Impact of Climate Change on Inputs & Outputs
- The impact of climate change on the hydrological system could lead to several different impacts
Summary of Climate Change Impacts on Inputs and Outputs
Impact on | Result |
Precipitation |
Warmer air holds more water, therefore, there would be an increase in rainfall frequency and intensity; areas most affected would be the tropics and high latitudes Decreases in precipitation would most likely lie between 10° and 30° north and south of the Equator Increased frequency and length of heatwaves, increasing occurrences of drought and water scarcity Snowfall is replaced with rain in northern regions, reducing glacier mass |
Soil Moisture |
Where areas see an increase in precipitation then it would follow that soil moisture will increase also and vice versa Overall impact of climate change is uncertain as many factors contribute soil moisture levels and climate is just one factor |
Evapo-transpiration |
Increased evaporation over large land masses such as North America and Asia Transpiration levels would alter inline with vegetation changes (increase or decrease), this would further link to changes in soil moisture and precipitation |