Climate Projections on Estimating Water Balance in Havrias River Basin, Greece

Abstract

Climate change is expected to impose current pressure on waterresources. The aim of this study is to estimate the water balance byprojecting the future changes in the 21st century. For this reason,climate model hydrological parameters were evaluating using re-analysisprecipitation and temperature data. The Representative ConcentrationPathways (RCP4.5 and RCP 8.5) were used for the future projections. Theproposed research was applied in Havrias river basin in Halkidiki (NorthGreece). The study area is suitable for this purpose, because it ischaracterized by increasing water demands due to intensive agricultureand tourism development. Climate model results showed an increase inprecipitation, temperature and evapotranspiration. Consequently, thewater balance is expected to be influenced by the shifts in climateparameters.