Regional hydrologic consequences of increases in atmospheric CO2 and other trace gases

摘要: Concern over changes in global climate caused by growing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other trace gases has increased recent years as our understanding dynamics systems improved. Yet despite a climatic processes, many the effects human-induced are still poorly understood. Major alterations regional hydrologic cycles subsequent water availability may be most important such changes. Unfortunately, these among least well-understood impact. Water-balance modeling techniques - modified for assessing impacts were developed tested major watershed northern California using climate-change scenarios from both state-of-the-art general circulation models series hypothetical scenarios. Results this research suggest strongly that plausible temperature precipitation increases trace-gas could have on timing magnitude runoff soil moisture agricultural areas. Of particular importance predicted patterns summer soil-moisture drying consistent across entire range The decreases 8 to 44%. In addition, observed runoff-specifically dramatic winter runoff. These results raise possibility environmental socioeconomic difficulties they will significant implications future water-resource planning management.