Articles | Volume 20, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1331-2016
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-20-1331-2016
Research article
 | 
05 Apr 2016
Research article |  | 05 Apr 2016

Impacts of climate change under CMIP5 RCP scenarios on the streamflow in the Dinder River and ecosystem habitats in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Amir K. Basheer, Haishen Lu, Abubaker Omer, Abubaker B. Ali, and Abdeldime M. S. Abdelgader

Abstract. The fate of seasonal river ecosystem habitats under climate change essentially depends on the changes in annual recharge of the river, which are related to alterations in precipitation and evaporation over the river basin. Therefore, the change in climate conditions is expected to significantly affect hydrological and ecological components, particularly in fragmented ecosystems. This study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on the streamflow in the Dinder River basin (DRB) and to infer its relative possible effects on the Dinder National Park (DNP) ecosystem habitats in Sudan. Four global circulation models (GCMs) from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 and two statistical downscaling approaches combined with a hydrological model (SWAT – the Soil and Water Assessment Tool) were used to project the climate change conditions over the study periods 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s. The results indicated that the climate over the DRB will become warmer and wetter under most scenarios. The projected precipitation variability mainly depends on the selected GCM and downscaling approach. Moreover, the projected streamflow is quite sensitive to rainfall and temperature variation, and will likely increase in this century. In contrast to drought periods during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, the predicted climate change is likely to affect ecosystems in DNP positively and promote the ecological restoration for the habitats of flora and fauna.

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Short summary
We assess the impact of future climate change on Dinder River streamflow (Sudan), and infer its relative possible effects on the Dinder National Park (DNP) ecosystem habitats. Four GCMs from CMIP5 and two statistical downscaling approaches combined with SWAT were used. Climate over the basin will become warmer and wetter and streamflow will likely increase; accordingly, the ecosystems in the DNP will be affected positively and promote the ecological restoration of the flora and fauna habitats.