Integrated modeling of long-term vegetation and hydrologic dynamics in Rocky Mountain watersheds

Abstract

Changes in forest structure resulting from natural disturbances, or managed treatments, can have negative and long lasting impacts on water resources. To facilitate integrated management of forest and water resources, a System for Long-Term Integrated Management Modeling (SLIMM) was developed. By combining two spatially explicit, continuous time models, vegetation patterns can be simulated forward in time based on management criteria. Output from the SIMPPLLE vegetation simulator are converted into landcover maps at every time-step and used to predict hydrologic watershed responses to time-series landcover change with the SWAT model. Long-term watershed responses to vegetation management scenarios can therefore be evaluated from both terrestrial and hydrologic perspectives.

Citation

Ahl, Robert Steven. 2007. Integrated modeling of long-term vegetation and hydrologic dynamics in Rocky Mountain watersheds. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. p. 244. Dissertation.