Description:
The Columbia Wetlands are a series of floodplain wetlands within the Upper Columbia River Basin in Canada which exist in the only undammed portion of the river system. As these wetlands are largely influenced by the seasonal flood pulses that occur around June and are driven by snowmelt and rainfall, these wetlands may be greatly impacted by the potential impacts of climate change. Over the past several decades several hydroclimatic changes have occurred, including increased air temperatures, precipitation shifts, and changes in flow timing, duration, and magnitude. In the current study we examine the vulnerability of the Columbia Valley floodplain wetlands to climate change by examining a) the impacts of climate change on the Columbia River, and b) the effects of climate change on areas within the wetlands without the influence of the river. This allows us to interpret the effects of seasonal changes in environmental factors and better understand which wetlands are more at risk of change under future climate conditions.

Keywords: wetlands; beaver; hydrology; climate change

Authors:

Organization: Columbia Wetlands Stewardship Partners

Category: Hydrologically Vulnerable Wetlands

Focal Area: Columbia Wetlands

Resource Type: Report

Year: 2024