Assessing the impacts of future climates and fire on hydrologic regimes in the Mediterranean-type ecosystems of southern California

The Mediterranean climate region of southern and coastal California is a globally
recognized biodiversity hotspot, in addition its natural landscapes provide a suite of ecosystem
services including water provision to the high density urban populations and agricultural lands in
close proximity. The provisioning of water is also critical to sustained ecological function,
including habitat for endangered species like the southern California steelhead. Given the
importance of water provisioning and other ecosystem services, there is surprisingly little known
regarding their vulnerability to future climates and increasing fire in southern California.
This is particularly concerning given the predicted impacts of climate change and altered fire
regimes in southern California (Shaw et al., 2009, Keeley and Fotheringham, 2003). It is
essential for natural resource managers and water managers in these chaparral-dominated
systems to understand the spatial patterns of water provision services together with the
interacting threats of climate change and fire, as a necessary step for managing for their longterm
sustainability.

Project Objectives:
- Calibrate the Basin Characterization Model to Mediterranean type climate regions
- Assess the impact of fire on hydrological regimes and measuring post fire recovery
- Assess the impact of future climates on hydrological regimes
- Develop a management workflow and tool to assist in natural resource decision making