Environmental change, catchment hydrology and the stream environment

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Both changes in land cover and climatic conditions can have fundamental influences on the timing and magnitude of streamflow and water quality, thus influencing water resource availability and aquatic species including fish. The long-term objective of my research program is to increase our understanding of, and ability to predict, the interacting effects of climate variability and change, forest dynamics and glacier response on streamflow and aquatic habitat, particularly stream temperature. Field research and computer modelling studies will be carried out to improve our understanding of the influence of forest harvesting on streamflow, particularly during rain-on-snow events, which can generate extreme peak streamflows and landslides. It will also examine the patterns of stream temperature in a forested catchment, particularly the short and long-term influences of forest harvesting with different streamside management approaches and the influences of small lakes. The research will particularly focus on winter stream temperatures, which are important controls on the within-gravel development of species such as Coho salmon. Research will also document the effects of ongoing glacier retreat on streamflow and stream temperature in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. The research will be valuable for fisheries managers in relation to understanding the potential effects of climate change on species like Coho salmon and cutthroat trout, which occupy small coastal streams for part or all of their life cycle. The results would also be valuable in designing forest management strategies that minimize impacts on aquatic systems.