Quantifying the effects of vegetation structure on snow accumulation and ablation in mixed-conifer forests

Snowmelt from forested, mountainous environments in the western United States is a critical regional water resource for streamflow and ecological productivity. These landscapes are undergoing rapid changes from the combined effects of forest fires, insect infestation and climate change. Numerous observational studies demonstrate that trees control snowpack accumulation and ablation over scales of tens of metres. Representing forest heterogeneity in models is important for understanding how changes in climate and vegetation cover affect the snowpack; yet, many snow models simplify a forest into two categories: canopy covered and non‐canopy covered. We combine existing parameterizations of mass and energy fluxes within a new three‐dimensional framework informed by Airborne Laser Swath Mapping (ALSM)‐derived canopy maps and evaluated with ALSM‐derived snow depth maps to explicitly simulate snow cover in relation to heterogeneous canopy. Model results capture much of the observed snow variability depicted in the 1‐m ALSM‐derived snow depth maps. Observations and modelled results identify open areas 15 m from tree canopies, and modelled results predict that open areas 15 m from tree canopies. Furthermore, 1‐m simulations give higher estimates for net snow water input than coarser resolution simulations, mainly in areas with fewer trees. These results suggest the importance of explicitly representing canopy edges in snow models. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.