Publication Date:
2018-01-24
Description:
This study examines the relation between hydroclimate variability (precipitation, river discharge, temperature) and water resources, agriculture and human settlements at different time scales in northeastern Argentina. It also discusses the impacts on these productive and socio-economic sectors. The leading patterns of variability, their nonlinear trends, and cycles are identified by means of a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) complemented with a Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). Interannual hydroclimatic variability centres on two broad frequency bands: one of 2.5–6.5 years corresponding to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) periodicities and the second of about 9 years. Interdecadal variability is characterized by low-frequency trends and multidecadal oscillations that have induced a transition to wetter and warmer climate starting in the mid-twentieth century. The hydroclimate variability at all time scales had significant sectoral impacts. Frequent wet events between 1970 and 2005 favoured floods that affected agricultural and livestock productivity and forced population displacements. On the other hand, agricultural droughts produced soil moisture deficits affecting crops at critical growth periods. Hydrological droughts affected surface water resources causing water and food scarcity and stressed the capacity for hydropower generation. Lastly, increases in minimum temperature reduced wheat and barley yields.
Print ISSN:
1812-2108
Electronic ISSN:
1812-2116
Topics:
Geography
,
Geosciences
