Trend analysis and change point detection of annual and seasonal precipitation and temperature series over southwest Iran

This paper presents results of trend analysis and change point detection of annual and seasonal precipitation, and mean temperature (TM), maximum temperature (TMAX) and minimum temperature (TMIN) time series of the period 1950–2007. Investigations were carried out for 50 precipitation stations and 39 temperature stations located in southwest Iran. Three statistical tests including Pettitt’s test, Sequential Mann–Kendall test (SQ-MK test) and Mann–Kendall rank test (MK-test) were used for the analysis. The results obtained for precipitation series indicated that most stations showed insignificant trends in annual and seasonal series. Out of the stations which showed significant trends, highest numbers were observed during winter season while no significant trends were detected in summer precipitation. Moreover, no decreasing significant trends were detected by statistical tests in annual and seasonal precipitation series. The analysis of temperature trends revealed a significant increase during summer and spring seasons. TMAX was more stable than TMIN and TM, and winter was stable compared to summer, spring and autumn seasons. The results of change point detection indicated that most of the positive significant mutation points in TM, TMAX and TMIN began in the 1990s.     

Spatial variability of rainfall trends in Iran

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the spatial variability of rainfall trends using the spatial variability methods of rainfall trend patterns in Iran. The study represents a method on the effectiveness of spatial variability for predicting rainfall trend patterns variations. In rainfall trend analysis and spatial variability methods, seven techniques were used: Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope method, geostatistical tools as a global polynomial interpolation and the spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran’s I), high/low clustering (Getis-Ord General G), precipitation concentration index, generate spatial weights matrix tool, and activation functions of semiliner, sigmoid, bipolar sigmoid, and hyperbolic tangent in the artificial neural network technique .For the spatial variability of monthly rainfall trends, trend tests were used in 140 stations of spatial variability of rainfall trends in the 1975–2014 period. We analyzed the long and short scale spatial variability of rainfall series in Iran. Spatial variability distribution of rainfall series was depicted using geostatistical methods (ordinary kriging). Relative nugget effect (RNE) predicted from variograms which showed weak, moderate, and strong spatial variability for seasonal and annual rainfall series. Moreover, the rainfall trends at each station were examined using the trend tests at a significance level of 0.05. The results show that temporal and spatial trend patterns are different in Iran and the monthly rainfall had a downward (decreasing) trend in most stations, and the trend was statistically significant for most of the series (73.5% of the stations demonstrated a decreasing trend with 0.5 significance level). Rainfall downward trends are generally temporal-spatial patterns in Iran. The monthly variations of rainfall decreased significantly throughout eastern and central Iran, but they increased in the west and north of Iran during the studied interval. The variability patterns of monthly rainfall were statistically significant and spatially random. Activation functions in the artificial neural network models, in annual time scale, had spatially dispersed distribution with other clustering patterns. The results of this study confirm that variability of rainfall revealing diverse patterns over Iran should be controlled mainly by trend patterns in the west and north parts and by random and dispersed patterns in the central, southern, and eastern parts.     

Assessment of characteristics and distinguished hydrological periods of a river regime

This study was carried out to analyze the hydrological characteristics and assess the distinguished hydrological periods of Upper Indus Basin (UIB) Rivers of Pakistan. For this purpose, statistical analysis (variation coefficient, the auto-correlation coefficient, sequential Mann–Kendall’s test) and a proposed method for distinguishing hydrological periods (described in methodology section) were applied. The results revealed that all rivers reflect moderate variability. The results of auto-correlation displayed that the river flow observed at Astore gauging station only indicated independency, while for Gilgit, Hunza and Kachura guaging at Indus River exhibited 2, 2, 4-year lag. The mutation analysis indicated that after 1980, the change point occurred at all UIB rivers. During analysis, it was also observed that river regimes have the same hydrological periods (i.e., 4), but with different dates of occurrence. The Gilgit River showed a low high-flow hydrological period compared to Astore, Hunza and Kachora (Indus). This difference may be due to the river’s own area natural conditions. The current analysis may be helpful for planning and management of water resources, designing of hydraulic structures and to make better policies in response to agricultural water requirement downstream of UIB River.     

