Abstract
In this study, we present a review of the current state-of-the-art research on streamflow alteration assessment, and examine the impact of climate variability and human activities on the natural streamflow of a tributary of Lake Maggiore (north-western Italy). The recent concept of climate elasticity of streamflow was used to indicate in which parameters the streamflow is more sensitive. First, a statistically identified change point was used to define the base period. Methods including hydrological sensitivity, climate elasticity and hydrological modelling then allowed us to estimate the anthropogenic and climatic effects on streamflow and to have an idea of the complicated non-linear relationship among streamflow, precipitation and temperature. Our results suggest that climate variability accounted for 85% of the decrease in streamflow. The remaining change could result from land cover-use change. The climate elasticity method used in this study could predict streamflow for future climatic change scenarios.
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Acknowledgements
The data presented in this study are part of a CNR-ISE research project on Lake Maggiore, partially funded by the International Commission for the Protection of Italy–Switzerland Waters (CIPAIS). We would like to thank Eng. Eber Risco Sence for his help in understanding and applying ABCD model, Dr. Felicia Jones and Mr. Richard Wallwork (SEFL UK Limited) for the careful language revision of the manuscript and Dr. Danilo Godone (CNR-IRPI Turin) for providing the snow cover data. We are grateful to the anonymous reviewers whose suggestions enabled us to improve the presentation of our results.
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Saidi, H., Dresti, C., Manca, D. et al. Quantifying impacts of climate variability and human activities on the streamflow of an Alpine river. Environ Earth Sci 77, 690 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7870-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7870-z