Research: connectedness between landscapes and riverscapes, and stream temperature
In this research component, our Canadian Rivers Institute team at the University of New Brunswick is utilising remotely sensed data, such as thermal infrared imagery (TIR), Light detection and ranging (LiDAR), satellite derived land use maps, and in-stream temperature loggers and geological maps to disentangle hydrological and thermal processes acting across the Miramichi watershed. We analyse these data using geographical information systems (GIS), spatial statistical models, and numerical models. Our aim is to produce a suite of land use management plans to mitigate Altantic salmon thermal habitat degradation under a warming climate.
Our objectives are as follows:
1. Stream temperature data (Miramichi-wide)
Deploy temperature loggers which monitor stream temperature every 30 minutes (see map to right).
Deploy water level loggers to monitor river levels (similarly every 30 minutes).
Collect high resolution TIR data for ≈ 600km of river
These high resolution temperature maps allow us identify groundwater inputs and possible thermal refuges for both winter and summer (see sample image below).
Temperature logger distribution (2017)
2. Model stream temperatures
Using our suite of temperature and landscape data, we will model stream temperature.
Preliminary results have identified that streams in the Miramichi Highlands (e.g., Clearwater Brook, Burnthill Brook) are influenced by different landscape features than the Maritime Plains (e.g., Cains River).
Currently, we are expanding our modelling efforts across the entire watershed.
Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery example illustrating incoming groundwater inputs where cooler temperature is denoted by black-purple, and warmer temperature is demarcated by yellow.
3. Develop prediction models for differing land use and climate change scenarios Applying findings from our stream temperature model, we will:
Project climate change effects throughout the entire Miramichi watershed
Develop a sub-watershed scale land use management plans
For instance, our current models suggest the Cains River is underpinned by different landscape processes than those of the Northwest Miramichi. Therefore, we will account for these differences by building land use management plans that are specifically focused towards each unique sub-watershed.
An example of the differences based on physiography is shown by comparing a tributary of the Cains River (unnamed) to a tributary of the Northwest Miramichi (Mullins Stream).
4. Concurrent works Habitat mapping
Working with the New Brunswick Department of Energy and Resource Development (NB- DERD) we utilise 30cm resolution 4-band aerial imagery to develop high resolution habitat maps across the entire watershed.
These habitat maps will be coupled with our stream temperature maps to identify how Atlantic salmon habitat differs across the Miramichi watershed.