宝鸡峡灌区水文要素变化特征分析

选取宝鸡峡灌区降水、蒸发及径流资料,应用变差系数,累积距平法和Kendall秩次相关检验等分析方法分析各要素的变化趋势,绘制灌区气象要素空间分异性等值线图,并探究灌区主要灌溉水源历史演变过程及规律。结果表明:灌区降水,蒸发,林家村水文站年径流量年内分配都不均匀。年蒸发量有增加趋势,但趋势不显著;年降水量表现为减少的趋势;林家村水文站的年径流量减少十分显著。     

Spatial and temporal variability of rainfall: case of Bizerte-Ichkeul Basin (Northern Tunisia)

This study examines spatial and temporal variability of rainfall in Bizerte-Ichkeul Watershed. The basin, located in the extreme north of Tunisia, covers an area of 3084 km². Thirteen rainfall stations, with continuous monthly precipitation records over the period (1970–2011), were considered in the analysis. Two methods were used. In the first, the dimensionless standardized precipitation ratio is applied to examine precipitation temporal variation. The second method is represented by continuous wavelet analysis for the precipitation spatial analysis and the identification of the origin of its variability. The study of temporal variability of annual rainfall showed severe persistent and recurrent drought episodes over the period (1977–2001). Wavelet analysis resulted in detecting the modes and origins of precipitation variability. Three energy bands were clearly identified: (1, 2–4, and 4–8 years) for the entire watershed. The visualization of the power distribution showed that the observed modes of variability are different in their power distributions from one station to another. The approach adopted allowed the identification of two groups with the same precipitation frequency and temporal variation. These groups were defined according to the difference in occurrence of the frequency band for each station.     

Statistical detection and no-detection of rainfall change trends and breaks in semiarid Tunisia—50+ years over the Merguellil agro-hydro-climatic reference basin

Rainfall variability is an important feature of semiarid climates with major effects on hydrology, and beyond on key water-dependent societal aspects. Eventual changes in rainfall variability are a strong driver of change of hydrological processes, resources, and hazards, up to catchment signatures and spatial arrangements. We deal with observed precipitations and subsequent statistical coefficients available from a network of 15 rainfall gauges over and around the Merguellil catchment (1175 km²), with series ranging up to the 1961–2013 period. We look for eventual annual trends and breakpoints with a set of methods: Mann Kendall test, Pettitt test, Hubert segmentation procedure, Buishand U statistic, and Lee Heghinian Bayesian procedure. The results underline oscillation of dry and wet periods; several studied rain gauges (Tella, Oueslatia forêt, Majbar, Kesra forêt, Henchir Bhima, and Haffouz DGRE) denote significant trends in annual precipitation. Some breaks are detected but they are not synchronous. These methods reveal the variability of rainfall regimes in the semiarid region and provide a synoptic view of detection and no-detection of symptoms of change. This work gives opportunities to water stakeholders and climate experts in understanding the relationships between climate variability and water availability.     

中国降水同位素信息熵时空分布及其水汽输送示踪

研究水汽输送过程有助于更好地理解极端降水发生过程。但是,降水系统的复杂性和降水同位素的随机性使得利用降水同位素示踪水汽输送过程具有较大的不确定性。利用信息熵研究了中国降水同位素组成概率分布特征,发现降水氢氧同位素信息熵之间呈现很强的线性关系,且斜率近似为1;对比分析了降水同位素信息熵和其平均值的时空分布特征,发现降水同位素信息熵空间分布可以很好地揭示水汽由海洋向大陆的运移过程,而这一特征并没有反映在降水同位素平均值空间分布上;利用降水同位素信息熵对影响中国的由季风形成的3条水汽通道进行了示踪分析,发现降水同位素信息熵空间分布很好地指示出3条水汽通道的水汽来源和水汽运移路径及其季节变化。     

Impacts of climatic variables on water-level variations in two shallow Eastern Mediterranean lakes

Variations in temperature and precipitation have direct impacts on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the shallow lakes. This paper examines the possible linkages between climate variables and the water levels of shallow interconnected Lakes Mogan and Eymir, located 20 km south of Ankara in Central Anatolia. The variations in the lakes’ water levels during 1996–2015 are studied and the impacts of climate variables on the lake levels are assessed to address the long-term consequences. The nonparametric Mann–Kendall test was used to quantify trends in the climate variables and the lakes’ level fluctuations between the observation periods 1998–2007 and 2008–2014. Statistical analyses results showed that precipitation and temperature have crucial influence on the variations in the lakes’ levels. The projected increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation over the next century may produce substantial decreases in lake levels, with consequent drying of both lakes.     

