Lakes and Watersheds in the Sierra Nevada of California

John M. Melack is Distinguished Professor in the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American and American Association for the Advancement of Science. Steven Sadro is Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at University of California, Davis. James O. Sickman is Professor of Hydrology at University of California, Riverside. Jeff Dozier is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a Distinguished Scientist for the Chinese Academy of Science.

Preface and Acknowledgments

1 • Introduction to the Sierra Nevada
Physical Features
Ecological Aspects
Cultural History
History of Natural Resource Use and Conservation

2 • Introduction to High-Elevation Lakes and Watersheds of the Sierra Nevada 
Lakes of the Sierra Nevada
Descriptions of Specific Lakes and Watersheds

3 • Snow Hydrology
Snow as a Source of Water to Lakes and Watersheds
Measurements of Snow
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Sierra Nevada Snow
Modeling Snowmelt
Future Directions

4 • Watershed Hydrology
Methods and Uncertainties
Precipitation
Stream Discharge
Evaporation
Water Budgets

5 • Watershed Biogeochemistry
Solute Concentrations in Snow and Rain
Release of Solutes from Snow
Outflow Solute Concentrations
Solute Balances
Geochemical Processes Influencing Solute Concentrations
Use of Models to Understand and Predict Hydrochemistry
Nitrogen Dynamics and Mass Balances
Phosphorus Dynamics and Mass Balances

6 • Limnology 
Physical Processes
Hydrochemistry
Catchment Characteristics and Dissolved Organic Matter
Ecosystem Metabolism and Rates of Primary Production and Respiration
Aquatic Organisms
Eutrophication
Acidification

7 • Variability, Trends, and Future Scenarios
Climate Warming Trends
Changes in Precipitation
Regional Variations and Trends in SWE 
Ice Cover Duration
Long-Term Patterns in Lake Temperatures
Snowmelt Dynamics
Hydrochemical and Biological Responses to Variations in SWE and Snowmelt
Future Climate Scenarios
Climate Change Challenges and Future Directions

References
Index