Evaluating cumulative effects of logging and potential climate change on dry-season flow in a coast redwood forest

Leslie M. Reid; Jack Lewis

Treesearch

Evaluating cumulative effects of logging and potential climate change on dry-season flow in a coast redwood forest

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Leslie M. Reid, Jack Lewis

Year:

2011

Type:

Other

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Proceedings of the Fourth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: Observing, studying, and managing for change. Fairbanks, AK, 26 Sept - 30 Sept 2011. US Geological Survey

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Abstract

Comparisons based on pretreatment calibrations between summer flows and antecedent precipitation indices (APIs) at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds show increased dry-season flow for 8 yr after selective logging, followed by at least 27 yr of depressed flow. In contrast, summer flow in a partially clearcut watershed remained higher than expected for 18 yr after logging. The API-based models were used to evaluate the effects of selected climate change scenarios when combined with logging-related hydrologic changes, with the effects assumed to act independently. Changes in rainfall late in the wet season have a disproportionate effect on dry-season flows, while autumn rains have little effect.

Keywords

logging, climate change, streamflow, forestry

Citation

Reid, L.M.; Lewis, J. 2011. Evaluating cumulative effects of logging and potential climate change on dry-season flow in a coast redwood forest. Proceedings of the Fourth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: Observing, studying, and managing for change. Fairbanks, AK, 26 Sept - 30 Sept 2011. US Geological Survey.