What is the status of relating remotely sensed land cover (land use) change in a watershed to the water quality change of streams and bays receiving the run-off, assuming that key model inputs (e.g.precipitation, hydrology, etc.) are known?
Dear Victor,
The relationship depends much on the change in land use and the change in activities and management of that land. The run-off quality is highly influenced by the retention time and contact with polluted substances. In general land cover change from nature to roads or cities results in lower quality of the run-off water. Roads will add oil and others, buildings can increase the concentration of e.g. lead and copper in the run-off water (from e.g. drain pipes). Key is, what kind of change is it, what was the prior situation and what is the difference and what is the surface area of that change.
In my upcoming project I will more or less take this relation into account, regarding soil structure improving measures and their effect on the watersystem. Effects are all ready known on a rough scale, but the affiliated costs and benefits aren't. I will focus on the latter.
Hopefully this helps you. If you have more questions don't hesitate to ask.
Greetings,
Jeroen
Landuse change and water quality are quite subjective, if the landuse has changed from a forest /rural setting to an industrial setting, the likelihood of runoff water quality deteoriation is high. However when the landuse change involves change of barren land into a cultivated area, likelihhood of getting pesticides, NPK etc is higher. But it all depends on how much is the precipitation and how long is the contact time. My personal experience in Kuwait where we have situation that oil lakes were formed after 1991 Gulf war very less change is water quality of runoff has been seen. It is a very lengthy discussion, if Victor is interested please drop an email we can have a detailed discussion on this.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Anatomy
- Tissue