Future global streamflow declines are probably more severe than previously estimated

Yongqiang Zhang, Hongxing Zheng, Xuanze Zhang, L. Ruby Leung, Changming Liu, Chunmiao Zheng, Yuhan Guo, Francis H. S. Chiew, David Post, Dongdong Kong, Hylke Beck, Congcong Li, Günter Blöschl

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Climate change and increasing water use associated with socio-economic growth have exacerbated the water crisis in many parts of the world. Many regional studies rely on Earth System Models that, however, do not fully exploit streamflow observations. Here we offer an observation-based approach to predicting streamflow change on the basis of the elasticity of streamflow to their climate drivers observed at 9,505 catchments across the globe. We show that near-future (2021–2050) global streamflow may be lower than predicted by Earth System Models, particularly in Africa, Australia and North America. The lower streamflow predicted here is due to smaller contributions from precipitation and stronger sensitivity of streamflow to changes in evapotranspiration, which is related to increased radiation energy and vapour transfer, and enhanced vegetation greening. Our estimate points towards the possibility that a future water crisis could be more severe than anticipated.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalNature Water
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Future global streamflow declines are probably more severe than previously estimated'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this