Hydrologic effects of a changing forested landscape—challenges for the hydrological sciences

Abstract

Forests are essential for water suppliesForests account for 33% of land area, process nearly two-thirds of the fresh water supply, and provide water to about 180 million people in the United States. However, few forests are managed primarily for water; instead water quantity and quality are byproducts of other forest management objectives, such as timber production, recreation,

Biophysical limits to responses of water flux to vapor pressure deficit in seven tree species with contrasting land use regimes

“…Quantifying the effects of land use changes on tree transpiration is constrained by various logistical issues, thus, requiring the cooperation between hydrologists and plant physiologists (Jones et al, 2009). The present study utilized three research plots with contrasting species, tree age, and forest management, which provided an opportunity to study the mechanism of tree transpiration in response to D.…”

Advances in Forest Hydrology: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Sound science is needed to support wise decisions and appropriate responses to contentious water policy issues (SFRP, 2011). Jones et al (2009) concluded that forest hydrology, the study of how water flows and recycles through forests, can help illuminate connections between forests and water, but it must advance to address current complex issues, including climate change, wildfires, changing patterns of development and ownership, and changing societal values. The authors also emphasized a need to address forest hydrology as a landscape hydrology that embraces the interactive effects of various land-based activities on water supplies.…”

“…Forests cover about one-third of the U.S. (Sedell et al, 2000;Jones et al, 2009), totaling about 300 million ha and making up about 7% of the world's forestland area (USDA, 2001). There are many different types of forests in the U.S., stretching from the subtropical forests in south Florida to boreal forests of Alaska, and from the deciduous and mixed forests of the eastern U.S. to the conifer-dominated forests of the west.…”

“…U.S. forests are the single largest producer of industrial timber in the world (Prestemon and Abt, 2002). Furthermore, about two-thirds of the nation's scarce freshwater resources originate on forested lands (Jones et al, 2009). Maintaining their functional integrity is fundamental to the sustainability of ecosystems and societies alike.…”

“…Much of our agricultural land base originates from historically forested lands (Amatya et al, 2009), which have experienced dramatic declines, as well as periods of resurgence, over the past century, including in the south (U.S. Forest Service, 2011 set asides have decreased the industrial forest base for timber production, leading in some instances to more intensive silvicultural practices on the remaining forest land. Through time, the land use, hydrology, and ecosystem products and services of this mosaic have been modified to an extent that may jeopardize long-term sustainability.Forests cover about one-third of the U.S. (Sedell et al, 2000;Jones et al, 2009), totaling about 300 million ha and making up about 7% of the world's forestland area (USDA, 2001). There are many different types of forests in the U.S., stretching from the subtropical forests in south Florida to boreal forests of Alaska, and from the deciduous and mixed forests of the eastern U.S. to the conifer-dominated forests of the west.…”