Wildfire and climate change amplify knowledge gaps linking mountain source-water systems and agricultural water supply in the western United States

Agricultural production in the western United States relies on water supplies from mountain source-water systems that are sensitive to impacts from wildfire and a changing climate. The resultant challenges to water supply forecasting directly impact agricultural producers and irrigation managers who...

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Published in:Agricultural water management Vol. 286; p. 108377
Main Authors: Barnard, David M., Green, Timothy R., Mankin, Kyle R., DeJonge, Kendall C., Rhoades, Charles C., Kampf, Stephanie K., Giovando, Jeremy, Wilkins, Mike J., Mahood, Adam L., Sears, Megan G., Comas, Louise H., Gleason, Sean M., Zhang, Huihui, Fassnacht, Steven R., Harmel, R. Daren, Altenhofen, Jon
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier B.V 01.08.2023
Elsevier
Subjects:
Aridity
climate
climate change
Crop selection
Forecasting
Irrigation
Reservoir
Snow
snowmelt
stream flow
sustainable agriculture
water management
water supply
Western United States
wildfires
Western United States
Irrigation
Reservoir
Snow
Crop selection
Forecasting
Aridity
ISSN:0378-3774, 1873-2283
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Agricultural production in the western United States relies on water supplies from mountain source-water systems that are sensitive to impacts from wildfire and a changing climate. The resultant challenges to water supply forecasting directly impact agricultural producers and irrigation managers who rely on snowmelt and streamflow forecasts for crop selection and irrigation scheduling. To date, much research has focused on source-water system processes and agricultural production separately, but in this short communication we highlight a substantial need for new research connecting these disparate systems to improve forecasting accuracy. We identify key knowledge and data gaps regarding the functioning of source watersheds and their contributions to agricultural water resources with associated uncertainties in the context of wildfire and changing climate. In doing so, we encourage researchers, resource managers, and agricultural producers to consider the interdependency of water supply source and sink relationships through improved observations, monitoring, and modeling to ensure sustainable food production in the western US. [Display omitted] •Wildfire and climate change are affecting water yields of forested river basins dominated by snow melt.•There are substantial knowledge gaps among disparate, but intrinsically linked, mountain and agricultural systems.•Knowledge and data gaps challenge forecasting short- and long-term availability with high confidence.•Better integration of monitoring and modeling among mountain processes and agricultural production is needed.
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ISSN:0378-3774
1873-2283
DOI:10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108377