[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/ellygay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Painter-artist-34.png” background_size=”contain” background_position=”bottom_center” filter_hue_rotate=”110deg” filter_saturate=”32%” filter_brightness=”101%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”97%” filter_hue_rotate=”186deg” filter_saturate=”156%” border_width_bottom=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”529.9px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ellygay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/UN.png” title_text=”UN” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”456.3px” custom_margin=”-89px|||||” custom_padding=”27px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\u00a0We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to project future streamflow in the Upper Neuse River watershed in North Carolina, USA. We tested the capacity of riparian buffers to mitigate the effects of future land use and climate change on daily mean streamflow under three buffer treatments: present buffer widths and fully forested 15 m and 30 m buffers throughout the basin. The treatments were tested using a combination of a future climate change scenario and landcover projections that indicated a doubling of low-intensity development between 2017 and 2060. \u00a0These findings highlight a novel approach for integrating buffers into hydrologic modeling and potential for improved methodology. Understanding the effects of riparian buffers on streamflow is crucial given the pressing need to develop innovative strategies that promote the conservation of invaluable ecosystem services.<\/span><\/p>\n Publication:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Gay, E. T., Martin, K. L., Caldwell, P. V., Emanuel, R. E., Sanchez, G. M., & Suttles, K. M. (2022). Riparian buffers increase future baseflow and reduce peakflows in a developing watershed.\u00a0Science of The Total Environment<\/i>, 160834.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Press:<\/strong><\/p>\n Laura Oleniacz, January 10, 2023 —\u00a0 Forests Can Help Manage Water as Raleigh Area Grows, Climate Warms<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Oral Presentations:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting, Fall 2020\u00a0<\/p>\n Ecological Society of America & Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution Joint Meeting, Montreal, CA, Fall 2022<\/span><\/p>\n Acknowledgments: Thank you to the US Forest Service for supporting this work.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” border_width_top=”2px” border_color_top=”#898989″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ellygay.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/CF.png” title_text=”CF” _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ specialty_columns=”2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_row_inner _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column_inner saved_specialty_column_type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This project is currently being completed and seeks to determine the most effective placement of riparian buffers to protect whole watershed health, including coastal ecosystems. This research focuses on how strategic buffer placement can effect downstream water quantity and quality in vulnerable costal areas. This project leverages a SWAT model previously created by the USGS and updated by The Nature Conservancy and is funded by the North Carolina Sea Grant.<\/span><\/p>\n Press:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Rachel Keith, WHQR Wilmington, April 8, 2022 — NC State researchers hope to identify land for conservation along the Cape Fear watershed<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n