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Hydrology and Watershed Management

The Jefferson monument in Washington, D.C. framed by a spectacular cherry blossom display. Focus on the monument background.

Apr 8, 2024

Removal of DC’s Cherry Blossoms Reflects Troubling Future For Coastal Forests

“It’s a great example of where people can see the effects of sea level rise and what’s happening all over the East Coast,” says NC State expert Marcelo Ardón.

A stream at Brown Mountain in western North Carolina - What is a Watershed? - NC State University - College of Natural Resources News

May 23, 2023

What is a Watershed?

NC State professor Katherine Martin breaks down why watersheds are critical to our social, environmental and economic well-being.

A stream in Costa Rica - Tropical Streams Reveal Climate Change Insights - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

Mar 30, 2023

Tropical Streams Reveal Climate Change Insights

NC State's Marcelo Ardón studies streams in in Costa Rica's rainforests to reveal climate change insights.

Shasta Lake during a drought in California - Drought, Heat Waves Worsen West Coast Air Pollution Inequality - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

Mar 27, 2023

Drought, Heat Waves Worsen West Coast Air Pollution Inequality

Drought and heat waves could make air pollution worse for communities that already have a high pollution burden in California, a study led by NC State researchers found.

Rushing stream - Forests Can Help Manage Water as Raleigh Area Grows, Climate Warms - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

Jan 12, 2023

Forests Can Help Manage Water as Raleigh Area Grows, Climate Warms

Riparian buffers could help maintain water levels in parts of the Upper Neuse River Watershed, a study found.

Marcelo Ardón standing in a ghost forest along the North Carolina coastline - Ask an Expert: What Are Ghost Forests? - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

Oct 21, 2022

Ask an Expert: What Are Ghost Forests?

NC State researcher Marcelo Ardón discusses the emergence and spread of ghost forests along the Atlantic Coast.

Great Smoky Mountains - During Droughts, Thirstier Mountain Forests Could Mean Less Water Downstream - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

Mar 10, 2022

During Droughts, Thirstier Mountain Forests Could Mean Less Water Downstream

Increased water use by upstream mountain forests could leave less water for other forests, cities and wildlife during drought.

Coastal Forests - Study Finds Saltwater Thresholds for Plants in Freshwater Forests - College of Natural Resources News - NC State University

Jan 31, 2022

Study Finds Saltwater Thresholds for Plants in Freshwater Forests

Findings from the study could help researchers identify coastal landscapes in transition from forest to marsh or open water – and in need of help.

ghost forest - Study Finds Ghosts Forest 'Tree Farts' Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

May 13, 2021

Study Finds Ghost Forest ‘Tree Farts’ Contribute to Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions from standing dead trees in coastal wetland forests – colloquially called "tree farts" – need to be accounted for when assessing the environmental impact of so-called “ghost forests.”

Wetland forest, seen from a research tower - Natural Forest in Coastal N.C. Becomes Carbon Source as 'Ghost Forest' Spreads - College of Natural Resources News NC State University

May 6, 2021

Natural Forest in Coastal NC Becomes Carbon Source as ‘Ghost Forest’ Spreads

NC State researchers found natural coastal forests were carbon sources, while the timing of harvest could impact whether coastal timber forests were sinks or sources.