Improving global flood and drought predictions: integrating non-floodplain wetlands into watershed hydrologic models
Citation:
Golden, H., C. Lane, A. Rajib, AND Q. Wu. Improving global flood and drought predictions: integrating non-floodplain wetlands into watershed hydrologic models. Environmental Research Letters. IOP Publishing LIMITED, Bristol, Uk, 16(9):091002, (2021). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac1fbc
Impact/Purpose:
Non-floodplain wetlands are nonstructural solutions for flood-risk mitigation - this manuscript offers a brief state of the science summary.
Description:
The world's climate is changing rapidly. Projecting the extent of flood and droughts in response to a changing climate requires robust hydrologic models. These models must consider not only in-stream hydraulics but also watershed hydrologic processes—such as changes in soil and surface water storage, evapotranspiration, groundwater recharge, and runoff in the landscape draining to streams and rivers. We provide evidence herein and propose a re-envisioning and redevelopment of conventional watershed-scale hydrologic models to specifically incorporate non-floodplain wetland hydrology and hydraulics—including surface storage volumes, water residence times, and drainage areas.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Improving global flood and drought predictions: integrating non-floodplain wetlands into watershed hydrologic models