Approach
EASTERN:
Projected changes in precipitation and temperature are expected to alter hydrologic regimes through changes in streamflow, snowpack, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, surface runoff, infiltration, flooding, and drought (Jones 2011). Hydrologic changes could occur gradually or rapidly through extreme events. Some ecosystems are very susceptible to stress from drought, which may increase in frequency, severity, duration, or extent as a result of changing precipitation patterns. Other ecosystems are susceptible to flooding and ponding. Maintaining sufficient water levels and flow patterns is critical to ecosystem function. Hydrology can be altered by infrastructure (e.g., dams, roads, and other impervious surfaces), excessive groundwater extraction, stream channelization, and even invasive plants (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 2006). Existing infrastructure that diverts water, or otherwise alters hydrology, may need to be reevaluated to compensate for changes in water levels or flows (Brandt et al. 2012, Furniss et al. 2010, Galatowitsch et al. 2009). Infrastructure will also need to be designed to accommodate greater hydrologic extremes in the future. It is important to keep in mind that modifications to maintain hydrology at one site may have negative impacts on hydrology at another site (1).
WESTERN:
Projected changes in precipitation and temperature are expected to alter hydrologic regimes through changes in snowpack, streamflow, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, surface runoff, infiltration, flooding, and drought (Jones 2011, Bresehars et al. 2013, Allen et al. 2015, Diffenbaugh et al. 2015, Ficklin and Novick 2017, Bedsworth 2018, Gleason et al. 2019). Hydrologic changes could occur gradually or rapidly through extreme events. Some ecosystems are very susceptible to stress from drought, which is increasing in frequency, severity, duration, and geographical extent as a result of these changes in the hydrologic cycle and the effects of human water uses, such as irrigation (Van Loon et al. 2016, Crausbay et al. 2017). Other ecosystems are susceptible to flooding, ponding, or high-water tables as storm intensities increase. Maintaining sufficient water levels and flow patterns is critical to ecosystem function, and the survival of fish and other aquatic species (Roper et al. 2018). Hydrology can be altered by infrastructure (e.g., dams, roads, and other impervious surfaces), excessive groundwater extraction, soil compaction, stream channelization, and even invasive plants (Kondolf and Batalla 2005, Bales et al. 2006, Crausbay et al. 2017). Existing infrastructure that diverts water, or otherwise alters hydrology, may need to be reevaluated to compensate for changes in water levels or flows (Galatowitsch et al. 2009, Furniss et al. 2010, Brandt et al. 2012, Bedsworth et al. 2018). Infrastructure will also need to be designed to accommodate greater hydrologic extremes in the future. It is important to keep in mind that modifications to maintain hydrology at one site may have negative impacts on hydrology at another site. In places where hydrology has been altered by agricultural land uses, restoration actions can include managing the impacts of cattle and other grazers on streams, and using structures or berms to slow water flow and moderate the impacts of soil compaction and river channelization (Pollock et al. 2014, Silverman et al. 2019) (2).
Projected changes in precipitation and temperature are expected to alter hydrologic regimes through changes in streamflow, snowpack, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, surface runoff, infiltration, flooding, and drought (Jones 2011). Hydrologic changes could occur gradually or rapidly through extreme events. Some ecosystems are very susceptible to stress from drought, which may increase in frequency, severity, duration, or extent as a result of changing precipitation patterns. Other ecosystems are susceptible to flooding and ponding. Maintaining sufficient water levels and flow patterns is critical to ecosystem function. Hydrology can be altered by infrastructure (e.g., dams, roads, and other impervious surfaces), excessive groundwater extraction, stream channelization, and even invasive plants (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 2006). Existing infrastructure that diverts water, or otherwise alters hydrology, may need to be reevaluated to compensate for changes in water levels or flows (Brandt et al. 2012, Furniss et al. 2010, Galatowitsch et al. 2009). Infrastructure will also need to be designed to accommodate greater hydrologic extremes in the future. It is important to keep in mind that modifications to maintain hydrology at one site may have negative impacts on hydrology at another site (1).
