Abstract
Impacts of climate change on streamflow have long been an issue of concern for water experts. The main aim of this study is to assess the response of streamflow to precipitation and air temperature. In this study elasticity model was used to compute the precipitation and air temperature elasticity of 6 major rivers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, Pakistan. In contrast to temperature elasticity estimator, box plots of precipitation elasticity estimator have low range and standard deviation leading to greater central affinity which produces valid, appropriate, and statistically significant elasticity results. Precipitation is positively correlated with streamflow while the air temperature is both positively and negatively linked with streamflow. 10% variation in precipitation and air temperature produces 12 to 20% and 8 to 18% change in streamflow, respectively. The sensitivity of streamflow to air temperature is higher as compared to precipitation. This research work shows that precipitation elasticity results are statistically valid and realistic as compared to temperature elasticity results. Moreover, it is suggested to support elasticity results by statistical correlation to avoid misleading and unrealistic results. Results of the current study can be used in formulating long term policies regarding streamflow sensitivity in the study region. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091698 Full Text: PDF
Highlights
Global warming cause variations in hydrologic cycle at global scale
The precipitation elasticity results demonstrated that a 1% increase in precipitation can cause a maximum 5% increase in streamflow while a 1% increase in air temperature can cause a maximum 15% increase in streamflow
The results of precipitation elasticity are reasonable while results of temperature elasticity are not practically possible
Summary
Hydrologic systems will face variations in water quantity and extreme events [1]. These changes will affect hydropower sector, municipal and industrial demand, and public health. Hydrologic cycle of any watershed is primarily affected by both climatic and non-climatic determinants. It is well-founded knowledge that climate change experts mainly considers evaporation, precipitation and air temperature [3, 6,7,8,9,10] as the fundamental environmental determinants responsible for variability in hydrologic systems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
