Doan Brook Watershed in Cleveland

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Doan Brook Watershed in Cleveland

Population growth has had far reaching implications on the holistic wellbeing of the environment. Coupled with technological advancements, this has led to increased urbanization. Relative developments have greatly disturbed the natural ecosystem as well as the flora and fauna that are found therein. The relative land use practices have in some instances culminated in the disturbance of the hydrological cycle that is important for different purposes (Jennings 281). While some effects are reversible, others are irreversible and have permanent negative impacts on the environment and on the quality of life of the populations residing in the respective environments. The situation is further worsened if the respective developments occur in watershed environments. Usually, the level of environmental impact on such ecosystems tends to be higher. It is against this background that this paper provides an in depth analysis of the environmental impact of urbanization of Doan brook watershed in Cleveland.

Basically, urbanization results in to destruction of vegetation cover in order to pave way fro development. According to emerging research, this culminates in loss of important biodiversity that is native to the region (Jennings 283). To a great extent, this affects the entire biodiversity composition of the region. This is because biodiversity usually share intricate and augmenting relationships. Destroying a single species can lead to the extinction of other species that depend in different ways to the respective species. Ultimately, the biodiversity composition of the region changes and this impacts differently on the respective ecology.

In his research, Kellog found out that increased urbanization in the region was characterized by creation of impervious surfaces (Kellog 356). To begin with, impervious surfaces have been implicated for increasing the rate of the flow of discharge. This in most instances culminates in the destruction of important habitats that host native flora and fauna. Development of impervious surfaces also reduces the infiltration of water in the soil and culminates in incidences of flooding. Reportedly, the area experiences increased flooding that in some instances destructs property. Usually, this has adverse impacts on the quality of life of the individuals residing in the region.

Also, during flooding, incidences of traffic jam increase significantly. This culminates in increased air pollution that stems from the release of exhaust gases in the atmospheres. To a great extent, this has been the cause of acid rain in the region. The relative increase of acidity in the water bodies threatens the life of biodiversity that is found in the water bodies. Kellog also cites that decreased infiltration has upset the underground water levels (Kellog 356). This has then had direct impacts on the riparian vegetation as well as the water levels.

In his study, Zielinski found out that impervious or pave surfaces also affect the state of the water bodies in the region because of increased erosion (Zielinski 412). Fundamentally, vegetation cover plays an instrumental role in reducing the flow of water and enhancing infiltration. The destruction of vegetation cover has culminated in incidences of downstream flooding because of increased sedimentation. This has impacted negatively on the general wellbeing of the aquatic habitats. Zielinski concluded that accelerated run off is responsible for destruction of important infrastructure too (Zielinski 414). This compromises the quality of life of the individuals that reside in the region.

Also, the area has various activities that culminate in environmental pollution. In his research regarding the impact of urbanization on watershed management, Nacht found out that industrial processes that culminate in the emission of heavy metals and petroleum products have equally have direct negative impacts on the aquatic environment (Nacht 402). Usually, the respective pollutants are released in the atmosphere and on the land surfaces. During storms, waste water washes the wastes in the Shaker Lakes as well as in other sensitive areas. This has adverse impacts on the relative aquatic biodiversity. In particular, it reduces the quality of water and impacts directly on the organisms and humans that depend in different ways on the respective water for survival.

The fertilizers that are used in the lawns have detrimental impacts on both the lawns and the water bodies in the region. In this regard, emergent research indicates that a significant percentage of the inhabitants depend solely on chemical fertilizers to maintain their lawns (Nacht 403). The fertilizers and the pesticides that are used in the lawns contain harmful chemicals that lead to the death of native biodiversity that is found in the region. Reportedly, species such as frogs can not longer reside in the lawns because of the harsh chemicals that are employed by the owners. In addition, these fertilizers include constituents such as phosphorus and nitrogen. This has been responsible for contributing to growth of weeds in the streams and lakes. Besides contributing to flooding, the respective weeds upset the ecological status of the water bodies and impacts negatively on the aquatic habitats.

