1. Report Working Sessions- Impacts of Climate Change relevant to the WFD
Workshop River Basin Management Plans
&
Climate Change
21 November 2007

2. 1. Main impacts of climate change
Water temperature: Blue; Black, Green; Pink; Red; Yellow
River flow (annual & seasonal); glaciers; snowmelt/storage – groundwater recharge; water availability: Blue; Black; Green; Pink; Red ; Yellow
Frequency and intensity of extreme events
floods: Blue; Black; Green; Pink ; Yellow
water scarcity & droughts: Blue; Black; Green; Pink ; Yellow
Change in pollution load/water quality : Blue; Black; Green; Pink; Red ; Yellow
Effects in aquatic ecosystems
Loss of species and protected areas (e.g. loss of wetlands): Blue; Black; Green; Pink; Red ; Yellow
Changes in eco-regions (northward movement); Blue; Black
Alien – invasive species: Red

3. 1. Main impacts of climate change
Sectors and other issues
Hydropower: Green, black, Pink; Red
Cooling water for power plants: Green, black, Pink; Red; Yellow
Navigation: Pink; Red; Yellow
Water supply/Water resource management plans: Green, black; Red; Yellow
Infrastructure: Green, black
Sea level rise; salt water intrusion; coastal erosion : Green, black; Pink
Land use changes: Yellow
Regional differences

4. Lake and river temperature
Higher air temperatures lead to higher water temperatures.
During last century the water temperature of European rivers and lakes has increased by 1-3 °C

5. Climate change: Change in seasonal flow
Change in daily average river flow between
(blue line) and (black line).
Rhône
Danube
Indalselven
Guadiana
Source: JRC 2007

6. Source: Environment Agency 2007
Caker Stream This is a chalk fed tributary of the River Wey that was dry during the drought of 2006.
2006
2007
Source: Environment Agency 2007

7. Is this the situation in European waters?

8. Change in pollution load Swedish catchment: nitrogen load Tonnes/km2
Current
Future
Source: På tal om Vatten

9. 1. Main impacts of climate change
Blue group
Longer drought periods in summer
Longer periods of low flow
Reduced water availability
Higher water temperatures
Flash Floods, more frequent extreme floods, storm surges

10. Etcetera
Blue group
water quality effects, o.a. on physical-chemical conditions
reduced groundwater recharge in some regions, more pronounced fluctuations in groundwater levels in others
changes of water related ecosystems, changes in the species composition
Regional differences