Changing Water Cycle under a Warming Climate: Tendencies in the Carpathian Basin

Abstract

In this mini-review, we present evidence from the vast literature that one essential part of the coupled atmosphere–ocean system that makes life on Earth possible, the water cycle, is exhibiting changes along with many attributes of the global climate. Our starting point is the 6th Assessment Report of the IPCC, which appeared in 2021, where the almost monograph-size Chapter 8, with over 1800 references, is devoted entirely to the water cycle. In addition to listing the main observations on the Earth globally, we focus on Europe, particularly on the Carpathian (Pannonian) Basin. We collect plausible explanations of the possible causes behind an observably accelerating and intensifying water cycle. Some authors still suggest that changes in the natural boundary conditions, such as solar irradiance or Earth’s orbital parameters, explain the observations. In contrast, most authors attribute such changes to the increasing greenhouse gas concentrations since the industrial revolution. The hypothesis being tested, and which has already yielded convincing affirmative answers, is that the hydrological cycle intensifies due to anthropogenic impacts. The Carpathian Basin, a part of the Danube watershed, including the sub-basin of the Tisza River, is no exception to these changes. The region is experiencing multiple drivers contributing to alterations in the water cycle, including increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation regimes, and various human impacts.

Groundwater Recharge from Below under Changing Hydro-Meteorological Conditions in a Forested and Grassland Site of the Great Hungarian Plain

“…The decline of groundwater levels on the Great Hungarian Plain, where the pilot area of the present study is located, has emerged as a prominent environmental and agricultural issue for quite a few years. There are multiple potential causes for this phenomenon, including a decrease in the natural replenishment of groundwater due to climate change [50][51][52], as well as inadequate control and monitoring of groundwater extraction. The aforementioned factors may lead to excessive extraction of groundwater, insufficient assessment of its sustainability, intensive irrigation methods, and the historical transformation of natural landscapes for other uses [52].…”

Delays in Territorial Development – Case Study of the Hungarian Sand Ridge Region

“…The environmental and social risks of sustainability have become more pressing in recent decades (Tollefson, 2022;IPCC, 2023). Hungary is also in a challenging position (Tran et al, 2022;Jánosi et al, 2023), and the Sand Ridge in the Danube-Tisza Interfluve (Sand Ridge abbreviated as SR or named Homokhátság in Hungarian) is one of the most exposed regions within Europe (Kovács et al, 2017). Thus, since the mid-90s, the SR has garnered attention in the literature primarily because of its aridification and landscape degradation (Pálfai et al, 1998;Bartholy et al, 2005;Cserny & Füleky, 2008;Bíró, 2011;Rakonczai et al, 2021).…”