TY - JOUR
T1 - Has urbanization changed ecological streamflow characteristics in Maine (USA)?
AU - Martin, Erik H.
AU - Kelleher, Christa
AU - Wagener, Thorsten
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2013 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2012/10
Y1 - 2012/10
N2 - This paper examines the potential effects of urbanization on streamflow in Maine, USA, from 1950 to 2000. The study contrasts nine watersheds in southern Maine, which has seen steady urban growth over the study period, with nine rural watersheds from northern Maine. Historical population data and current land cover data are used to develop an urbanization score for each watershed. Trends in watershed urbanization over the study period are compared to trends in ecologically relevant streamflow characteristics. The results indicate that trends in northern, rural watersheds are much more consistent than the trends in the southern watersheds. Additionally, trends in the southern watersheds are inconsistent with the hydrological characteristics observed in urban watersheds elsewhere, likely due to the comparatively low level of current urban development in Maine's urban watersheds. Our study suggests that urban areas in Maine have not yet reached an urbanization threshold where streamflow impacts become consistently detectable.Editor Z.W. KundzewiczCitation Martin, E.H., Kelleher, C., and Wagener, T., 2012. Has urbanization changed ecological streamflow characteristics in Maine (USA)? Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (7), 1337-1354.
AB - This paper examines the potential effects of urbanization on streamflow in Maine, USA, from 1950 to 2000. The study contrasts nine watersheds in southern Maine, which has seen steady urban growth over the study period, with nine rural watersheds from northern Maine. Historical population data and current land cover data are used to develop an urbanization score for each watershed. Trends in watershed urbanization over the study period are compared to trends in ecologically relevant streamflow characteristics. The results indicate that trends in northern, rural watersheds are much more consistent than the trends in the southern watersheds. Additionally, trends in the southern watersheds are inconsistent with the hydrological characteristics observed in urban watersheds elsewhere, likely due to the comparatively low level of current urban development in Maine's urban watersheds. Our study suggests that urban areas in Maine have not yet reached an urbanization threshold where streamflow impacts become consistently detectable.Editor Z.W. KundzewiczCitation Martin, E.H., Kelleher, C., and Wagener, T., 2012. Has urbanization changed ecological streamflow characteristics in Maine (USA)? Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (7), 1337-1354.
KW - Maine
KW - hydrology
KW - land cover
KW - land use
KW - streamflow
KW - urbanization
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U2 - 10.1080/02626667.2012.707318
DO - 10.1080/02626667.2012.707318
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84867281887
SN - 0262-6667
VL - 57
SP - 1337
EP - 1354
JO - Hydrological Sciences Journal
JF - Hydrological Sciences Journal
IS - 7
ER -