Abstract
Hydrological cycle is influenced by multiple factors, including climate change, land use changes, and anthropogenic activities, all of which threaten water availability and quality worldwide. Numerous investigations used landscape metrics and hydrological modeling, to demonstrate the influence of landscape patterns on the hydrological cycle components. Many of these investigations have determined the repercussions on quality and availability water, sedimentation and erosion regime, mainly in Asian basins. There is a progress in this branch of science, but there are still unanswered questions for our region. This study examines the hydrological response in Chilean basins under various land use change scenarios LUCC and the influence of climate change. The water cycle were modeled using physically distributed type hydrological and hydraulic simulation model (TETIS). Future climate data were derived from Chilean regional simulations using WRF-MIROC5 model, forced by RCP 8.5 scenario, for the periods 2030-2091. LUCC scenarios were designed based on nature-based solutions, landscape pattern influences, current national and international water conservation legislation, and extreme scenarios of non-preservation and conservation of native forests. The scenarios that demonstrate greater water availability, even under climate change, are those promoting the restoration of native forests in over 30% of the basins, even alongside agricultural activities. Current legislation promoting the restoration of native forests only in riparian zones (30-60 m or 200 m in steeper areas) will not be resilient enough to address future water shortages. Evapotranspiration, direct runoff, and water availability at basin outlets showed the greatest variations due to LUCC.
Presenters
Marieta Hernandez SosaStudent, MSc Geography, Environment and Territorial Planning, University of Concepcion, Bío-Bío, Chile
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Assessing Impacts in Diverse Ecosystems
KEYWORDS
TETIS, LANDSCAPE PATTERN, HYDROLOGICAL PROCESS, WATER AVAILABILITY, CHILEAN BASIN
