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Characterizing the Connectivity and Cumulative Effects of Wetlands on Downstream Hydrology: A Modeling Analysis
Citation:
Golden, H., G. Evenson, C. Lane, AND E. D'Amico. Characterizing the Connectivity and Cumulative Effects of Wetlands on Downstream Hydrology: A Modeling Analysis. The 10th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, Changshu, CHINA, September 19 - 24, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
Geographically isolated wetlands (GIWs) are depressional landscape features entirely surrounded by uplands. While “GIW” may imply functional isolation from other surface waters, these systems exhibit a gradient of hydrologic, biological, and/or chemical connectivity. Models offer a practical approach towards estimating the hydrologic connectivity of GIWs to downstream surface waters. However, few hydrologic models exist that can explicitly quantify these connections. In this presentation, we discuss a variety of case studies that use existing and modified modeling approaches to quantify the cumulative hydrologic effects of GIWs at multiple watershed scales. We demonstrate that while GIW connections to downstream waters are not always visually evident, they may have substantial effects on downgradient baseflow and peak flow conditions. Further, these effects vary based upon the types of GIWs and their physiographic setting. Our findings have managment implications globally and in the United States, where GIWs are largely excluded from protection unless quantifiable proof of their hydrological, biological, or chemical connectivity to downstream waters exists.
Description:
Geographically isolated wetlands (GIWs) are depressional landscape features entirely surrounded by uplands. While “GIW” may imply functional isolation from other surface waters, these systems exhibit a gradient of hydrologic, biological, and/or chemical connectivity. Models offer a practical approach towards estimating the hydrologic connectivity of GIWs to downstream surface waters. However, few hydrologic models exist that can explicitly quantify these connections. In this presentation, we discuss a variety of case studies that use existing and modified modeling approaches to quantify the cumulative hydrologic effects of GIWs at multiple watershed scales. We demonstrate that while GIW connections to downstream waters are not always visually evident, they may have substantial effects on downgradient baseflow and peak flow conditions. Further, these effects vary based upon the types of GIWs and their physiographic setting. Our findings have managment implications globally and in the United States, where GIWs are largely excluded from protection unless quantifiable proof of their hydrological, biological, or chemical connectivity to downstream waters exists.
