preview

The Relationship Between Stream Temperature And Precipitation For Chestnut Branch

Decent Essays

Stream temperature is one of the prominent factors that dictates biotic and abiotic processes in a stream. Stream temperature is affected by streamside land use, air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, groundwater influx, depth and turbidity. With projected rising air temperatures and extremes of precipitation due to climate change, it is anticipated that stream temperatures will rise in the future. Understanding the response of stream temperature to different external variables can provide valuable information for the management and protection of freshwater systems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between stream temperature and precipitation for Chestnut Branch, a stream in New Jersey, USA, using a Bayesian …show more content…

The strong correlation between climate and stream temperatures have been well documented (Kaushal et al, 2010; Mantua et al, 2010). Analysis of data covering long periods in recent decades has revealed that increases in stream temperatures have already occurred with rising air temperatures (Hari et al, 2006; Kaushal et al, 2010). Studies by Jayer et al, (1999) and Sharma et al, (2007) have indicated that cold water species may become restricted at higher elevations by climate change. However, variation in stream temperature can also be induced more directly through human activity within the watershed. The most widely known cases are those related to developments associated with land-use change and pollution (Langan et al, 2001). With these rising stream temperatures, numerous studies have been carried out to identify measures for mitigating the rise in stream temperatures (Verdonschot, undated). There have been a number of studies undertaken to establish the relationship between stream temperature and air temperature. However, very little work has been been carried out on establishing the relationship between stream temperature and precipitation. Despite projected rising air temperatures due to climate change, temperate regions also

Get Access