Mapping the locations of asymmetric and symmetric discharge responses in global rivers to the two types of El Niño
Journal
Environmental Research Letters
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
4
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
River discharge variations play a pivotal role in global water and biogeochemical cycles and can impact the world's agro-economics. Here, variations associated with the Central Pacific and Eastern Pacific types of El Niño are contrasted for thirty of the world's largest rivers. Maps are constructed to identify the rivers that produce opposite-sign (i.e., asymmetric response (AR)) or same-sign (i.e., symmetric response (SR)) variations to these two types of El Niño. The mapping shows that the strongest AR occurs in North American rivers whereas the strongest SR occurs in the Murray River in Eastern Australia and the Danube River in Central Europe. Rivers in Asia and Africa vary in their response patterns depending on the phase (developing, mature or decaying) of El Niño. The response patterns are linked to precipitation variations within the river basins. The mapping presented offers an overview of which rivers may need new projection techniques and management strategies in response to the changes in El Niño type during recent decades. © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Subjects
Central Pacific El Niño; Eastern Pacific El Niño; mapping responses of global rivers; two types of El Niño
Other Subjects
Biogeochemistry; Mapping; Nickel; Asymmetric response; Biogeochemical cycle; Eastern pacific; Management strategies; Precipitation variation; Projection techniques; Response patterns; Symmetric response; Rivers; biogeochemical cycle; global perspective; hydrological cycle; mapping method; river basin; river discharge; Africa; Asia; Australia; Danube River; Murray River; North America; Pacific Ocean; Pacific Ocean (Central); Pacific Ocean (East)
Type
journal article