1. Land Use in a Watershed
Unit 1: The Hydrosphere

2. Why is classifying land use important?
Can be organized into urban, agriculture, wetland, and forest
Can be further broken down when necessary
Our land uses affect the quantity and quality of water that drains from a watershed
We can then protect the subsequent water resources for drinking, recreation, and wildlife habitat

3. Remote Sensing Alternative to land use surveys done in the field
Can view change overtime

4. The Effects of Land Use On…
Water runoff quantity
Water quality
Habitat surrounding
the water

5. Runoff Quantity After it rains, rain water can
Evaporate
Percolate into the groundwater
Runoff into other bodies of water
In a wooded area, water is slowed by vegetation and soil, likely to get “trapped” in that habitat
In an urban area, water is likely to run right on by to the nearest body of water
Impervious surfaces – do not allow rainfall to soak through and seep into the ground
Why do we care? Why is this important? Flooding…

6. Why would evapotranspirtation be different?

7. Water Quality How does water become polluted?
Point sources – can be traced to a single point
Water that empties into a river from a wastewater treatment plant
Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010)
Non-point sources – come from many sources
Runoff from city streets or golf courses

8. Habitat
When land uses changes, some habitats are destroyed, while others are created
Fine for species that can adapt, not for those have specific habitat requirements
Riparian Zones/Areas – areas of land bordering the edges of rivers and streams
Provide habitat for a diverse range of terrestrial species
Also impact aquatic habitats (i.e. trees provide shade)
Control runoff and filter water (think wetlands)
Riverside High School