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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