Characterizing temporary hydrological regimes at a European scale

Kirby, M.J.; Gallart, F.; Kjeldsen, T.R.; Irvine, B.J.; Froebrich, J.; Lo Porto, A.. 2011 Characterizing temporary hydrological regimes at a European scale. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions, 8. 4355-4379. 10.5194/hessd-8-4355-2011

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Abstract/Summary

Monthly duration curves have been constructed from climate data across Europe to help address the relative frequency of ecologically critical low flow stages in temporary rivers, when flow persists only in disconnected pools in the river bed. The hydrological model is based on a partitioning of precipitation to estimate water available for evapotranspiration and plant growth and for residual runoff. The duration curve for monthly flows has then been analysed to give an estimate of bankfull flow based on recurrence interval. The corresponding frequency for pools is then based on the ratio of bank full discharge to pool flow, arguing from observed ratios of cross-sectional areas at flood and low flows to estimate pool flow as 0.1% of bankfull flow, and so estimate the frequency of the pool conditions that constrain survival of river-dwelling arthropods and fish. The methodology has been applied across Europe at 15 km resolution, and can equally be applied under future climatic scenarios.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number/DOI:	10.5194/hessd-8-4355-2011
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Water
CEH Sections:	Boorman
ISSN:	1812-2116
Additional Information:	Hydrology and Earth System Sciences Discussions is an Open Access journal - to access full text, please click on the OFFICIAL URL link
NORA Subject Terms:	Hydrology
Date made live:	09 Jan 2012 12:39
URI:	http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/14413

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