State of the science from long‐term research in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA
This review aims to synthesize the current knowledge of sediment dynamics using insights from long‐term research conducted in the watershed draining to the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S., to inform management actions to restore the estuary and its watershed. The sediment dynamics of the Chesapeake are typical of many impaired watersheds and estuaries around the world, and this synAuthorsGregory B. Noe, Matt J. Cashman, Katherine Skalak, Allen Gellis, Kristina G. Hopkins, Doug L. Moyer, James S. Webber, Adam Benthem, Kelly O. Maloney, John Brakebill, Andrew Sekellick, Michael J. Langland, Qian Zhang, Gary W. Shenk, Jennifer L. D. Keisman, Cliff R. HuppThe effects of restored hydrologic connectivity on floodplain trapping vs. release of phosphorus, nitrogen, and sediment along the Pocomoke River, Maryland USA
River channelization and artificial levees have decreased the hydrologic connectivity of river-floodplain systems around the world. In response, restoration through enhancing connectivity has been advocated to improve the functions of floodplains, but uncertain benefits and the possibility of phosphate release from re-flooded soils has limited implementation. In this study, we measured change in fAuthorsGregory B. Noe, Kathy Boomer, Jaimie Gillespie, Cliff R. Hupp, Mario Martin-Alciati, Kelly Floro, Edward R. Schenk, Amy K. Jacobs, Steve StranoSediment trapping and carbon sequestration in floodplains of the lower Atchafalaya Basin, LA: Allochthonous vs. autochthonous carbon sources
Recent studies suggest that about 2 Pg of organic C is stored on floodplains worldwide. The present study indicates the Atchafalaya River, fifth largest river in the United States in terms of discharge, traps 30 mm/y of sediment on average within its floodplain, which is the highest average non‐episodic rate of fluvial deposition on the U.S. Coastal Plain. We installed sediment sampling stations aAuthorsCliff R. Hupp, Daniel E. Kroes, Gregory B. Noe, Edward R. Schenk, Richard H. DayA method to quantify and value floodplain sediment and nutrient retention ecosystem services
Floodplains provide critical ecosystem services to local and downstream communities by retaining floodwaters, sediments, and nutrients. The dynamic nature of floodplains is such that these areas can both accumulate sediment and nutrients through deposition, and export material downstream through erosion. Therefore, estimating floodplain sediment and nutrient retention should consider the net flux
AuthorsKristina G. Hopkins, Gregory B. Noe, Fabiano Franco, Emily J. Pindilli, Stephanie Gordon, Marina Metes, Peter R. Claggett, Allen Gellis, Cliff R. Hupp, Dianna M. HoganThe role of the upper tidal estuary in wetland blue carbon storage and flux
Carbon (C) standing stocks, C mass balance, and soil C burial in tidal freshwater forested wetlands (TFFW) and TFFW transitioning to low‐salinity marshes along the upper estuary are not typically included in “blue carbon” accounting, but may represent a significant C sink. Results from two salinity transects along the tidal Waccamaw and Savannah rivers of the US Atlantic Coast show total C standinAuthorsKen W. Krauss, Gregory B. Noe, Jamie A. Duberstein, William H. Conner, Camille L. Stagg, Nicole Cormier, Miriam C. Jones, Christopher E. Bernhardt, B. Graeme Lockaby, Andrew S. From, Thomas W. Doyle, Richard H. Day, Scott H. Ensign, Katherine N. Pierfelice, Cliff R. Hupp, Alex T. Chow, Julie L. WhitbeckFloodplain trapping and cycling compared to streambank erosion of sediment and nutrients in an agricultural watershed
Floodplains and streambanks can positively and negatively influence downstream water quality through interacting geomorphic and biogeochemical processes. Few studies have measured those processes in agricultural watersheds. We measured inputs (floodplain sedimentation and dissolved inorganic loading), cycling (floodplain soil nitrogen [N] and phosphorus [P] mineralization), and losses (bank erosioAuthorsJaimie Gillespie, Gregory B. Noe, Cliff R. Hupp, Allen Gellis, Edward R. SchenkFlood effects provide evidence of an alternate stable state from dam management on the Upper Missouri River
We examine how historic flooding in 2011 affected the geomorphic adjustments created by dam regulation along the approximately 120 km free flowing reach of the Upper Missouri River bounded upstream by the Garrison Dam (1953) and downstream by Lake Oahe Reservoir (1959) near the City of Bismarck, ND, USA. The largest flood since dam regulation occurred in 2011. Flood releases from the Garrison DamAuthorsKatherine Skalak, Adam J. Benthem, Cliff R. Hupp, Edward R. Schenk, Joel M. Galloway, Rochelle A. NustadAssessment of transfer patterns and origins of in-channel wood in large rivers using repeated field surveys and wood characterisation (the Isère River upstream of Pontcharra, France)
When and whence does wood enter large mountain alluvial rivers? How stable through time are characteristics and quantities of wood deposited in a reach? These simple questions related to the complex practice of wood budgeting are explored on the Isère River in France. We hypothesise that (i) the wood originates from the riparian zone all along the alluvial reach and that (ii) the characters and quAuthorsHervé Piégay, Bertrand Moulin, Cliff R. Hupp - News