Severe climate-induced water shortage and extremes in Crete - A letter

摘要: Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on the hydrologic cycle, creating changes in freshwater resources. The Intergovernmental Panel Change (IPCC) predicts that, as result, floods and prolonged droughts will take place at increasingly frequent periods. Mediterranean has been described one of main climate “hot-spots”, with recent simulations showing collective picture substantial drying warming. This effect appears more pronounced during warm periods, when seasonal decrease precipitation can exceed control climatology by 25–30%. Despite decreasing annual rainfall trend, an increase amount intensity wintertime evident. However, scientific question quantitative these signals small scale coastal watersheds islands not answered. state-of-the-art Ensembles dataset was employed assess changing water availability island Crete basin scale. Here, temperature data used input for rainfall–runoff model previous calibrated whole principle regionalization. Data analysis period 1970–2100 reveals overall trend which, combined rise, leads reduction availability. Quantitative results hydrological provide required improve knowledge adaptation policy shortages.