The DESC catchments: Long‐term monitoring of inland Precambrian shield catchment streamflow and water chemistry in Central Ontario, Canada

Abstract

AbstractSince the early 1970s, the Dorset Environmental Science Centre (DESC) research catchments have been home to long‐term monitoring and study of terrestrial headwater catchment processes, their linkages to inland aquatic ecosystems and the influence of both natural variation and human activities. Located on the Precambrian Shield in central Ontario, Canada, covered by mixed Great Lakes‐St. Lawrence forest, the 29 catchments, defined by inflows and outflows to eight lakes, have been monitored for streamflow, meteorology and water chemistry, with long‐term datasets spanning from 1976 to the present. These datasets have provided insights into cold region hydrologic processes such as runoff generation, wetland and groundwater–surface water interactions, snow and ice processes, and catchment linkages to lake nutrient budgets and ecology. The datasets have supported catchment transit time estimates, hydrological modelling and cold region intercomparison studies. Starting with early research efforts driven by concerns over impacts from cottage development and acid deposition on soils, rivers and lakes, the DESC catchment datasets have supported study of impacts of stressors of forest harvesting, calcium depletion, road salt application and climate change. Ongoing monitoring of streamflow, meteorology and water chemistry in the DESC catchments continues to offer unique opportunities for investigation of critical zone processes in Precambrian shield catchments, their model representation and anthropogenic impacts.