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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315821
Title: Changing hydrology under a changing climate for a Coastal Plain Watershed

Author
item Bosch, David
item Arnold, Jeffrey
item ALLEN, P - Baylor University

Submitted to: Annual International SWAT Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2015
Publication Date: 6/24/2015
Citation: Bosch, D.D., Arnold, J.G., Allen, P.M. 2015. Changing hydrology under a changing climate for a Coastal Plain Watershed. [Abstract] Annual International SWAT Conference, Annual International SWAT Conference, June 24-26, 2015, Italy.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Analysis of climate data from the Little River Experimental Watershed near Tifton, Georgia, in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of the U.S.A. indicate air temperatures will increase (0.15 to 0.41°C decade-1) along with a slight increase in total annual precipitation in the 21st century. The greatest climatic change may be a shift in precipitation from the winter to the summer months. This shift in precipitation is anticipated to cause changes in hydrologic patterns in area watersheds. The SWAT model was used to examine these climatic shifts and to predict probable shifts in hydrology. Impacts on agriculture throughout the region are expected to be mixed. Increasing air temperatures will likely increase evapotranspiration rates, reducing overall water yields during high temperature months. Shifts in precipitation from winter to summer is anticipated to reduce overall water yields from regional watersheds.