Influence of climate change on the water resources in an alpine region.
It is widely accepted that the global warming will impact on water resources. This study investigates the possible influence of climate change on the water resources in an alpine region. A description of the actual situation with emphasis on the water resources from the one side and on the water consuming factors, here called stressors, is given. The probable effects of climate change in the region and their influence on its water resources are then described. The main outcome is that in the analysed region the climate change will rather have positive influence on the water balance by inducing higher precipitations during the rivers' natural low flow period (winter). This outcome contradicts many common predictions, however, this due to the specifics induced by the alpine nature of the catchment.
De Toffol
S
S
Unit of Environmental Engineering, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. sara.de-toffol@uibk.ac.at
Engelhard
C
C
Rauch
W
W
D001317:Austria; D002980:Climate; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D005843:Geography; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D014872:Water Movements; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*