Effect of climate change on watershed system: a regional analysis

Abstract

Climate-induced increase in surface temperatures can impact hydrologic processes of a watershed system. This study uses a continuous simulation model to evaluate potential implications of increasing temperature on water quantity and quality at a regional scale in the Connecticut River Watershed of New England. The increase in temperature was modeled using Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) high and low warming scenarios to incorporate the range of possible temperature change. It was predicted that climate change can have a significant affects on streamflow, sediment loading, and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) loading in a watershed. Climate change also influences the timing and magnitude of runoff and sediment yield. Changes in variability of flows and pollutant loading that are induced by climate change have important implications on water supplies, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems of a watershed. Potential impacts of these changes include deficit supplies during peak seasons of water demand, increased eutrophication potential, and impacts on fish migration.

The Role of Palaeolimnology in Implementing the Water Framework Directive in Ireland

“…In Ireland ( Jennings et al 2003) nutrient enrichment is thought to be responsible for a large part of the documented decline in water quality over the last c.30 years (Toner et al 2005). Eutrophication pressures are likely to be increased as a result of changes in rainfall patterns and ambient temperatures associated with global warming (Marshall and Randhir 2008). Excess P is the primary cause of increased nutrient inputs, with these inputs being commonly attributed to discharges of municipal and industrial waste (Smith et al 1999;Foy et al 2003) and to agricultural intensifi cation, with diffuse agricultural sources often being the main contributor (Lucey et al 1999;Jennings et al 2003;Smith et al 2005).…”

Willamette River Basin surface water isoscape (δ18O and δ2H): temporal changes of source water within the river

“…Global warming is expected to dramatically alter the timing and quantity of water within the nation's river systems (Barnett et al 2005, Rood et al 2005, Marshall and Randhir 2008. These changes are driven by temperature and variation in the form, location and amount of precipitation that will affect the temporal and spatial distribution of river source water over time, but the impact on any specific river will be dependent on many other factors such as land use (Garcia-Ruiz et al 2011), and flowpaths and geology Grant 2009).…”

Distinct effects of temperature change on discharge and non-point pollution in subtropical southern China by SWAT simulation

“…In simulation studies at high latitudes, FL increased in spring or winter and the amplitude of variation was greater, as climate warming might accelerate snow melt (Marshall and Randhir 2008, Somura et al 2009, Bekele and Knapp 2010. In the UER, the increase in ET A would be the primary reason for decline in FL ( Fig.…”

“…Many hydrological projection research studies have been carried out at high latitudes (Bouraoui et al 2004, Marshall and Randhir 2008, Somura et al 2009, Bekele and Knapp 2010. Because of the projected higher temperature, winter snow accumulation reduced and the spring snowmelt peak was brought forward or even eliminated, which influenced seasonal flow (Xu 2000, Kundzewicz et al 2008.…”