Effects of forest disturbance on snow mass and energy balance in headwater regions

由于干旱、虫害、野火和疾病，北美西部的森林正在死亡。由此产生的水文影响在以融雪为主的水源盆地尤为显著，在那里，森林调节着雪-大气的相互作用。这些流域的径流可以为下游的农业、居民和工业用户提供80%以上的供水。融雪在半干旱地区尤其重要，如阿尔伯塔西南部和美国西南部，那里储存的春季融水在干燥的夏季增加了供水。干扰后森林结构的变化会影响积雪的积累和消融，对下游水文产生连锁效应。

Forests across western North America are dying as a result of drought, insect infestation, wildfire and disease. The resulting hydrologic impacts are particularly significant in snowmelt dominated headwater basins, where forests mediate snow-atmosphere interactions. Runoff from these watersheds can provide more than 80% of water supply for downstream agricultural, residential and industrial users. Snowmelt is particularly critical in semi-arid regions, such as southwestern Alberta and the southwestern US, where stored spring meltwater augments water supply during the dry summer season. Changing forest structure following disturbance affects snow accumulation and ablation, with cascading effects on downstream hydrology.