Forest Management for Water and Climate Preparedness: assessing alternative forest actions
SWSIL NTA_2018-0970
Review literature, identify case studies/models such as VELMA that address the linkage between forest stand age, soil moisture, and in-stream hydrology during summer low flows and peak flood events. Use Netmap or similar groundwater models to predict where in the Snohomish Basin to focus actions to increase water storage and groundwater recharge. Utilize the Ecosystem Management Decision Support Open Framework to prioritize forest management alternatives that address future hydrologic changes affecting salmon and co-benefits effecting hazard reduction from landslides, floods and wildfire. Identify opportunities to pilot different forest management prescriptions for hydrologic benefits for salmon and co-benefits of hazard reduction (landslides, floods and wildfire), forest health, and treaty trust resources. Develop and implement forest education programs for the public and decision makers addressing forest ecosystem services, climate adaptation, forest health, and salmon recovery.