Challenges in quantifying changes in the global water cycle

Hegerl, Gabriele C., Black, Emily, Allan, Richard P., Ingram, William J., Polson, Debbie, Trenberth, Kevin E., Chadwick, Robin S., Arkin, Phillip A., Sarojini, Beena Balan, Becker, Andreas, Dai, Aiguo, Durack, Paul J., Easterling, David, Fowler, Hayley J., Kendon, Elizabeth J., Huffman, George J., Liu, Chunlei, Marsh, Robert, New, Mark, Osborn, Timothy J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8425-6799, Skliris, Nikolaos, Stott, Peter A., Vidale, Pier-luigi, Wijffels, Susan E., Wilcox, Laura J., Willett, Kate M. and Zhang, Xuebin (2015) Challenges in quantifying changes in the global water cycle. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 96 (7). 1097–1115. ISSN 0003-0007

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Abstract

Human influences have likely already impacted the large-scale water cycle but natural variability and observational uncertainty are substantial. It is essential to maintain and improve observational capabilities to better characterize changes. Understanding observed changes to the global water cycle is key to predicting future climate changes and their impacts. While many datasets document crucial variables such as precipitation, ocean salinity, runoff, and humidity, most are uncertain for determining long-term changes. In situ networks provide long time-series over land but are sparse in many regions, particularly the tropics. Satellite and reanalysis datasets provide global coverage, but their long-term stability is lacking. However, comparisons of changes among related variables can give insights into the robustness of observed changes. For example, ocean salinity, interpreted with an understanding of ocean processes, can help cross-validate precipitation. Observational evidence for human influences on the water cycle is emerging, but uncertainties resulting from internal variability and observational errors are too large to determine whether the observed and simulated changes are consistent. Improvements to the in situ and satellite observing networks that monitor the changing water cycle are required, yet continued data coverage is threatened by funding reductions. Uncertainty both in the role of anthropogenic aerosols, and due to large climate variability presently limits confidence in attribution of observed changes.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 14 - life below water ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/life_below_water
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Research Groups/Centres > Theme - ClimateUEA
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Climatic Research Unit Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Water Security Research Centre
Depositing User:	Pure Connector
Date Deposited:	12 Nov 2014 16:18
Last Modified:	13 Jun 2023 08:27
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/50783
DOI:	10.1175/BAMS-D-13-00212.1

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