A model-based assessment of the effects of projected climate change on the water resources of Jordan

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the quantification of the likely effect of anthropogenic climate change on the water resources of Jordan by the end of the twenty-first century. Specifically, a suite of hydrological models are used in conjunction with modelled outcomes from a regional climate model, HadRM3, and a weather generator to determine how future flows in the upper River Jordan and in the Wadi Faynan may change. The results indicate that groundwater will play an important role in the water security of the country as irrigation demands increase. Given future projections of reduced winter rainfall and increased near-surface air temperatures, the already low groundwater recharge will decrease further. Interestingly, the modelled discharge at the Wadi Faynan indicates that extreme flood flows will increase in magnitude, despite a decrease in the mean annual rainfall. Simulations projected no increase in flood magnitude in the upper River Jordan. Discussion focuses on the utility of the modelling framework, the problems of making quantitative forecasts and the implications of reduced water availability in Jordan.

Toward an Integrated and Sustainable Water Resources Management in Structurally-Controlled Watersheds in Desert Environments Using Geophysical and Remote Sensing Methods

“…Further, it was ob- Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) have been increasingly used to improve the imitative methods of data collection in geological and environmental applications [10][11][12][13]. The problem of data limitation has been overcome as megascopic observations through available satellite images and digital elevation models (DEM) of different sources and resolutions [14][15][16]. As a main product of the shuttle radar topographic mission (SRTM), the DEM has been widely used for defining watershed characteristics [14,17], such as flow pathways and their confluences/dispersions and the estimation of linear relationship of these networks [13].…”

Assessment of the Hydrological and Environmental Problems of Waste Water Disposal Sites in Aswan of Egypt Using Remote Sensing and GIS

“…1,2 Basically, the understanding of natural hydrological setting requires lots of data measurements and abundant analyses, which are not available for the water-stressed dryland areas. 3 This understanding is fundamental to properly assess the interaction water-use projects and the surrounding elements of the environment, to maximise the overall benefits from the limited valuable commodity in these areas. 4 Generally speaking, the main water supplies for the dryland come from non-renewable groundwater aquifers, local marginal rainfall or far distant discharges from seasonal and perennial river systems.…”

Water Shortage in MENA Region: An Interdisciplinary Overview and a Suite of Practical Solutions

“…The rather high water availability in Lebanon is projected to decrease from 900 m 3 to 725 m 3 , putting Lebanon below water scarcity levels. Consequently, groundwater will continue to be a vital source of drinking water [24]. Surprisingly enough, during the years 1993, 2003 and 2013, the Middle East witnessed extraordinary intensive downpours and snow storms originating from Siberia causing vast destruction to the fragile low-capacity infrastructures [25].…”