Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change, Urbanization, and Filter Strips on Water Quality Using SWAT

摘要: Precipitation changes and urban growth are two factors altering the state of water quality. Changes in precipitation will alter amount timing flows, corresponding sediment nutrient dynamics. Meanwhile, densification associated with create more impervious surfaces which loadings. Land managers rely on models to develop possible future scenarios devise management responses these projected changes. We use Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) assess potential stream flow, sediment, loads urbanizing watersheds Northwest Oregon, USA. evaluate spatial patterns climate change have water, yields. identify critical source areas (CSAs) for each basin investigate how implementation vegetative filter strips (VFS) could ameliorate effects Our findings suggest that: 1) yield is tightly coupled precipitation. 2) Large increases wintertime provide enough sub-surface storage increase summertime yields despite a moderate decrease summer 3) Expansion surface runoff has mixed nutrients. 4) Implementation VFS reduces pollutant helping overall watershed health. This research demonstrates usefulness SWAT facilitating informed land decisions.