The Features of Climate Variation and Glacier Response in Mt.Yulong,Southeastern Tibetan Plateau

The Features of climate change in Mt.Yulong, southeasten Tibetan Plateau were analyzed using linear regression, Mann Kendall abrupt test and Morlet wavelet analyses. In addition, the relationship between glacier retreating (Baishui Glacier No.1) and climate warming wasalso analyzed in this study. The main results are showedas follow: ① The annual mean temperature, precipitation have an increasing trend, withinclination rates being 0.15℃/10a and 9.0 mm/10a;annual temperaturedramatically ascend in 1998 with the change values 0.7 ℃; Morlet waveletsin annual temperature andtemperature in dry season mainly have a 10 to 15 year periods,while annual precipitation amount and the precipitation in rainy season presented a quasi 10 year periods. ②Prior to 1998, the important meteorological factor influencing the change of Baishui Glacier No.1 are temperature and precipitation, while in the following years, temperature plays a more important role in affecting its retreat and advance; The main characteristic ofvertical climate change in Mt. Yulong (1982/2009) is that the cold season shortens and temperature rises with elevation, and the maximal value of increased temperature in glacier zone is 2.2~2.5 ℃, resulting in greatly accelerated glacier ablation.     

Future changes in climate extremes over Equatorial East Africa based on CMIP5 multimodel ensemble

This study investigates the variability of extreme rainfall (temperature) events in the twenty-first century based on 18 (24)-member multimodel simulations of models participating in phase 5 of the Couple Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The study employed extreme indices defined by the WMO’s Experts Team on Climate Change Detection Indices, under two radiative forcing scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. Two 30-year time periods, mid- (2021–2050) and end (2071–2100) of the twenty-first century, are considered for investigation of extremes, relative to the baseline period (1961–1990). Mann–Kendall test statistic and Sen’s slope estimator are used to investigate trend. Temperature shows a remarkable increase with an increase in radiative forcing. A sharp augmentation in temperature is projected towards the end of the twenty-first century. There will be almost zero cool days and cold nights by the end of the century. Very wet and extremely very wet days increase, especially over Uganda and western Kenya. Variation in maximum 1-day precipitation (R × 1 day) and maximum 5-day precipitation amount shows a remarkable increase in variance towards the end of the twenty-first century. Although the results are based on relatively coarse resolution data, they give likely conditions that can be utilized in long-term planning and be relied on in advanced studies.     

1954-2009年窟野河流域降水与径流变化趋势分析

通过窟野河流域温家川水文站流量实测数据及神木气象站降水观测数据,运用累计距平法、R／S法、Mann—Kendall趋势检验法分析1954—2009年间温家川水文站以上窟野河流域降水与径流的年内、年际变化特征。结果表明,窟野河流域汛期降水量和径流量分别占全年降水量和径流量的76．6％和59．19％。20世纪50年代至90年代,径流变化过程基本与降水过程一致,但到21世纪初期,径流量出现明显下降趋势,截止到2009年,径流量已减小到1．25×10^8m3。从季节分配上来看,春、夏、秋三季的降水量呈微弱的降低趋势,而冬季降水却以0．04mm／a的趋势递增。通过对1975—2009年的煤炭开采与径流量的相关关系分析表明,虽然在这期间降水量没有明显的衰减,但是窟野河年径流量从20世纪末开始就出现了明显的减少,这主要是煤炭大规模开采等人类工程活动引发的后果。     

Revisited rainfall network design: evaluation of heuristic versus entropy theory methods

Rain gauges are installed to measure pointwise precipitation and provide a comprehensive perspective of its spatiotemporal variations. Selection of an efficient and reliable rainfall monitoring network is a key role to reduce its maintenance and handling cost. The main purpose of the current paper is to compare efficiencies of various network design methods. The applied methods are entropy theory (as probabilistic multi-criteria decision-making) and genetic algorithm (as one of the heuristic methods) with three objective functions. Also, two classical (ordinary kriging; OK) and modern (Bayesian maximum entropy; BME) spatial simulation methods were undertaken to provide a comprehensive spatial simulation of precipitation. The proposed assessment was applied on spatial mean annual precipitation variability in the Namak Lake watershed located in the central part of Iran. The final efficiency of developed network design methods is evaluated in terms of three criteria known as mass estimation error, total error, and spatial bias of estimated rainfall. Based on the results, different network distributions have been proposed by the methods. Despite the reliability of the heuristic approach in nonlinear optimization due to its mathematical principle, the results indicated that the network design based on entropy theory can be used to estimate long-term mean annual precipitation more reliably and accurately. Results of the mass estimation error have shown 78 and 83% superiority of the entropy theory approach from the worst approach obtained from the OK and BME methods, respectively.     