WESTERN:
Projected changes in precipitation and temperature are expected to alter hydrologic regimes through changes in snowpack, streamflow, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, surface runoff, infiltration, flooding, and drought (Jones 2011, Bresehars et al. 2013, Allen et al. 2015, Diffenbaugh et al. 2015, Ficklin and Novick 2017, Bedsworth 2018, Gleason et al. 2019). Hydrologic changes could occur gradually or rapidly through extreme events. Some ecosystems are very susceptible to stress from drought, which is increasing in frequency, severity, duration, and geographical extent as a result of these changes in the hydrologic cycle and the effects of human water uses, such as irrigation (Van Loon et al. 2016, Crausbay et al. 2017). Other ecosystems are susceptible to flooding, ponding, or high-water tables as storm intensities increase. Maintaining sufficient water levels and flow patterns is critical to ecosystem function, and the survival of fish and other aquatic species (Roper et al. 2018). Hydrology can be altered by infrastructure (e.g., dams, roads, and other impervious surfaces), excessive groundwater extraction, soil compaction, stream channelization, and even invasive plants (Kondolf and Batalla 2005, Bales et al. 2006, Crausbay et al. 2017). Existing infrastructure that diverts water, or otherwise alters hydrology, may need to be reevaluated to compensate for changes in water levels or flows (Galatowitsch et al. 2009, Furniss et al. 2010, Brandt et al. 2012, Bedsworth et al. 2018). Infrastructure will also need to be designed to accommodate greater hydrologic extremes in the future. It is important to keep in mind that modifications to maintain hydrology at one site may have negative impacts on hydrology at another site. In places where hydrology has been altered by agricultural land uses, restoration actions can include managing the impacts of cattle and other grazers on streams, and using structures or berms to slow water flow and moderate the impacts of soil compaction and river channelization (Pollock et al. 2014, Silverman et al. 2019) (2).
Tactics
- Upgrading culvert size and cleaning culverts regularly to accommodate changes in peak flow and thus reduce damage to infrastructure and the environment during heavy rain events. This example may also incorporate ecologically based stream crossing...(1)
- Reducing or eliminating agricultural drainage improvements near wetlands. (1)
- Reducing groundwater withdrawals in recharge areas of calcareous fens. (1)
- Removing or modifying dams, especially as they become defunct, and if they have little hydroelectric or irrigation value. (1,2)
- Decommissioning or temporarily closing roads to reduce erosion and sedimentation and to restore permeability and soil hydrology. Restoration following decommissioning may include such techniques as re-contouring, revegetation, and passive restoration..(2)
- Modifying aboveground forest structure to increase snow accumulation and or delay or extend melt off period, thereby promoting increased infiltration and soil moisture retention. (2)
- Restoring and maintaining the hydrology of wetland ecosystems, including fens and wet meadows. (2)
- Installing berms, dikes, or structures similar to beaver dams to divert surface water to a lowland area affected by decreased precipitation, or to restore permeability & seasonal flooding that was lost due to soil compaction or stream channelization. (2)
Strategy Text
Climate change will have substantial effects on a suite of ecosystem functions, such as carbon storage, nutrient cycling, wildlife habitat, hydroelectric generation and water provisioning. As a result, many management actions will need to work both directly and indirectly to maintain the integrity of ecosystems in the face of climate change. This strategy seeks to sustain fundamental ecological functions, especially
those related to soil and hydrologic conditions (2).
those related to soil and hydrologic conditions (2).
Citation
1. Swanston, C.W.; Janowiak, M.K.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler, P.R.; Handler, S.D.; Shannon, P.D.; Derby Lewis, A.; Hall, K.; Fahey, R.T.; Scott, L.; Kerber, A.; Miesbauer, J.W.; Darling, L.; 2016. Forest Adaptation Resources: climate change tools and approaches for land managers, 2nd ed. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station. 161 p. http://dx.doi.org/10.2737/NRS-GTR-87-2
2. Swanston, C.W.; Brandt, L.A.; Butler-Leopold, P.R.; Hall, K.R.; Handler, S.D.; Janowiak, M.K.; Merriam, K.; Meyer,
M.; Molinari, N.; Schmitt, K.M.; Shannon, P.D.; Smith, J.B.; Wuenschel, A.; Ostoja, S.M 2020. Adaptation Strategies
and Approaches for California Forest Ecosystems. USDA California Climate Hub Technical Report CACH-2020-1.
Davis, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Climate Hubs. 65 p.
M.; Molinari, N.; Schmitt, K.M.; Shannon, P.D.; Smith, J.B.; Wuenschel, A.; Ostoja, S.M 2020. Adaptation Strategies
and Approaches for California Forest Ecosystems. USDA California Climate Hub Technical Report CACH-2020-1.
Davis, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Climate Hubs. 65 p.