Hydrology in tropical australia and papua new guinea

Abstract

As the northern third of the country lies above the Tropic of Capricorn, Australia has a large area subjected to tropical influences. Northern Australia and neighbouring Papua New Guinea provide considerable contrasts hydrologically. The meteorological and climatological reasons for producing one of the most variable rainfall and runoff regimes in the world (in Australia) and one of the wettest and least variable regimes (in Papua New Guinea) are discussed. The spatial distribution and variability of rainfall, evaporation and runoff (streamflow) are considered in relation to the seasonal rainfall-producing mechanisms (including tropical cyclones in the case of Australia) and topography (which is a controlling influence in Papua New Guinea). Practical needs for determining hydrological characteristics in the region are outlined together with an assessment of the status of hydrology with respect to these needs. Current applications to water resources development and management are discussed. © 1984 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.