Potential impacts of afforestation and climate change on the stream water chemistry of the Monachyle catchment

Abstract

MAGIC (Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments) has been applied to the Monachyle catchment at Balquhidder. This site is affected by wet and dry deposition of oxides of sulphur and nitrogen. The catchment is shown to be a transition site and potentially vulnerable to land use change such as afforestation, especially if coupled with continuing high levels of acid deposition. Moreover, a changing climate may affect the long-term hydrochemical response. MAGIC has been used to illustrate the potential interactions between land use, acid deposition and climate change on this particular catchment.