Journal ArticleDOI
The urban watershed continuum: evolving spatial and temporal dimensions
Sujay S. Kaushal,Kenneth T. Belt +1 more
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In this paper, an urban watershed continuum framework recognizes a continuum of engineered and natural hydrologic flowpaths that expands hydrologics networks in ways that are seldom considered. And the authors propose testable hypotheses of how transport/transformation of materials and energy vary along a continuous flowpath in space and time.Abstract:
Urban ecosystems are constantly evolving, and they are expected to change in both space and time with active management or degradation. An urban watershed continuum framework recognizes a continuum of engineered and natural hydrologic flowpaths that expands hydrologic networks in ways that are seldom considered. It recognizes that the nature of hydrologic connectivity influences downstream fluxes and transformations of carbon, contaminants, energy, and nutrients across 4 space and time dimensions. Specifically, it proposes that (1) first order streams are largely replaced by urban infrastructure (e.g. storm drains, ditches, gutters, pipes) longitudinally and laterally within watersheds, (2) there is extensive longitudinal and lateral modification of organic carbon and nutrient retention in engineered headwaters (3) there are longitudinal downstream pulses in material and energy exports that are amplified by interactive land-use and hydrologic variability, (4) there are vertical interactions between leaky pipes and ground water that influence stream solute transport, (5) the urban watershed continuum is a transformer and transporter of materials and energy based on hydrologic residence times, and (6) temporally, there is an evolution of biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions as land use and urban infrastructure change over time. We provide examples from the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Long-Term Ecological (LTER) site along 4 spatiotemporal dimensions. Long-term monitoring indicates that engineered headwaters increase downstream subsidies of nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, carbon, and metals compared with undeveloped headwaters. There are increased longitudinal transformations of carbon and nitrogen from suburban headwaters to more urbanized receiving waters. Hydrologic connectivity along the vertical dimension between ground water and leaky pipes from Baltimore’s aging infrastructure elevates stream solute concentrations. Across time, there has been increased headwater stream burial, evolving stormwater management, and long-term salinization of Baltimore’s drinking water supply. Overall, an urban watershed continuum framework proposes testable hypotheses of how transport/transformation of materials and energy vary along a continuum of engineered and natural hydrologic flowpaths in space and time. Given interest in transitioning from sanitary to sustainable cities, it is necessary to recognize the evolving relationship between infrastructure and ecosystem function along the urban watershed continuum.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
The Urban Forest and Ecosystem Services: Impacts on Urban Water, Heat, and Pollution Cycles at the Tree, Street, and City Scale
TL;DR: A transdisciplinary framework to support future urban forest research is proposed to better understand and communicate the role of urban trees in urban biogeochemical cycles that are highly disturbed, highly managed, and of paramount importance to human health and well-being.
Journal ArticleDOI
Contrasting nitrogen and phosphorus budgets in urban watersheds and implications for managing urban water pollution.
Sarah E. Hobbie,Jacques C. Finlay,Benjamin D. Janke,Daniel A. Nidzgorski,Dylan B. Millet,Lawrence A. Baker +5 more
TL;DR: A comparison of urban watershed nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) budgets is presented, underscoring the importance of household actions in influencing urban watershed nutrient budgets and suggesting that N management should emphasize reducing watershed inputs, whereas P management should focus on reducing watershed P inputs and transport from vegetated landscapes to streets and storm drains.
Journal ArticleDOI
Review and Research Needs of Bioretention Used for the Treatment of Urban Stormwater
TL;DR: In this article, the use of mesocosms provides the ability to isolate particular treatment processes and replicate variability, offering potential improvements to their operation, maintenance, and design, and predicting maintenance is essential to assessing lifecycle costs.
Journal ArticleDOI
Land Use and Climate Variability Amplify Carbon, Nutrient, and Contaminant Pulses: A Review with Management Implications
Sujay S. Kaushal,Peter M Mayer,Philippe Vidon,Rose M. Smith,Micheal J Pennino,Tamara A. Newcomer,Shuiwang Duan,Claire Welty,Kenneth T. Belt +8 more
TL;DR: This article reviewed >200 studies of hydrologic and gaseous fluxes and show how the interaction between land use and climate variability alters magnitude and frequency of carbon, nutrient, and greenhouse gas pulses in watersheds.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Sanitary City: Urban Infrastructure in America from Colonial Times to the Present The Sanitary City: Urban Infrastructure in America from Colonial Times to the Present . Martin V. Melosi. 2000. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 578 pp. $59.95 hardcover.
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Book ChapterDOI
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