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Titel |
Analyzing precipitationsheds to understand the vulnerability of rainfall dependent regions |
VerfasserIn |
P. W. Keys, R. J. Ent, L. J. Gordon, H. Hoff, R. Nikoli, H. H. G. Savenije |
Medientyp |
Artikel
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Sprache |
Englisch
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ISSN |
1726-4170
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Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 9, no. 2 ; Nr. 9, no. 2 (2012-02-10), S.733-746 |
Datensatznummer |
250006764
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Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/bg-9-733-2012.pdf |
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Zusammenfassung |
It is well known that rivers connect upstream and downstream ecosystems
within watersheds. Here we describe the concept of precipitationsheds to show
how upwind terrestrial evaporation source areas contribute moisture for
precipitation to downwind sink regions. We illustrate the importance of
upwind land cover in precipitationsheds to sustain precipitation in
critically water stressed downwind areas, specifically dryland agricultural
areas. We first identify seven regions where rainfed agriculture is
particularly vulnerable to reductions in precipitation, and then map their
precipitationsheds. We then develop a framework for qualitatively assessing
the vulnerability of precipitation for these seven agricultural regions. We
illustrate that the sink regions have varying degrees of vulnerability to
changes in upwind evaporation rates depending on the extent of the
precipitationshed, source region land use intensity and expected land cover
changes in the source region. |
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