| ID |
2487 |
| Citation |
Picketts, I., Parkes, M. and Déry, S. J., 2017: Climate change and resource development impacts in watersheds: Insights from the Nechako River Basin, Canada, The Canadian Geographer, in press, doi: 10.1111/cag.12327. |
| Organization |
University of Northern British Columbia; Quest University |
| URL |
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cag.12327/abstract |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
Few studies to date examine the cumulative effects of climate change and resource development on social-ecological systems, such as watersheds. In partnership with a watershed alliance we endeavoured to understand the interplay of climate change and resource exploitation impacts in the Nechako River Basin, which drains an area of 52,000_km2 in northwestern Canada as part of the Fraser River Basin. Existing regional climatic studies show a clear warming trend over the last century and a projected mean temperature increase of _2°C for the 2050s. Watershed stakeholders determined that hydroelectric development and forestry activities interrelate particularly closely with climate impacts related to ecosystem function, water supply, and (resultantly) community well-being. Mining and oil and gas development do not currently represent a high level of concern, but will become problematic with future resource exploitation or climatic changes. The process was effective in grounding specific, day-to-day realities of climate change. The results illustrate the importance and challenge of considering both impact sources in tandem, and should inform ongoing regional planning and monitoring efforts. A major barrier to performing this type of assessment with regional stakeholders is communicating, cross-referencing, and visualizing the interrelationships between climate change and resource development, which are independently highly complex. |
| Information Type |
Article |
| Regional Watershed |
Nechako River |
| Sub-watershed if known |
|
| Aquifer # |
|
| Comments |
|
| Project status |
|
| Contact Name |
Ian Picketts |
| Contact Email |
[email protected] |
