Multidecadal change in streamflow associated with anthropogenic disturbances in the tropical Andes

Molina, A.; Vanacker, V.; Brisson, E.; Mora, D.; Balthazar, V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-4201-2015

Articles | Volume 19, issue 10

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-4201-2015

© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-19-4201-2015

© Author(s) 2015. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Articles | Volume 19, issue 10

Research article

|

20 Oct 2015

Research article |

| 20 Oct 2015

Multidecadal change in streamflow associated with anthropogenic disturbances in the tropical Andes

A. Molina, V. Vanacker, E. Brisson, D. Mora, and V. Balthazar

Data sets

Land use data - Pangor catchment Molina, A., Vanacker, V., Balthazar, V. https://doi.org/10.7933/K1RF5RZX

Short summary

Andean catchments play a key role in the provision of freshwater resources. The development of megacities in the inter-Andean valleys raises severe concerns about growing water scarcity. This study is one of the first long-term (1970s-now) analyses of the role of land cover and climate change on provision and regulation of streamflow in the tropical Andes. Forest conversion had the largest impact on streamflow, leading to a 10 % net decrease in streamflow over the last 40 years.