Projections of hydrology in the Tocantins-Araguaia Basin, Brazil: uncertainty assessment using the CMIP5 ensemble

• Published in: Hydrological sciences journal 2016-02, Vol.61 (3), p.551-567
• Main Authors: Ho, Joon Ting, Thompson, Julian R., Brierley, Chris
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climate change; CMIP5; Freshwater; hydrological modelling; Hydrology; Tocantins-Araguaia Basin; uncertainty
• ISSN: 0262-6667; 2150-3435
• DOI: 10.1080/02626667.2015.1057513

A semi-distributed hydrological model is developed, calibrated and validated against unregulated river discharge from the Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin, northern Brazil. Climate change impacts are simulated using projections from the 41 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 climate models for the period 2071-2100 under the RCP4.5 scenario. Scenario results are compared to a 1971-2000 base line. Most climate models suggest declines in mean annual discharge although some predict increases. A large proportion suggest that the dry season experiences large declines in discharge, especially during the transition to the rising water period. Most models (>75%) suggest declines in annual minimum flows. This may have major implications for both current and planned hydropower schemes. There is greater uncertainty in projected changes in wet season and annual maximum discharges. Two techniques are investigated to reduce uncertainty in projections, but neither is able to provide more confidence in the simulated changes in discharge. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis Associate editor F. Hattermann