Stream temperature monitoring and modeling: Recent advances and new tools for managers

Abstract

Stream thermal regimes are important within regulatory contexts, strongly affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, and are a primary determinant of habitat suitability for many sensitive species. The diverse landscapes and topographies inherent to National Forests and Grasslands create mosaics of stream thermal conditions that are intermingled with strong gradients from headwaters to lowlands. Alteration of these thermal regimes has traditionally been associated with anthropogenic effects on stream flows and riparian shade or natural disturbances related to wildfires and debris flows. Climate change could exacerbate many of these factors, but is also expected to cause warming through global air temperature increases. This report describes the current state of affairs with regards to stream temperature research, a variety of new tools for managers, and outlines a vision for future stream temperature work that could ultimately expand to provide fundamentally improved spatial data for many stream attributes.

Citation

Isaak, Daniel J. 2011. Stream temperature monitoring and modeling: Recent advances and new tools for managers. Stream Notes. July 2011. 7 p.