Hydro-ecological modeling and landscape analysis for high-altitude wetland classification and assessment of climate change impacts on high-altitude wetlands across environmental and elevational gradients

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Although the critical role of wetlands in the hydrological cycle is recognized, only a few studies were published focusing on process dynamics controlling wetland hydrology in high-altitude environments. The climate change induced evidence of melting glaciers, changing rainfall pattern and increasing evapotranspiration indicate alterations of wetland dynamics in alpine systems, but little knowledge is given on resulting impacts on the hydrological dynamics of wetlands, nor implications for their respective catchments. Integrating landscape analysis and process-oriented hydrological modeling, the main goals of the proposed research study are to better understand 1) the hydro-ecological functioning of highaltitude wetlands and its implications for wetland classification, 2) scale-related relevance of wetland process dynamics in high-altitude catchment modeling and 3) impacts of climate change on the hydrological dynamic of identified wetland types across environmental and elevational gradients. The study will be carried out in two river basins located in the Sierra Nevada, USA, utilizing the scientific expertise and the excellent data base at the hosting institute (MHRG, Seattle). For modeling, the JAMS/J2000 model suite will be adapted to high-altitude conditions, which then will be tested in further study areas.