Ecological Flows

Demand for freshwater is increasing with human population growth, and is exacerbated by water management practices and climate variability. These disruptions are expected to increase with corresponding impacts on the timing, predictability, and availability of water, factors that highly constrain the health and well-being of all freshwater organisms.  Ecological flow science attempts to understand flows necessary to support aquatic biota and their associated ecological processes so that managers are able to balance these with diverse human water demands.  Researchers at the Leetown Science Center integrate laboratory studies, field observations, and comprehensive modeling techniques to characterize the interrelationship between ecosystems and needed flow requirements under varying conditions.