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Coherent Streamflow Variability in Monsoon Asia Over the Past Eight Centuries—Links to Oceanic Drivers
Author(s) -
Nguyen Hung T. T.,
Turner Sean W. D.,
Buckley Brendan M.,
Galelli Stefano
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2020wr027883
Subject(s) - streamflow , teleconnection , monsoon , east asian monsoon , climatology , climate change , monsoon of south asia , environmental science , geography , oceanography , geology , drainage basin , el niño southern oscillation , cartography
Abstract The Monsoon Asia region is home to ten of the world's biggest rivers, supporting the lives of 1.7 billion people who rely on streamflow for water, energy, and food. Yet a synthesized understanding of multicentennial streamflow variability for this region is lacking. To fill this gap, we produce the first large scale streamflow reconstruction over Monsoon Asia (62 stations in 16 countries, 813 years of mean annual flow). In making this reconstruction, we develop a novel, automated, climate‐informed, and dynamic reconstruction framework that is skillful over most of the region. We show that streamflow in Monsoon Asia is spatially coherent, owing to common drivers from the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. We also show how these oceanic teleconnections change over space and time. By characterizing past and present hydroclimatic variability, we provide a platform for assessing the impact of future climatic changes and informing water management decisions.