The potential impact of climate change on hydrology and water resources in China

Taking the output from GCMs as the climatic scenario and applying the monthly water balance model and comprehensive water resources assessment model, the potential impact of climate change on the annual and monthly runoff, evaporation as well as the water supply-demand deficit were studied for seven typical river basins located in different climatic regions and ppssessing important economic value in China.. The results show that the most sensitive and vulnerable river basins to climate change are located in the Huaihe River and northern part to it. The increase or decrease of annual runoff is determined by the variation of runoff during flood season. In future climatic condition, the water deficit will be enhanced in the Yellow, Huai and Hai River Basins.