Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in Mehedinţi County - Case Study

Abstract

The increase of atmospheric greenhouse gases results in climate changes which cause the rise of sea level and an increased frequency of extreme climatic events including intense storms, heavy rainfall and droughts. There is a lower consensus on the magnitude of changes in climate variables, but several studies show that climate change has an impact on the availability and demand for water resources. Major rivers worldwide have experienced dramatic changes in flow, reducing their natural ability to adjust to and absorb disturbances. Given expected changes in global climate and water needs, this may create serious problems, including loss of native biodiversity and risks to ecosystems and humans from increased flooding or water shortages. This document analyzes the potential impact of climate change on water resources in Romania, Mehedinți County. The work ends with quantitative assessments of the effects of climate change on hydrology for a part of the Mehedinți County basins.