Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2021-175
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-2021-175
25 May 2021
 | 25 May 2021
Status: this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors.

A novel method for increasing water-yields, pine forests of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA 

Christy Ann Crandall, Joseph St. Peter, Paul Medley, Jason Drake, Jordan Vernon, Victor Ibeanusi, Charles Jagoe, and Gang Chen

Abstract. With a burgeoning world population that is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050, 30 % more than today, there is an urgent need to harness available water resources to support regions across the world. This study introduces a new method to identify, prioritize, and select areas for pine basal area reduction to maximize water yields in pine forests along the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA. The method, demonstrated in the Apalachicola Region of Northwest Florida, an area covered by dense vegetation and pine plantation forests, has experienced freshwater loss due to increased upstream water demand, climate change, and past forest management practices. Potential initial water-yield gains were: 1) 469 m3 d−1 if all pine basal areas were reduced from current to a maximum of 18 m2 ha−1, and 53,400 m3 d−1 if pine basal areas were reduced from current to a maximum of 7 m2 ha−1 for the Apalachicola Region. The method identifies watersheds mainly along the Apalachicola and other rivers and near the Gulf coast that have the greatest potential to increase water yields. Increasing forest water yields translates to increased freshwater availability and improved forest and soil health, water quality, and ecosystem function, services, and resilience, as well as socioeconomic outcomes for communities and people who rely on ecotourism and fisheries for their livelihoods. This method will empower forest managers to focus scarce resources in targeted areas to maximize water-resource benefits per resource investment. Although demonstrated in the Apalachicola Region, the method is easily transferable throughout other pine forests of the Northern Gulf Coast Region. This scientifically sound method is repeatable, scalable, and easily upgraded and adapted as newer, higher resolution datasets become available and relationships between forest metrics, evapotranspiration, and water yields are improved.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Christy Ann Crandall, Joseph St. Peter, Paul Medley, Jason Drake, Jordan Vernon, Victor Ibeanusi, Charles Jagoe, and Gang Chen

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2021-175', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Jul 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2021-175', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Jul 2021

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on hess-2021-175', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Jul 2021
  • RC2: 'Comment on hess-2021-175', Anonymous Referee #2, 23 Jul 2021
Christy Ann Crandall, Joseph St. Peter, Paul Medley, Jason Drake, Jordan Vernon, Victor Ibeanusi, Charles Jagoe, and Gang Chen
Christy Ann Crandall, Joseph St. Peter, Paul Medley, Jason Drake, Jordan Vernon, Victor Ibeanusi, Charles Jagoe, and Gang Chen

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This preprint has been withdrawn.

Short summary
A novel method to select areas for pine basal area reduction that maximizes potential water yield gains in forests along the Northern Gulf of Mexico, USA using recently published high resolution geospatial vegetation metrics raster datasets and analyses and relationships between basal area, leaf area index, and water yields.