SPONSOR:
National Institute for Water Resources, Water Resources Research Institute Program
PROJECT PERIOD:
3/1/2011 - 2/28/2013
ABSTRACT:
The climate and precipitation regime of the North Pacific and Hawai'i varies substantially across timeframes from annual to decadal and longer, and includes ENSO- and PDO-scale dynamics. Water resource planning over the long term (several decades) requires an understanding of the patterns and drivers of climate variation and change. Mountain rain is the crucial component of groundwater recharge on O'ahu. In this study, we investigated the organic geochemical and vegetation history of mountain peatswamp sediments at multiple sites to better understand the intensity and frequency of dry climate periods in Hawaii. This work has bridged important gaps in hydroclimate and climate change knowledge for Hawai'i and the Pacific, and served as a platform for additional NSF funds.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR