Variability in stream flows of the Xiang River in a changing climate. (2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Guoqing; Liu, Cuishan; Wan, Sicheng; Bao, Zhenxin; Liu, Yanli
• Is Part Of: International journal of global warming. Volume 12:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2017
• Subjects: variation -- climate change -- Xiang River -- Mann-Kendall test -- driver identification -- hydrological response -- stream flow; Global warming -- Periodicals; Global warming -- Statistics -- Periodicals; Global warming -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 363.73874
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-2083

Abstract

Stream flow plays a crucial role in the environment, society and the economy. Variability and trends of recorded discharges of the Xiang River and the responses to climate changes were investigated. Results indicate rising trends in the annual and four seasonal temperatures over the Xiang River catchment and sub-catchments for 1960-2010, as well as variations in precipitation. Annual discharges recorded at three hydrometric stations - Laobutou on the Xiang's upper reaches, Hengshan on its mid-section, and Xiangtan on its lower part, exhibit insignificant increasing trends for 1960-2010, with linear upward rates of 7.0, 45.7, and 47.5 m 3 s −1 /10a respectively. Annual and seasonal discharges are highly correlated to catchment precipitation and weakly correlated to temperature. A 1% change in precipitation will roughly lead to 2.08%-2.27%, 2.02%-3.37% and 1.9%-2.05% changes in discharges at the Laobutou, Hengshan, and Xiangtan stations respectively. It is essential to consider potential impacts of climate change in water resources management.