Impact of Reservoirs on Local Precipitation-Temperature Coupling Relationships

Abstract

Reservoirs are an essential part of modern society, serving a variety of critical functions while exerting an uncertain and debatable impact on the surrounding climate and environment. The precipitation-temperature coupling relationship and the associated compound extreme events are critical climatic factors for humans and ecosystems, but how reservoirs would affect these factors is unknown. Here, we found that sites near reservoirs had higher sensitivity of precipitation extremes to temperature increases, as well as an increased frequency of compound precipitation-temperature extreme events, based on a global-scale analysis of reservoir and meteorological observations and a paired comparison approach. Additionally, these reservoir climate effects are closely correlated with reservoir size and are more pronounced in warm-dry climates. It highlights the potential climate risks associated with reservoirs which have important implications for strengthening a community's resilience in the face of these challenges.