1 / 17

Adapting to a Changing Climate: A Watershed Perspective

Adapting to a Changing Climate: A Watershed Perspective. Climate Change Forum April 15, 2013 Paul Lehman Mississippi Valley Conservation. Adaptation. The science is clear. It shows us that climate change is an issue of today – not one of tomorrow

jadyn
Télécharger la présentation

Adapting to a Changing Climate: A Watershed Perspective

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Adapting to a Changing Climate:A Watershed Perspective Climate Change Forum April 15, 2013 Paul Lehman Mississippi Valley Conservation

  2. Adaptation • The science is clear. It shows us that climate change is an issue of today – not one of tomorrow • Climate change is an economic issue, a social issue, and an environmental issue • We reduce greenhouse gas emissions to address global causes, we adapt to address local consequences • Adaptation involves all levels of government, business, industry, community groups and individuals • Local leadership and action is critical

  3. City of Peterborough – July 2004 Fall River at Outlet of Sharbot Lake – August 2012

  4. MVC - Climate Change Adaptation Work • Water Resources, Fish and Fisheries: Sensitivities, Impacts and Adaptation to a Changing Climate - 2007 • Collaborative study with Queen’s University • Weathering the Change Public Information Workshops - 2007 • Climate Change Effects On Reservoir Operation Policies In The Mississippi Valley Watershed - 2011 • Partnership through Guelph University

  5. Risk Assessment • Preliminary analysis, problem definition/scoping • Quantify projected changes in precipitation and temperature • Model hydrologic response • Assess reservoir performance and capacity for satisfying constraints and objectives • Assess secondary impacts (fisheries/water quality)

  6. Water Resource Impact Assessment • A2 emissions scenario – CGCM II climate model downscaled to Mississippi R. watershed • temperature • precipitation • Four periods modeled • Base period 1974 – 2002 • Future periods (2010 – 2039, 2040 – 2069, 2070 – 2099)

  7. Mean Annual Flow Comparison Minimum Streamflow objective

  8. Existing Highly variable flows over fall/winter Potential risks: achieving summer recreation targets water supply targets shoreline damage unsafe ice conditions Implications

  9. Stream flow Reservoir target

  10. Stream flow Reservoir target

  11. Building Local Adaptation Capacity • Climate Change Information Workshops • Three meetings held in 2012 • Local municipalities and agencies • 2012 Drought Workshop – 2013 • Multiple speaking engagements • Engage local municipalities and agencies in collaborating on vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning • Uncertainty on how to proceed • Lack of political direction • Tie-in with municipal priorities

  12. Vulnerability Assessment • Discussions between MNR, MVC and RVCA to consider a pilot application of the “Practitioner’s Guide to Climate Change Adaptation in Ontario’s Ecosystems to Mississippi-Rideau area • Access to a suite of related information, research reports • Case history experience from the Lake Simcoe • and Clay Belt exercises • Assistance in designing a strategy • process tailored to Mississippi-Rideau • with improvements based on lessoned learned • A provincial and national network of experts, • researchers, climate scientists • Potential funding (unconfirmed)

  13. Mississippi – Rideau Watersheds

  14. Potential Vulnerability Themes for Mississippi – Rideau Watershed Area • Emergency Preparedness • Outdoor Recreation and Tourism • Hydrology/Water levels • Organizational Capacity • Wildlife • Forest Cover and Terrestrial Habitat • Water Power • Invasive Species • Species at Risk • Fisheries • Aquatic Habitat • Forest Fire/disturbance • Human Health • Others?

  15. Thank you • Mississippi Valley Conservation • http://www.mvc.on.ca/ • plehman@mvc.on.ca

More Related