Streamflow response to climate and landuse changes in a coastal watershed in North Carolina
Authors: | S. Qi, G. Sun, Y. Wang, S.G. McNulty, J.A. Moore Myers |
Year: | 2009 |
Type: | Scientific Journal |
Station: | Southern Research Station |
Source: | American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Vol. 52(3): 739-749 |
Abstract
It is essential to examine the sensitivity of hydrologic responses to climate and landuse change across different physiographic regions in order to formulate sound water management policies for local response to projected global change. This study used the a simulation model to examine the potential impacts of climate and landuse changes on streamflow of the Trent River basin in North Carolina. We predicted that streamflow of individual years could change from -93% to 238% under a changing climate. Streamflow was more sensitive to prescribed changes in precipitation than to air temperature. The likely impacts of urbanization will aggravate the impacts of climate change on water quantity and quality.