Watersheds + climate change

Climate change will not affect all parts of a watershed in the same way. The local response and vulnerability of a watershed to regional climate changes will be influenced by soils, topography, forest management, and current and past land uses. Warmer temperatures and variable precipitation will have direct impacts on the water budget and the hydrology of forested watersheds; affecting the timing, distribution and seasonal availability of precipitation.

Danielle Shannon of the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) and Michigan Tech University describes climate-informed tools land managers can use to customize climate adaptation tactics appropriate to site conditions and property goals and values. Find more information and climate adaptation tools at https://forestadaptation.org/water