Pacific Southwest Research Station

Hydrologic Response of Sub-alpine Wetlands to Climate Change, Tahoe Basin

Full title: Hydrologic response of sub-alpine wetlands to climate change, Tahoe basin

Lead Researchers: Graham Fogg, University of California at Davis

Abstract

The proposed work will evaluate potential effects of climate change on the hydrologic regime that supports the occurrence and health of groundwater-sustained sub-alpine wetlands, also known as fens. A detailed study of two fens in distinctly different geomorphologic settings will be studied over two years. Field measurements will be used to evaluate the hydrologic flow system, including inflows and outflows such as evapotranspiration. A calibrated model that links surface water and groundwater interactions (GSFLOW) will be developed to help assess the potential impact of climate change on the hydrologic budget, water levels, and water available for fen vegetation. The sensitivity of the calibrated model to measurement errors made in the field will be addressed and incorporated into the assessment of the response to climate change. This proposal addresses subthemes 5a in the Request for Proposals. Since fens can be located in close proximity to rivers, lakes or ponds, they may be part of a single meadow or a meadow complex (Cooper and Wolf, 2006). As such, a better understanding of the groundwater flow system and hydrologic budgets in these environments will also provide useful information for stream and meadow restoration (subtheme 4a). The ability of large areas of riparian vegetation to reduce nutrient and sediment loads will also be addressed in part by this proposal (subtheme 2c).