SOILWAT: A Mechanistic Ecohydrological Model for Ecosystem Classification and Prediction
Presenter(s)
Caitlin M. Andrews
Abstract
Ecosystem water balance modeling is an approach to translating the temporal dynamics of climate into spatial metrics of water availability more closely linked to vegetation dynamics. Water balance models incorporate the effects of climate, soil, and vegetation structure into estimates of soil water availability through time, providing measures of when and where water is available. Understanding the timing and structure of water availability is not only important to discern the patterns that drive ecosystem distribution on the landscape, but also for monitoring and predicting changes to these ecosystems. This is particularly important as climate change models forecast a hotter climate, with variable precipitation, that will likely intensify periods of ecological drought, impacting ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
SOILWAT is a daily time-step, multiple soil layer, process-based, simulation model of ecosystem water balance that has been validated in several dryland ecosystems. SOILWAT is distinct for its fine resolution at both a temporal and spatial scale, allowing researchers to inspect the impact of discrete precipitation events, as well as the heterogeneity of soils, on vegetation dynamics. Results of this model are being utilized in a variety of ongoing research projects focused on defining the ecohydrology of different systems. Additional research includes inspecting the hydrological conditions best for restoration, assessing the role of competition for water in governing the success of invasive species, and evaluating the impact of different forest densities on drought resistance.
Topic
Ecosystems
Start Date
6-17-2016 1:15 PM
End Date
6-17-2016 1:35 PM
Room
High Country Conference Center
Recommended Citation
Andrews, Caitlin M. and Bradford, John B., "SOILWAT: A Mechanistic Ecohydrological Model for Ecosystem Classification and Prediction" (2016). World Conference on Natural Resource Modeling. 8.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/rma/all/presentations/8
SOILWAT: A Mechanistic Ecohydrological Model for Ecosystem Classification and Prediction
High Country Conference Center
Ecosystem water balance modeling is an approach to translating the temporal dynamics of climate into spatial metrics of water availability more closely linked to vegetation dynamics. Water balance models incorporate the effects of climate, soil, and vegetation structure into estimates of soil water availability through time, providing measures of when and where water is available. Understanding the timing and structure of water availability is not only important to discern the patterns that drive ecosystem distribution on the landscape, but also for monitoring and predicting changes to these ecosystems. This is particularly important as climate change models forecast a hotter climate, with variable precipitation, that will likely intensify periods of ecological drought, impacting ecosystems and the communities that rely on them.
SOILWAT is a daily time-step, multiple soil layer, process-based, simulation model of ecosystem water balance that has been validated in several dryland ecosystems. SOILWAT is distinct for its fine resolution at both a temporal and spatial scale, allowing researchers to inspect the impact of discrete precipitation events, as well as the heterogeneity of soils, on vegetation dynamics. Results of this model are being utilized in a variety of ongoing research projects focused on defining the ecohydrology of different systems. Additional research includes inspecting the hydrological conditions best for restoration, assessing the role of competition for water in governing the success of invasive species, and evaluating the impact of different forest densities on drought resistance.