Analysis of daily rainfall concentration in New Zealand

A higher precipitation concentration, represented by greater percentages of the yearly total precipitation in a few very rainy days, has the potential to impact considerably on water resources. In this paper, an investigation of the spatial and temporal patterns of daily precipitation concentration in New Zealand has been carried out by means of a daily precipitation dataset. Results show a different behavior between North Island, with the most critical rainfall concentration, and South Island, where precipitation concentration values on the eastern side are comparable to those of North Island, while the western side presents the lowest values of precipitation concentration. On a seasonal scale, the spatial gradients for summer and autumn are similar to the annual one. The application of the Mann–Kendall test shows a general negative trend detected in the eastern part of North Island, in particular in winter and autumn, and a west/east difference trend in South Island, in particular in winter and summer.     

Trend analysis of hydroclimatological variables in Urmia lake basin using hybrid wavelet Mann–Kendall and Şen tests

This paper investigates monthly, seasonal, and annual trends in rainfall, streamflow, temperature, and humidity amounts at Urmia lake (UL) basin and analyzes the interaction between these variables and UL’s water level fluctuation during the 1971–2013 period. Two new methods including nonparametric hybrid wavelet Mann–Kendall test and ?en’s methodology have been used to determine potential trends in the variables and their dominant periods. The results showed significant decreasing trends in the water level and streamflow series, moderate decreasing trend in the rainfall and relative humidity series, and increasing trends in the observed temperature data. The 8- , 12-month, and 2-year periods were detected as the dominant periods of the variables in monthly, seasonal, and annual timescales, respectively. The results from the interaction analysis revealed that the main factor influencing the water level at UL is decreasing trend in the streamflow series. Both the monthly series of UL’s water level and the streamflow series of the stations indicated two start points of significant decreasing trend in 1973 and 1998. Furthermore, a comparative analysis among the applied methods indicated a good agreement between the results of hybrid wavelet Mann–Kendall test and ?en’s trend analyzing method.     

Spatial and temporal analysis of drought risk during the crop-growing season over northeast China

Northeast China as an important agricultural zone for commercial and economic crop in China suffered from increased drought risk that seriously threatened agricultural production and food security in recent decades. Based on precipitation datasets from 71 stations from 1960 to 2009 and on the reliable statistical methods of the Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope and the Standardized Precipitation Index, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation of drought occurrence during the crop-growing season (from May to September) and summer (from June to August). The results showed that regional mean precipitation during the crop-growing season and summer over the last 40 years has decreased at the rate of ?1.72 and ?1.12 mm/year, respectively. According to timescale analysis of abrupt changes, there were two distinct time series (1965–1983 and 1996–2009) with decreasing precipitation trends at a 95 % confidence level. A comparison between the two time series of these two periods demonstrated that more frequent and more severe drought occurred during 1996–2009. Furthermore, drought risk in recent decades has become even more serious both in severity and in extent. Especially in the crop-growing season of 2001 and summer of 2007, over 25 % (2.0 × 10⁵ km²) of study area experienced severe drought (serious and extreme droughts). Our results highlight the urgent need for the development of effective drought adaptations for cropland over northeast China.     

Intra-annual distribution and decadal change in extreme hydrological events in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

We examined intra-annual characteristics and decadal change of extreme hydrological events occurring from 1901 to 2010 in Xinjiang, China, using concentration degree, concentration index, and Mann–Kendall tests. The results indicated that the concentration index in Xinjiang reached a maximum in summer for all areas, demonstrating that extreme hydrological events occurred mainly during summer (although Altay also showed a high winter concentration index). Intra-annual distribution was most concentrated in Turpan and Urumqi, followed by Kuytun–Shihezi and Aksu, with the concentration degree smallest in Altay. The frequency of extreme hydrological events exhibited an obvious increasing trend from 1901 to 2010, particularly post 1970s. Based on the results obtained in this study, the frequency, magnitude, and intensity of extreme hydrological events are expected to increase over time. In addition, the concentration degree and concentration index used to analyze intra-annual distribution of extreme hydrological events were proven to be reliable and will be useful for future studies.     

