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CUAHSI Science Plan. Hydrology of a Dynamic Earth March 2007. Science Goals. Linking the hydrosphere and the biosphere Ecohydrology – water in the landscape Upscaling hydrologic, biogeochemical and geomorphic processes Lab, field experiment, regional application
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CUAHSI Science Plan Hydrology of a Dynamic Earth March 2007
Science Goals • Linking the hydrosphere and the biosphere • Ecohydrology – water in the landscape • Upscaling hydrologic, biogeochemical and geomorphic processes • Lab, field experiment, regional application • Predicting the effects of climate change and human development on water resources
Hydrologic Prediction • A fundamental goal of hydrologic science is to be able to predict the response of water and the entire shallow earth system to human and climate perturbations with a level of confidence approaching those now possible for atmospheric and ocean systems, despite the heterogeneous nature of the continental environment
Continental water dynamics describes the dynamic interaction of water with climate, landscape, ecosystems and humans (p.7) Contrasting complexity of ocean water dynamics and continental water dynamics (p.8) Continental water dynamics
Hydrologic Science • Hydrologic science studies the occurrence, distribution, circulation and properties of water, and its interaction with a wide range of physical, chemical and biological processes, acknowledging also the added complexity of social and behavioral sciences (NRC, 1991). (“Blue Book”)
Hydrologic Science It is as important to represent hydrologic environments precisely with data as it is to represent hydrologic processes with equations Physical laws and principles (Mass, momentum, energy, chemistry) Hydrologic Process Science (Equations, simulation models, prediction) Hydrologic conditions (Fluxes, flows, concentrations) Hydrologic Information Science (Observations, data models, visualization Hydrologic environment (Physical earth)
Image created from LIDAR data. Note excavation on right (orange and black outlines) caused by a landslide, and the resulting deposits downstream in the Eel river (outlined in blue). Eel River flow is from right to left. Image courtesy of William Dietrich, NCED Opportunities: LIDAR
Terrestrial Hydrologic Cycle (p.17) stores (areas generally of intense biologic activity) changing in time.
Benchmarking Current Understanding Surface water, climate, and groundwater monitoring sites in the US