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10,000 years of hydrologic variability in Maine (and North Dakota). George L. Jacobson Maine SC 12 July 2012 AASC Sandestin , FL. Northern Appalachian/Acadian Ecoregion includes extensive topographic, climatic, and geologic variability. Plant-hardiness zones reveal the same tight gradient.
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10,000 years of hydrologic variability in Maine(and North Dakota) George L. Jacobson Maine SC 12 July 2012 AASC Sandestin, FL
Northern Appalachian/Acadian Ecoregion includes extensive topographic, climatic, and geologic variability
Climate Change Institute(formerly Institute for Quaternary and Climate Studies)The University of MaineOrono, ME • Climatology/Paleoclimatology • Historic climatology • Terrestrial paleoecology • Paleolimnology • Prehistoric archaeology • Glacial geology and glaciology • Atmospheric chemistry (incl. ice cores) • Geochemistry • Maine State Climatologist (GLJ) 40th Anniversary in 2012
Climate Change InstituteThe University of Maine Central question: What is the natural variability of the earth’s climate, and what are the underlying mechanisms?
Spring runoff has moved earlier by nearly a month since 1952
Changes in annual flow cycles vary N-S in New England Krista Ricupero (MS Thesis, University of Maine, 2009); S. Jain advisor.
Atlantic Salmon presence in Maine rivers depends on water conditions (hence climate) wet Atlantic salmon present in rivers dry
Early-Holocene insolation (precession-cycle) produced warm, dry conditions with many fires in Maine. wet dry
Lake levels Peat chem.
Kettle Lake, near Williston, North Dakota10,000 years of climate, showing moisture variationsblue = moistgreen = intermediatered & orange = dry Eric C. Grimm et al. (2011) Quaternary Science Reviews 30:2626-2650.
Peak Flows on Mousam River Courtesy of Robert Lent, USGS, Augusta, ME