The effects of climate change on hydrological extremes along rivers in Flanders’, In: “Bridges over Troubled Waters

Abstract

For centuries, decision makers and water resources managers have used climate information to design systems that protect the livelihoods of the population. The recent resurgence of floods and droughts in Europe has, however, called into question the robustness of the existing infrastructure such as the sewer systems for urban drainage and the flood control systems. It is not obvious why this resurgence is occurring. The resurgence could be attributed to anthropogenic changes, climate change, climate variability or a combination of factors. It is certain that decision makers and water managers need to recognize the fact that relying entirely on past observations for design purposes is no longer advisable. It is important to look into the studies of climate variability and change for some clues on how to accommodate the alterations in the environment.status: publishe