Tag: Ecohydrology

Forests, Water, Climate, and Management

by Sarah Farmer, SRS Science Communications  • 
Across the globe, forests cover about a quarter of all land and are important sources of clean water. A new book, edited by U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) scientist Devendra Amatya, examines the interactions between forests, water, climate, and management. The book, Forest Hydrology: Processes, Management and Assessment, was recently published by the…  More 

Water Yields from Southern Appalachian Watersheds in Decline since the 1970s

by Zoё Hoyle, SRS Science Communications  • 
Where would we be without the water we get from cool mountain streams? In the densely populated southeastern U.S., forested watersheds are particularly important to drinking water supplies. Recent estimates show that southern forests deliver surface drinking water to some 48.7 million people, with streams from the mountainous Southern Appalachian region alone providing water supplies…  More 

How Sustainable are Eucalyptus Plantations?

by Ying Ouyang and Theodor D. Leininger, SRS Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research  • 
Eucalypts – woody plants originally found in Australia — have been identified as one of the best feedstocks for bioenergy production due to their fast-growth rate and coppicing ability, but there are concerns about adverse environmental effects, some related to water consumption, and their water use efficiency is still poorly understood. U.S. Forest Service research…  More 

How Drought Affects Forests and Streams

by Zoё Hoyle, SRS Science Communications  • 
Across the U.S., forested watersheds filter surface water that drains into the rivers that supply drinking water for many of the nation’s cities. Besides providing high quality water for humans needs, forest trees regulate streamflow, mitigate flooding, and help create and maintain the water conditions that support healthy aquatic ecosystems. Drought affects the ability of…  More 

The Future of Forest Watershed Research

by Zoe Hoyle, SRS Science Communications  • 
Featured Research Article:   Vose, J.; Sun, G.; Ford, C.; et al. 2011. Forest ecohydrological research in the 21st century: what are the critical needs? Ecohydrology 4(2):146-158. Ecohydrology involves understanding the interactions among vegetation, soils, and hydrologic processes at multiple scales. The article focuses on threats to the structure and function of forested watersheds—and to…  More