Efforts to restore the ecosystems of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary and watershed could be complicated by unforeseen consequences of climate variability and change. The freshwater flow patterns upon which these ecosystems depend are generated in the headwaters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Relatively little is known about the role of vegetation in determining the watershed's hydrologic response to climate variability and change. The goals of this study are to use satellite data to characterize recent historical vegetation variability, to develop a combined model of the watershed's hydrology and vegetation capable of replicating that behavior, and to apply these tools to assess the role of vegetation in shaping the watershed's hydrologic response to climate variability and global climate change.

    This web site serves as a portal for information about this project. Below are links to proposal materials, progress reports, and products. Contact nknowles@usgs.gov for more information.


Executive Summary (PDF)


PRELIMINARY PRODUCTS

NDVI Animations

Related Publications and Presentations

DELIVERABLES

Vegetation Modeling Final Report (Task 2 deliverable, PDF)

Satellite Data Products Final Report (Task 3 deliverable, PDF)

Satellite Data Products (Task 3 Deliverable)

Main Investigation Final Report (Task 4 Deliverable)

Summary Close-Out Report (Task 5 Deliverable)