Recent trends in rivers with near-natural flow regime : The case of the river headwaters in Spain

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The aim of this research was to study the streamflow evolution of a representative sample of the Spanish near-natural-regime fluvial system over the last 4 decades of the 20th century. A representative sample of 74 rivers was selected and a statistical analysis was performed to detect seasonal and annual trends, and the magnitude of streamflow change. Almost all of the rivers studied experienced reductions in streamflow. The main decreases in the discharge of these near-natural rivers in Spain was observed in the spring and summer, when 81% and 70% of the rivers, respectively, exhibited significant negative trends. The magnitudes of the changes are also remarkable. The results of this study are relevant in view of future climatic scenarios and the evolution of land management in rural and mountain areas, as has already been observed in many parts of the Mediterranean and other regions.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Progress in physical geography, issn : 0309-1333, 2013, vol. 37, n°. 5, p. 685-700, nombre de pages : 16, Références bibliographiques : 3 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, London, Sage Publications