Comprehensive Synthesis of Forested Watershed Science and Climate Change Impacts: the
Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia
Several years ago, a group of watershed scientists and field professionals gathered at UBC to discuss the idea of a
provincially relevant summary of hydrology, geomorphology, and watershed management science. Their main
objectives were to bridge sometimes disparate views with an integrated
understanding of forest hydrology and geomorphology and to create a “go-to” BC
reference. Through this meeting, the Compendium of Forest Hydrology and
Geomorphology was born.
The Compendium is a two volume, land management handbook that consolidates
current knowledge and operational experience of forest hydrology, geomorphology
and climate science into 19 peer-reviewed chapters. Topics in the Compendium
include: history of forest hydrology; regional hydrology; weather and climate;
physiography; forest hydrology processes; hillslope, karst and fluvial
geomorphology; forest disturbance effects on watershed processes; watershed
measurement methods; water quality; salmonid ecology; riparian ecology and
management; watershed restoration; and the effects of climate change on
watershed processes.
The Team:
The Compendium project was initiated and managed by FORREX. It was created largely through partnerships
among the BC forest hydrology community being co-lead by Robin Pike (now with BC Ministry of Environment) and
Todd Redding (now with Okanagan College). With 67 volunteer authors and 84 peer reviewers from across BC,
Canada, the United States, and around the world, the Compendium embodies the spirit of partnerships—
strengthening connections among colleagues, agencies, and disciplines.
Key Features:
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synthesis of the current state of knowledge
promotes an integrated understanding of forest hydrology, geomorphology, aquatic habitat
processes and management issues
focused on principles and techniques
focused on British Columbia
Published jointly by the Province of British Columbia and FORREX in December 2010, the Compendium is freely
available from: www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh66.htm or via hardcopy for a fee at:
http://www.publications.gov.bc.ca/
Table of Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgements
Part 1: Regional Context of British Columbia
Chapter 1: Forest Hydrology in British Columbia:
Context and History
Chapter 2: Physiography of British Columbia
Chapter 3: Weather and Climate
Chapter 4: Regional Hydrology
Chapter 5: Forest Practices
Part 2: Watershed Hydrology
Chapter 6: Hydrologic Processes and Watershed
Responses
Chapter 7: The Effects of Forest Disturbance on
Hydrologic Processes and Watershed Response
Part 3: Watershed Geomorphology
Chapter 8: Hillslope Processes
Chapter 9: Forest Management Effects on Hillslope Processes
Chapter 10: Channel Geomorphology: Fluvial Forms, Processes, and Forest Management Effects
Chapter 11: Karst Geomorphology, Hydrology, and Management
Part 4: Water Quality, Stream and Riparian Ecology
Chapter 12: Water Quality and Forest Management
Chapter 13: Stream and Riparian Ecology
Chapter 14: Salmonid Ecology and the Hydrologic and Geomorphic Features of British Columbia Streams
Chapter 15: Riparian Management and Effects on
Function
Part 5: Watershed Management Decision Support
Chapter 16: Detecting and Predicting Changes in
Watersheds
Chapter 17: Watershed Measurement Methods
and Data Limitations
Chapter 18: Stream, Riparian, and Watershed
Restoration
Chapter 19: Climate Change Effects on Watershed
Processes in BC
Appendix 1: Glossary of Hydrologic and
Geomorphic Terms
Appendix 2: Acronyms, Initialisms, and Symbols
Appendix 3: Watershed Data and Information
Resources
Index
With respect to climate science; Chapter 3 provides an extensive description of British Columbia’s weather,
climate, trends and projected future changes. It is an excellent reference on the state of knowledge. Chapter 19
focuses specifically on climate change effects on watershed processes in British Columbia. We believe it is the
most comprehensive review for British Columbia published to date.
At over 800 pages, the Compendium showcases the rich history of forest hydrology research and practice in British
Columbia, and sets a foundation for the future by showing us how much more we have yet to learn.
Contact:
Robin Pike
BC Ministry Environment
Robin.G.Pike@gov.bc.ca
Todd Redding
Okanagan College
TRedding@okanagan.bc.ca