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Indicators of climate change impacts on the water cycle and water management

Author

Listed:
  • Christa D. Peters-Lidard

    (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)

  • Kevin C. Rose

    (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)

  • Julie E. Kiang

    (U.S. Geological Survey, Water Mission Area)

  • Michael L. Strobel

    (USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Water and Climate Center)

  • Michael L. Anderson

    (California Department of Water Resources)

  • Aaron R. Byrd

    (US Army Corps of Engineers)

  • Michael J. Kolian

    (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

  • Levi D. Brekke

    (Bureau of Reclamation)

  • Derek S. Arndt

    (NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information)

Abstract

Managing water is a top social and economic responsibility and is expected to become even more critical as climate change, in addition to other human activities, alters water availability and quality. Robust indicators reflecting the effects of climate change on the US and global water cycles are needed in order to appropriately manage water resources. Here, we describe a suite of seventeen water cycle and management indicators, which are based on synthesis of available datasets. These indicators include average and heavy precipitation, standardized precipitation index, annual, 7-day low and 3-day high streamflow volume, streamflow timing, snow cover, snow water equivalent, groundwater level, lake water temperature, stream water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, Palmer Drought Severity Index, water withdrawals, and water use. We also identify three indicators that could be included in the suite of water cycle and management indicators with some additional, directed work: snowfall, evapotranspiration, and soil moisture. Our conceptual framework focuses on known water cycle changes in addition to potential effects on management and addresses water quantity and quality, as well as water use and related interactions with freshwater ecosystems, societal impacts, and management. Water cycle indicators are organized into three categories: (1) hydrologic processes, (2) water quality processes, and (3) water quality and quantity impacts. Indicators described here are recommended to serve as critical references for periodic climate assessments. As such, these indicators support analyses of the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy, and water resources, among other sectors. Additionally, we identify research gaps and needs that can be addressed to advance the development of future indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Christa D. Peters-Lidard & Kevin C. Rose & Julie E. Kiang & Michael L. Strobel & Michael L. Anderson & Aaron R. Byrd & Michael J. Kolian & Levi D. Brekke & Derek S. Arndt, 2021. "Indicators of climate change impacts on the water cycle and water management," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:165:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10584-021-03057-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03057-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kevin C. Rose & Britta Bierwagen & Scott D. Bridgham & Daren M. Carlisle & Charles P. Hawkins & N. LeRoy Poff & Jordan S. Read & Jason R. Rohr & Jasmine E. Saros & Craig E. Williamson, 2023. "Indicators of the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(3), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Kim, Seokhyeon & Hwang, Soonho & Song, Jung-Hun & Lee, Hyunji & Kang, Moon-Seong, 2023. "Impact of irrigation reservoirs on budget of the watershed-scale water cycle under climate change," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    3. Urszula Somorowska, 2024. "Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Snowfall Conditions in Poland Based on the Snow Fraction Sensitivity Index," Resources, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, April.
    4. Liang Chen & Mingxiang Yang & Xuan Liu & Xing Lu, 2022. "Attribution and Sensitivity Analysis of Runoff Variation in the Yellow River Basin under Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-21, November.

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