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Green infrastructure and climate change adaptation – simplifying the complex with integrated models
World Water-Tech North AmericaOctober 18-20, 2016
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Project Partners
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What is green infrastructure?• Existing natural heritage systems including
urban forests, streams, wetlands, ponds, parks
• Low impact development practices – includes rain gardens, vegetated roofs, and other practices that mimic natural systems into developed areas to manage rainwater where it falls
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Adaptation is now!
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Do your climate change adaptation strategies include green infrastructure?
• How will a changing climate impact the resiliency of your existing forests, wetlands and parks?
• How can green infrastructure help you adapt to climate and hydrologic change?
• Can we integrate your green with the gray infrastructure planning?
• Do you have local, regional, and watershed-based views on green infrastructure?
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Case Study – Spencer Creek Watershed (Hamilton Ontario)
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Integrated models provide insights into your adaptation strategy
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We will have far less snow
80% Decrease in Mean Snow Pack Depth
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Our wetlands and forests will get drier
9
Percent of Time Soil Moisture < Wilting Point
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Some wetlands will shrink
Current Climate
Future Climate
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Streams will flow higher, more frequently
3 Day Maximum Flow Increase by 50%
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Sediment loading will increase
Annual Sediment Loading Increase by 80%
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Science beats guessing! How do these great models help us?
• Predict impacts around specific environmental features and design and implement programs to monitor those changes
Monitor
• Identify what is at risk. Plan for and invest in green infrastructure that will be most resilient and thrive in a changing climate
Plan
• Predict the effectiveness of our green infrastructure in adapting to a changing climate. Develop adaptation solutions that combine green and gray infrastructures.
Adapt