Assessing the effects of forest biomass reductions on forest health and streamflow

Forest biomass reductions in overgrown forests have the potential to provide hydrologic benefits form of improved forest health and increased streamflow production water-limited systems. Biomass may also alter evaporation. These changes are generated when water that previously would been transpired or evaporated from canopy removed vegetation is transferred transpiration remaining vegetation, streamflow, and/or non-canopy In this study, we combined a new vegetation-change water-balance approach with lumped modelling outputs examine effects on California's Sierra Nevada. We found average, 102 mm 263 (8.0% 20.6% mean annual precipitation [MAP]) were made available following 20% 50% biomass-reduction scenarios, respectively. This was then partitioned both forest, but varying degrees depending post-biomass-reduction levels intensity. During dry periods, most (approximately 200 [15.7% MAP] for scenario) trees, while less than 50 (3.9% MAP) streamflow. increase during periods likely help trees maintain productivity resistance drought. wet shifted (200 MAP]) away (less 150 [11.8% as became stressed. per unit reduction intensity, whereas decreased. By accounting balance developed study provided an assessment watershed-scale associated reductions.