| This research examines urbanization and its impacts on catchment hydro-ecological processes. Analysis involved the application of varying landuse classification methods, empirical data and a semi-distributed hydro-ecological simulation model (the Regional Hydro-Ecological Simulation System) to two basins in Southern Ontario. The research illustrates the need to provide definitions of urban areas and explicitly address classification methods as these decisions may have considerable impacts on conclusions. Secondly, the research highlights the difficulties of ascertaining the relationships between runoff, urbanization and climate using empirical data. Through a hydro-ecological simulation model, it allows for a.theoretical investigation of how urbanization, climate change, hydrology and ecology interact under varying scenarios. The results indicate the need for water resource managers in Southern Ontario to be cogniscent of urbanization levels and their impacts on vegetation. Additional monitoring and refinements to the models are required to gain further insight into the hydro-ecological impacts of urbanization and climate change. |