Factors triggering landslide occurrence on the Zemun loess plateau,Belgrade area,Serbia

Among the numerous factors that trigger landslide events, the anthropogenic impact caused by inadequate planning and faulty land use in urban areas is increasing. The Zemun settlement on the northern outskirts of Belgrade has experienced a number of landslides in the last three decades, endangering buildings and roads, and claiming human lives, particularly in the case of the 2010/2011 landslides. Selected meteorological parameters were used to calculate rainfall erosivity indices such as Precipitation Concentration Index and Modified Fournier Index over the period 1991–2015. Drought indices, Lang aridity index and Palfai Drought Index were calculated as well. Mann–Kendall trend test was applied to identify potential rising and/or declining trends both in meteorological parameters and calculated indices. Trend analysis of the annual and seasonal scales yielded a statistically significant trend in the spring time series. Stable arid and pronounced drought conditions were recorded. The modified Fournier index based on monthly mean values yields moderate aggressiveness, with several extreme values indicating very high erosivity classes, especially for 2010/2011. The geological substrate is predominantly loess and hence highly susceptible to erosion and slope failure when climatological conditions are suitable. Accelerated urbanization at the end of the last century reduced vegetation cover, intensified pressure on the vertical loess slope, and lacked suitable rain drainage systems so that surface-water runoff was directed into the porous loess, thereby endangering slope stability. We proposed a geomorphic model to describe the nature of the erosional processes on the loess cliffs of the Zemun loess plateau. Results from this study have implications for mitigation strategies.     

Climate extremes related with rainfall in the State of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil: a review of climatological characteristics and recorded trends

This paper presents a synthesis of the main characteristics of precipitation in the State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) based on extreme rainfall indicators. Daily precipitation data are derived from 56 rainfall stations during the second half of the twentieth century and the 2000s. Eight indices related to extreme precipitation were analyzed. The Mann–Kendall nonparametric test and the Sen's Curvature were employed to evaluate the significance and magnitude of trends. The primary climatological aspects and identified trends throughout the last decades are discussed, besides the hydrometeorological impacts associated with them. Lower values of annual total precipitation are recorded in northern Rio de Janeiro (around 800 mm) and higher in the southern State (up to 2,200 mm). The Serra do Mar affects the frequency of heavy precipitation, and the areas near the sea and high relief present the highest values of consecutive days with expressive rainfall (more than 150 mm in 5 days). These areas also showed a high concentration of flood and landslides events. Most of Rio de Janeiro exhibits precipitation intensity of about 13 mm/day. The maximum number of consecutive dry days shows a gradient from the coast (about 30 days) to the State's interior (around 50 days). Regarding trends, there is a growth of accumulated extreme precipitation in various stations near the ocean. The extreme rainfall in 24 h displays an increase in most Rio de Janeiro (+?1 to?+?5 mm/decade). The consecutive dry and rainy days present similar signs of decreasing trends, suggesting irregularly distributed precipitation in the State. This study is especially relevant for decision-makers who need detailed information in the short and long term to prevent natural hazards like floods and landslides and the related impacts in the environmental and socioeconomic sectors of the Rio de Janeiro.

     

Regional changes of climate extremes and its effect on rice yield in Jiangsu province,southeast China

In this study, the regional variations of climate extremes and its possible impact on rice yield in Jiangsu province, southeast China were investigated. A total of 18 climate extremes indices (CEI) of rice-growing period (May–October) based on the daily climate records and rice yield data at 52 stations during 1961–2012 were calculated and analyzed. The main findings were as follows: (1) due to the remarked regional differences of climate extremes, Jiangsu could be divided into six climatic subregions: westernmost, northwest, north, southwest, south, and southeast corner; (2) trends of 18 indices in the six subregions using Mann–Kendall test indicated that Jiangsu was dominated by an obvious wetting and warming tendency, especially in the southern area; (3) correlation analysis between rice yield and CEI using first-difference and climate-induced yield method showed that the negative influences of precipitation extremes were more notable compared to temperature extremes; (4) P95 [precipitation due to very wet days (> 95th percentile)] should be selected as a key meteorological disasters indicator affecting rice yield in the northwest, north, southwest, and south Jiangsu; (5) the increase of P95 since 1990s was detected in most of Jiangsu, which would bring huge risks to rice growing.