Comprehensive Synthesis of Forested Watershed Science and Climate Change Impacts: the Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia

Several years ago, a group of watershed scientists and field professionals gathered at UBC to discuss the idea of a provincially relevant summary of hydrology, geomorphology, and watershed management science. Their main objectives were to bridge sometimes disparate views with an integrated understanding of forest hydrology and geomorphology and to create a “go-to” BC reference. Through this meeting, the Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology was born.

The Compendium is a two volume, land management handbook that consolidates current knowledge and operational experience of forest hydrology, geomorphology and climate science into 19 peer-reviewed chapters. Topics in the Compendium include: history of forest hydrology; regional hydrology; weather and climate; physiography; forest hydrology processes; hillslope, karst and fluvial geomorphology; forest disturbance effects on watershed processes; watershed measurement methods; water quality; salmonid ecology; riparian ecology and management; watershed restoration; and the effects of climate change on watershed processes.

The Team:

The Compendium project was initiated and managed by FORREX. It was created largely through partnerships among the BC forest hydrology community being co-lead by Robin Pike (now with BC Ministry of Environment) and Todd Redding (now with Okanagan College). With 67 volunteer authors and 84 peer reviewers from across BC, Canada, the United States, and around the world, the Compendium embodies the spirit of partnerships—strengthening connections among colleagues, agencies, and disciplines.

Key Features:

•synthesis of the current state of knowledge

•promotes an integrated understanding of forest hydrology, geomorphology, aquatic habitat processes and management issues

•focused on principles and techniques

•focused on British Columbia

Published jointly by the Province of British Columbia and FORREX in December 2010, the Compendium is freely available from: or via hardcopy for a fee at:

Table of Contents:

Preface

Acknowledgements

Part 1: Regional Context of British Columbia

Chapter 1: Forest Hydrology in British Columbia: Context and History
Chapter 2: Physiography of British Columbia
Chapter 3: Weather and Climate

Chapter 4: Regional Hydrology
Chapter 5: Forest Practices

Part 2: Watershed Hydrology

Chapter 6: Hydrologic Processes and Watershed Responses
Chapter 7: The Effects of Forest Disturbance on Hydrologic Processes and Watershed Response

Part 3: Watershed Geomorphology

Chapter 8: Hillslope Processes
Chapter 9: Forest Management Effects on Hillslope Processes

Chapter 10: Channel Geomorphology: Fluvial Forms, Processes, and Forest Management Effects
Chapter 11: Karst Geomorphology, Hydrology, and Management

Part 4: Water Quality, Stream and Riparian Ecology

Chapter 12: Water Quality and Forest Management

Chapter 13: Stream and Riparian Ecology
Chapter 14: Salmonid Ecology and the Hydrologic and Geomorphic Features of British Columbia Streams
Chapter 15: Riparian Management and Effects on Function

Part 5: Watershed Management Decision Support

Chapter 16: Detecting and Predicting Changes in Watersheds
Chapter 17: Watershed Measurement Methods and Data Limitations
Chapter 18: Stream, Riparian, and Watershed Restoration
Chapter 19: Climate Change Effects on Watershed Processes in BC

Appendix 1:Glossary of Hydrologic and Geomorphic Terms
Appendix 2:Acronyms, Initialisms, and Symbols
Appendix 3:Watershed Data and Information Resources
Index

With respect to climate science; Chapter 3 provides an extensive description of British Columbia’s weather, climate, trends and projected future changes. It is an excellent reference on the state of knowledge. Chapter 19 focuses specifically on climate change effects on watershed processes in British Columbia. We believe it is the most comprehensive review for British Columbia published to date.

At over 800 pages, the Compendium showcases the rich history of forest hydrology research and practice in British Columbia, and sets a foundation for the future by showing us how much more we have yet to learn.

Contact:

Robin Pike
BC Ministry Environment
/ Todd Redding
Okanagan College