Jeffrey W Riley
Jeff is an ecologist at the South Atlantic Water Science Center.
Much of his work has focused on the interactions of hydrology, geomorphology, and ecology. Recent research includes quantifying groundwater use by riparian forests, investigating flash drought impacts on forested ecosystems in the Southeast U.S., and using machine learning models to predict inundation dynamics in isolated wetlands.
Science and Products
Monitoring water-quality and geomorphology in the French Broad River during I-26 construction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess the water-quality and geomorphologic impacts resulting from the I-26 construction projects in western North Carolina. Streamflow, precipitation, and water-quality monitoring data, coupled with periodic assessments of geomorphology, will support the NCDOT construction-site...
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) - Characterizing Wetland Habitat and Hydrology
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are...
Developing Regional Curves for Estimating Bankfull Geometry for Streams in Georgia
Stream channels often are disturbed by human activities such as construction or agriculture. In recent years, scientists and engineers have begun to apply the principles of natural channel design to the construction and restoration of stream channels. Natural channel design, or “stream restoration” involves rebuilding a channel with the appropriate dimensions, slope, and plan view pattern so that...
Climate-Driven Changes to Forested Wetland Inundation Dynamics: Implications for Frogs and Toads
Project Overview Wetlands in forested areas of the Upper Midwest provide vital habitat for amphibians, but changing patterns of drying under climate change can disrupt species reproduction and growth. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will use water depth sensor data, machine learning models, and long-term amphibian surveys to predict wet and dry periods for wetlands...
Assessing Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Conterminous United States for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
This project is funded by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC), one of eight regional CASCs that are coordinated by a National CASC. The CASC network is a partnership-driven program that teams scientists with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to deliver research and tools that can be applied directly to adaptation decisions. This project is focused...
Actual evapotranspiration, flash droughts, water deficits, reduced vegetative growth, and wildfires: the effects of seasonally water-limited conditions in a changing climate
The Southeastern U.S. experiences recurring hydrologic droughts, which can reduce water availability for human consumption and ecosystem services, leading to plant stress and reduced plant growth. This project examines relationships between drought and the water cycle in the Southeast with data from the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) near Atlanta, Georgia and other Southeastern sites...
Small Watershed Studies at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, Georgia
The Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) is a 41-hectare forested watershed in the southern Piedmont physiographic province near Atlanta, Georgia. The watershed contains a naturally regenerated second-growth forest on abandoned agricultural land, typical of the Piedmont. Research at PMRW is focused on how streamflow is generated, and in particular, on how water and solutes move from...
Science and Products
Monitoring water-quality and geomorphology in the French Broad River during I-26 construction
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has partnered with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess the water-quality and geomorphologic impacts resulting from the I-26 construction projects in western North Carolina. Streamflow, precipitation, and water-quality monitoring data, coupled with periodic assessments of geomorphology, will support the NCDOT construction-site...
Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) - Characterizing Wetland Habitat and Hydrology
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) began in 2000 with the goal of determining the status and trends of amphibian populations throughout the U.S. The program was designed to provide information useful in determining causes of declines or other changes in population distributions. Personnel in the South Atlantic Water Science Center are...
Developing Regional Curves for Estimating Bankfull Geometry for Streams in Georgia
Stream channels often are disturbed by human activities such as construction or agriculture. In recent years, scientists and engineers have begun to apply the principles of natural channel design to the construction and restoration of stream channels. Natural channel design, or “stream restoration” involves rebuilding a channel with the appropriate dimensions, slope, and plan view pattern so that...
Climate-Driven Changes to Forested Wetland Inundation Dynamics: Implications for Frogs and Toads
Project Overview Wetlands in forested areas of the Upper Midwest provide vital habitat for amphibians, but changing patterns of drying under climate change can disrupt species reproduction and growth. Researchers supported by this Midwest CASC project will use water depth sensor data, machine learning models, and long-term amphibian surveys to predict wet and dry periods for wetlands...
Assessing Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Conterminous United States for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
This project is funded by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC), one of eight regional CASCs that are coordinated by a National CASC. The CASC network is a partnership-driven program that teams scientists with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to deliver research and tools that can be applied directly to adaptation decisions. This project is focused...
Actual evapotranspiration, flash droughts, water deficits, reduced vegetative growth, and wildfires: the effects of seasonally water-limited conditions in a changing climate
The Southeastern U.S. experiences recurring hydrologic droughts, which can reduce water availability for human consumption and ecosystem services, leading to plant stress and reduced plant growth. This project examines relationships between drought and the water cycle in the Southeast with data from the Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) near Atlanta, Georgia and other Southeastern sites...
Small Watershed Studies at the Panola Mountain Research Watershed, Georgia
The Panola Mountain Research Watershed (PMRW) is a 41-hectare forested watershed in the southern Piedmont physiographic province near Atlanta, Georgia. The watershed contains a naturally regenerated second-growth forest on abandoned agricultural land, typical of the Piedmont. Research at PMRW is focused on how streamflow is generated, and in particular, on how water and solutes move from...