Streamflow elasticity, in a context of climate change, in arid Andean watersheds of north-central Chile

Barrera, Cristian; Nunez Cobo, Jorge; Souvignet, Maxime; Oyarzun, Jorge; Oyarzun, Ricardo

Abstract

Based on a future temperature increase of 0.5 degrees C and precipitation decrease of 25%, the climate elasticity of streamflow to precipitation and temperature changes in 12 Andean watersheds of the Coquimbo Region, north-central Chile, was assessed. Also, the possible relationships between this elasticity and specific physiographic characteristics of the watersheds (area, average elevation, slope distribution, terrain roughness, slope orientation, vegetation cover) were studied. Climate elasticity of streamflow ranged between 0 and 2.8. Watersheds presenting higher elevations, with a fairly well-balanced distribution of slope exposure tend to exhibit lower elasticity, which could be explained by the contribution of snowfall to the hydrological regime, more significant in those watersheds. Results should be considered when downscaling climate model projections at the basin scale in mountain settings. Finally, uncertainties in the approach, given by factors such as streamflow seasonality, data availability and representativeness and watershed characteristics, and therefore the scope of the results, are discussed.

Más información

Título según WOS: Streamflow elasticity, in a context of climate change, in arid Andean watersheds of north-central Chile
Título de la Revista: HYDROLOGICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL
Volumen: 65
Número: 10
Editorial: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Fecha de publicación: 2020
Página de inicio: 1707
Página final: 1719
DOI:

10.1080/02626667.2020.1770764

Notas: ISI