The Value of Riparian Habitat to Buffer Effects of Climate Change in California’S Central Valley
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THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITAT TO BUFFER EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL VALLEY Abbygayle Britton Dr. Foran | ENVS 190 Senior Thesis April 17, 2019 THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATS 1 Abstract The ecosystem services provided by riparian habitats are a potential alternative to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the Central Valley of California (CVC). The rise in regional temperature increasingly alters the hydrological regime which degrades aquatic ecosystems, contributes to water scarcity, and imposes stress on the flora and fauna throughout the CVC. Though riparian habitats historically characterized much of the CVC, its current potential in onset of climate change is not as widely acknowledged. A literature review supports the capacity for riparian habitats to provide biological refugia through thermal cover, enhanced habitat quality and role as a corridor for migration. Further research determined that riparian habitats can likely influence aquifer recharge and effectively store water resources. As the effects of climate change become more severe, it will be essential to incorporate the role of riparian habitats. THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATS 2 Table of Contents Abstract..................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................3 Reduced snowfall and snowpack ......................................................................................................5 Modified flow regime........................................................................................................................6 Increase in extreme climatic events ..................................................................................................8 Functions of Riparian Habitat as a Buffer to the Effects of Climate Change......................10 Biological refugia...........................................................................................................................10 Heterogeneity.....................................................................................................................................10 Thermal cover and Microclimates .....................................................................................................12 Enhance habitat quality..................................................................................................................13 Infiltration and Aquifer recharge ...................................................................................................14 Corridor for migration....................................................................................................................15 Risks to riparian habitat ......................................................................................................16 Water divergence............................................................................................................................16 Land Use Competition ....................................................................................................................17 Potential for Restoration......................................................................................................17 Course Restoration.........................................................................................................................17 Easements ......................................................................................................................................19 Restoration of natural floodplain....................................................................................................20 Protection through policies.............................................................................................................20 Conclusion............................................................................................................................21 References ............................................................................................................................22 THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATS 3 Introduction The California Central Valley is a region that is highly vulnerable to climate change because it has limited water resources, climate sensitive agriculture, and severe habit degradation (Scanlon et.al, 2012; Lee et. al, 2011; Kucera and Barrett, 1995). Each of these conditions will be magnified by climate change. However, research has suggested that riparian habitat, once a major feature of the Valley, has the potential to lessen the negative impacts of climate change (Capon et. al 2013; Seavy et. al, 2009). Riparian habitats play an integral role in maintaining the stability of the California Central Valley (Capon et. al, 2013; Seavy et. al, 2009; Naimen et. al, 2000). Valley oaks (Quercus lobata) and Fremont cottonwoods (Populus fremontii), amongst other tree species, provide optimal habitat for migrating water fowl and native avifauna (Gilmer et. al, 1982; Katibah, 1984). The diverse flora is also home to multiple listed species, like the nearly extirpated Least Bell’s Vireo (Vireo belli pusillus) and Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (Desmocerus californicus dimorphus), endangered California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense), and threatened giant garter snake (Thamnophis gigas) (Gardali et. al, 2006; fws.gov). Along with habitat, riparian areas provide other ecosystem services like flood protection, groundwater recharge, and nutrient cycling (Brauman et. al, 2007; Chaimson, 1984). However, a drastic change of land use from floodplains to agriculture and urbanization has led to a considerable decline in riparian habitat (Nelson et. al, 2003; Reid et. al, 2016; Katibah, 1984). The loss of riparian habitat inhibits the ecological processes of the Central Valley and makes the region vulnerable to environmental disturbance. This study aims to assess the viability of riparian habitats to serve as an effective and practical resource in lessoning the impacts of climate change in the Central Valley of California THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATS 4 (CVC). Through literature review this paper will: 1) Identify the regional impacts of climate change on CVC; 2) Determine ecosystem services of riparian habitat that will function as a buffer against climate change; 3) Identify potential risks to riparian habitat; 4) Provide a conceptual framework of necessary elements to riparian habitat restoration. The Regional Impacts of Climate Change A major consequence of climate change is the rise in temperature that will range from 1.1°C to 6.4°C (Solomon et. al, 2007). One of the expectations for the Central Valley in response to this temperature rise is a severely altered hydrological cycle. The winter and spring temperatures of the surrounding mountain ranges that provide water to the region continue to show warming trends (Cayan et. al, 2008; Mote et. al, 2005). The warmer temperatures reduce snow accumulation, which alternatively falls as rain, and the spring snow melt is happening 10- 30 days earlier in the season (Cayan et. al, 2001; Hayhoe et. al, 2004; Mote et. al, 2005; Stewart et. al, 2005). These factors have several implications downstream in the Central Valley. The Central Valley (CVC) derives most of its’ water from the Sierra Nevada, which highly influences the water regimes throughout the landscape (ca.water.usgs.gov). The CVC is split into the Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley, which depend on surface and groundwater, respectively, to support water resource needs (Katibah, 1984). The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers merge in the Delta, where they continue to flow to the San Francisco Bay and into the ocean (ca.water.usgs.gov). THE VALUE OF RIPARIAN HABITATS 5 Reduced snowfall and snowpack The reduction in snowpack and the addition of more winter rainfall can increase instream temperatures enough to exceed optimal temperatures for many aquatic species. In the best-case climate change scenario, an air temperature rise of 2°C can lead to a 57% habitat reduction for cold water aquatic species (Null et. al, 2013). Higher levels of increased air temperature of 4°C results in 91% habitat reduction, while a 6°C increases is nearly 99.3% (Null et. al, 2013). If the increase of instream temperature goes beyond the optimal range of native aquatic species, it will impact metabolic processes, increase susceptibility to disease, and overall lower fitness. Furthermore, the lifecycles of many native aquatic species are tied to the seasonal patterns of instream temperatures, including several Salmonid species (Poff et. al, 2002; Null et. al, 2013). Summer temperatures already reach the upper temperature range for many Salmonid species, like steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) (Katz et. al, 2013). The successful migration of most salmonid species depends on minimizing the amount of time they are exposed to relatively warm stream temperatures. However, stream temperatures of 21°C already extend well into September, which coincides with California’s largest salmon run, the Fall run of Chinook salmon (Null et. al, 2013). The temperature strain imposed on the various Salmonid species continues to result in unsuitable habitat that will contribute to the decline in productivity of aquatic ecosystems. The most severe increases in stream temperature have been found in lower elevation watersheds of the Central