Streamflow response to increasing precipitation extremes altered by forest management. Issue 8 (18th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kelly, Charlene N.; McGuire, Kevin J.; Miniat, Chelcy Ford; Vose, James M.
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 8(2016)
• Page Start: 3727
• Page End: 3736
• Publication Date: 2016-04-18
• Subjects: streamflow -- extreme precipitation -- forest management -- flow regime -- climate change; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL068058
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Increases in extreme precipitation events of floods and droughts are expected to occur worldwide. The increase in extreme events will result in changes in streamflow that are expected to affect water availability for human consumption and aquatic ecosystem function. We present an analysis that may greatly improve current streamflow models by quantifying the impact of the interaction between forest management and precipitation. We use daily long‐term data from paired watersheds that have undergone forest harvest or species conversion. We find that interactive effects of climate change, represented by changes in observed precipitation trends, and forest management regime, significantly alter expected streamflow most often during extreme events, ranging from a decrease of 59% to an increase of 40% in streamflow, depending upon management. Our results suggest that vegetation might be managed to compensate for hydrologic responses due to climate change to help mitigate effects of extreme changes in precipitation. Key Points: Streamflow is altered by increasing incidence of extreme precipitation events and forest land management We quantify changes in streamflow due to the interaction between forest management and precipitation Interaction between forest management and precipitation suggests alteration of streamflow at low and high flows