Maintaining flows and quality of water resources is critical to support ecosystem
services and consumptive needs. Understanding impacts of changes in climate and land use on ecohydrologic processes in a watershed is vital to sustaining water resources for multiple uses. This study completes a continental and regional scale assessment using statistical and simulation modeling to investigate ecohydrologic impacts within
watershed systems.
Watersheds across the continental United States have diverse hydrogeomorphic
characters, mean temperatures, soil moistures, precipitation and evaporation patterns that influence runoff processes. Changes in climate affect runoff by impacting available soil moisture, evaporation, precipitation and vegetative patterns.
Continental scale runoff is affected by soil moisture and vegetative cover. Cover
crops, low tillage farm practices and natural vegetation contribute to less runoff.
Developing policies that encourage protection of soil structure could minimize runoff and aid in maintaining sustainable water resources. Best Management Practices and Low impact development at the national level with continued stormwater legislation directed towards sustainable land use policy will improve water quantity and quality.