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Meadows across the Sierra, extending knowledge from CZO Martha Conklin & Ryan Lucas Environmental Systems. Picture of bear. Long Meadow, Sequoia National Park. precipitation. Meadow hydrology – fluxes . snowmelt. Research approach:
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Meadows across the Sierra, extending knowledge from CZO Martha Conklin & Ryan Lucas Environmental Systems Picture of bear Long Meadow, Sequoia National Park
precipitation Meadow hydrology – fluxes snowmelt Research approach: Improved predictions require better process understanding The basis for process understanding is new measurements Processes are coupled & best studied together gw recharge evapotranspiration gw discharge runoff shallow ground & surface water exchange Reservoirs: Snowpack storage Subsurface storage
precipitation Motivating questions snowmelt gw recharge Does meadow restoration significantly effect the water balance of a catchment? How will this landscape & the hydrologic processes connecting it alter w/ climate warming & land-use/landcoverchange? evapotranspiration gw discharge runoff shallow ground & surface water exchange
Seasonal drying - LM GW discharge GW recharge Center of the meadow (stream) exhibits GW discharge long after the edge switches to a recharge signal.
Future Work • Restored and pristine meadows have different hydrology than degraged meadows • More plants, higher evapotranspiration (ET) • Higher water table, GW discharge into late summer • Can not look at meadows by themselves, need to put in context of catchments • Specific meadow fluxes may be small in magnitude relative to the catchment water balance • Meadow condition (restored vs degraded) affects timing and mechanism of water loss from the catchment