Pollution has also had direct impacts on the quality of underground water in the region in different ways. To begin with, the development of land fills in a bid to manage solid waste has had direct negative impact on the quality of underground aquifers. According to Betsy, solid wastes culminate in the formation of leachate that infiltrates to the underground aquifers. To a great extent, this has been responsible for the reduction of the quality of underground water (Jennings 285). In addition, leachate also affects the quality of the soil and kills the biodiversity that is found in the respective area. Further, the development of sewerage to manage liquid wastes has equally had devastating impacts on the quality of life of the underground water. In this regard, Betsy cites that periodic sanitary discharges as well as leakages affect the quality of the aquatic environments (Betsy 1946).

The lifestyles of the urban populations also impacts on the environmental conditions of Doan Brook in different ways. In their consultative research, Tina, Benton, Cheung and Betsy found that urban populations in the region keep poultry, pets and so forth (Tina, Benton, Cheung and Betsy 317). The wastes from the respective yards are usually washed in to the water bodies when it rains. The constituent bacterial contaminants undermine the quality of the water as well as destruct the water habitats. Moreover, the bacterial contamination perpetuates the growth of water weeds that destabilize the aquatic environment.

Also worth mentioning is the grease and oil spills that are washed in to the water bodies from the parking lots and garages. According to Betsy, these have contributed significantly to the loss of important aquatic life (Betsy 1937). In this regard, the grease and oil spills suffocate the aquatic life because of their ability to prevent dissolution of oxygen in the water. The loss of aquatic biodiversity due to the preceding pollution effects has prevented the population from benefiting from the wide ranging benefits that the aquatic life provided. The persistent pollution has in some instances culminated in the extinction of certain important species that are native to the region. This has had adverse impacts on the quality of life of the population that depended heavily on the respective species for their own survival.

The compelling urge of the populations to plant vegetation and keep animal that are foreign has led to the extinction of certain species. In his research, Jennings found out that a significant percentage of the population planted foreign trees, imported flowers, grasses and shrubs (Jennings 289). Compared to the native species, the foreign species require more water, fertilizer and chemicals to maintain. This has direct negative impacts on the quality of the aquatic environments. Also, the populations have increasingly adapted the trend of monoculture. For instance, a significant percentage of the lawns consist of grass only. This limits the range of biodiversity that exists in the region and to a great extent; it contributes to incidences of extinction of certain species.

In sum, I can not be disputed that urbanization has had detrimental environmental impacts on the Doan Brook watershed in Cleveland. Besides leading to pollution, it has culminated in the destruction of important vegetation cover. Moreover, it has led to loss and in extreme cases extinction of important biological species. As t has come out from the preceding analysis, the destruction of habitats has also made it difficult for both flora and fauna to survive. Most importantly, the development of impervious surfaces has culminated in incidences of flooding that have further destroyed important habitats.

Works Cited

Betsy Yingling. Watershed Strategies to Reduce Flooding in the Doan Brook Watershed. Water Environment Federation, 1.1 (2002): 1935-1942. Print.

Jennings, Aaron. Modeling Sedimentation and Scour in Small Urban Lakes. Environmental Modeling and Software, 18.3 (2003): 281-291. Print.

Kellogg Wendy. Nature’s Neighborhood: Urban Environmental History and Neighborhood Planning. Journal of the American Planning Association, 68.4 (2002): 356. Print.

Nacht Steve. Flooding Problems in a Small Urban Watershed- Doan Brook, Cleveland, Ohio. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 16.3 (1980): 401-407. Print.

Tina Wolff, Benton Steven, Cheung, Phillip and Betsy Yingling. Integrating Collection System and Wastewater Treatment Plant Hydraulic Modeling for Wet Weather Control. Water Environment Federation, 1.1. (2002): 316-333. Print.

Zielinski Jennifer, Jennings Aaron and Gardner Kevin. Evaluation of Management Strategies for the Doan Brook Urban Watershed. Water Resources and Urban Environment, 1.1 (1998): 410-415. Print.