Modelling the effects of land use and climate changes on hydrology in the Ursern Valley, Switzerland

• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9895
• Publication Date: 2013-05-08T14:27:10Z
• Authors: A. Alaoui; E. Willimann; K. Jasper; G. Felder; F. Herger; J. Magnusson; R. Weingartner
• Keywords: Snowmelt; Discharge

Abstract While many studies have been conducted in mountainous catchments to examine the impact of climate change on hydrology, interactions between changes and land use components largely unknown impacts hydrology alpine regions. They need be given special attention order devise possible strategies concerning general development these Thus, main aim was (i.e. bushland expansion) increase temperature) by model simulations. For this purpose, physically based WaSiM‐ETH applied catchment Ursern Valley central Alps (191 km 2 ) over period 1983−2005. Modelling results showed that reduction mean monthly discharge during summer is due primarily retreat snow time secondarily glacier surface area together with its time, rather than evapotranspiration expansion “green alder” expense grassland. The significant decrease July, August September shows a regime from b‐glacio‐nival nivo‐glacial. These are confirmed modeling attest temporal shift snowmelt towards earlier year: March, April May for June discharge. It expected yearly total will reduced 0.6% near future, whereas, it about 5% if also taken into account. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.