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Evaluating impacts of drought and conservation measures on urban vegetation in southern California
Carandang, Christopher
Carandang, Christopher
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2015
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Abstract
Water resource managers in southern California are relying on a range of conservation measures, from changes in pricing structure to mandatory restrictions, to influence demand and ensure resiliency of water supply in the face of ongoing drought and long-term climate change. Improved quantification of these measures is critical for evaluating efficacy and consumer response. The current study investigates the impact of recent drought and conservation measures on vegetation greenness and water consumption in urban areas across southern California. Previous research has shown that vegetation greenness in urban areas is associated with outdoor water consumption. Evaluating these parameters provides useful insight on how water demand responds to changes in water policy and natural events, such as drought. Data are compared across several water districts in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego to identify how response varies with different conservation efforts in regions sharing similar climatology. The comparison expands on previous work conducted in Los Angeles evaluating outdoor water consumption patterns in single family residential areas. Remotely-sensed vegetation (MOD13/MYD13) products from MODIS are evaluated (8-day time step and 250-meter spatial resolution) over approximately 14 years to identify trends related to drought and conservation events. Furthermore, study parameters are examined over various land use types and compared across water districts to explore differences in outdoor water use and corresponding drivers. Trends are compared to water consumption to gain a better understanding of how recent conservation measures have influenced water demand. Ultimately, results will contribute to improved understanding of the response of water demand to drought and conservation measures and will aid in the implementation of effective conservation strategies across the southern California region.
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