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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
12:44
Watershed Planning within a Quantitative Scenario Analysis Framework
Published on: July 24, 2016
A framework for assessing climate change impacts on water and watershed systems
Thomas E Johnson1, Christopher P Weaver
1U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, USA. johnson.thomas@epa.gov
Environmental Management
|October 3, 2008
Summary
This study introduces a framework for assessing climate change impacts on water systems, emphasizing risk management over prediction. It highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex environmental challenges.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Climate Science
- Water Resource Management
Background:
- Climate change poses significant risks to water and watershed systems.
- Assessing these impacts is complicated by scale (spatial, temporal) and disciplinary linkages.
- Current modeling limitations necessitate a shift from prediction to risk management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel framework for assessing climate change impacts on water and watershed systems.
- To support informed management decision-making in the face of climate uncertainty.
- To integrate ecological risk assessment principles into climate impact analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed a framework addressing cross-scale and cross-disciplinary linkages.
- Employed a risk assessment and management approach due to modeling limitations.
- Incorporated principles from ecological risk assessment.
- Conducted a case study on water quality in a mid-Atlantic watershed.
Main Results:
- The framework effectively integrates spatial, temporal, and disciplinary considerations.
- A risk-based approach provides a practical method for climate change assessment.
- The case study demonstrated the framework's utility in evaluating water quality impacts.
- Close collaboration between scientists and managers is crucial for effective implementation.
Conclusions:
- The proposed framework offers a robust approach to managing climate change impacts on water resources.
- Adopting a risk management perspective is essential for adaptive water system governance.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to successful climate change adaptation strategies in watersheds.
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