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Who are we?The Murphy Watershed Sciences Lab is a research group led by Dr. Brendan Murphy, an Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental Science at Simon Fraser University.
Our work combines principles and techniques from geomorphology, hydrology, and ecology to improve our understanding of how variability and disturbances in natural and anthropogenic processes influence watersheds and their natural resources. Explore our webpage and learn more about the people, science, and potential research opportunities in our group. |
Featured Science & Latest NewsHow does grain size influence the magnitude, timing, and persistence of streambed changes following headwater sediment inputs? This recently published study, led by PhD candidate Muneer Ahammad, investigated the influence of episodic sediment inputs, such as from debris flows, in the Nisqually River of Washington, USA. Using an advanced sediment routing model, we found that sediment pulses with a mixture of grain sizes that are generally smaller than those of the riverbed will promote the mobilization of riverbed sediment when compared to pulses with uniform grain sizes. Additionally, pulses with intermediate grain sizes will have the largest downstream impacts, as finer sizes transport through the watershed too quickly and coarser sizes disperse too slowly to effect change. Find the full research article here: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JF006194 |
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Active Research Topics
WildfireHydrogeomorphic processes & responses in burned watersheds. |
Bedrock RiversWeathering & erosional processes driving the evolution of bedrock rivers. |
EcoGeomorphologyPhysical habitat disturbance, population dynamics, and ecological resilience. |
Our MissionExpand fundamental knowledge about the integrated physical, biological and human influences on watersheds, as well as improve predictions of watershed responses to environmental disturbances. |
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