A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand

Abstract Hydrologic intensity is often quantified using precipitation without directly incorporating atmospheric water demand. We develop a hydrologic intensity index called the surplus deficit intensity (SDI) index that accounts for variation in supply and demand. SDI is the standardized sum of sta...

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Main Authors: Darren L. Ficklin, John T. Abatzoglou, Kimberly A. Novick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-07-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084015
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author Darren L. Ficklin
John T. Abatzoglou
Kimberly A. Novick
author_facet Darren L. Ficklin
John T. Abatzoglou
Kimberly A. Novick
author_sort Darren L. Ficklin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Hydrologic intensity is often quantified using precipitation without directly incorporating atmospheric water demand. We develop a hydrologic intensity index called the surplus deficit intensity (SDI) index that accounts for variation in supply and demand. SDI is the standardized sum of standardized surplus intensity (mean of daily surplus when supply > demand) and deficit time (mean of consecutive days when demand > supply). Using an observational ensemble of global daily precipitation and atmospheric water demand during 1979–2017, we document widespread hydrologic intensification (SDI; +0.11 z‐score per decade) driven primarily by increased surplus intensity. Using a climate model ensemble of the United States, hydrologic intensification is projected for the mid‐21st century (+0.86 in z‐score compared to 1971–2000), producing greater apparent intensification when compared to an index that does not explicitly incorporate demand. While incorporating demand had a minor effect on observed hydrologic intensification, it doubles hydrological intensification for the mid‐21st century.
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spelling doaj-art-e940dae617784e99a1572bb04c0c55442025-08-20T03:10:21ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072019-07-0146148114812410.1029/2019GL084015A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water DemandDarren L. Ficklin0John T. Abatzoglou1Kimberly A. Novick2Department of Geography Indiana University Bloomington IN USADepartment of Geography University of Idaho Moscow ID USAO'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University Bloomington IN USAAbstract Hydrologic intensity is often quantified using precipitation without directly incorporating atmospheric water demand. We develop a hydrologic intensity index called the surplus deficit intensity (SDI) index that accounts for variation in supply and demand. SDI is the standardized sum of standardized surplus intensity (mean of daily surplus when supply > demand) and deficit time (mean of consecutive days when demand > supply). Using an observational ensemble of global daily precipitation and atmospheric water demand during 1979–2017, we document widespread hydrologic intensification (SDI; +0.11 z‐score per decade) driven primarily by increased surplus intensity. Using a climate model ensemble of the United States, hydrologic intensification is projected for the mid‐21st century (+0.86 in z‐score compared to 1971–2000), producing greater apparent intensification when compared to an index that does not explicitly incorporate demand. While incorporating demand had a minor effect on observed hydrologic intensification, it doubles hydrological intensification for the mid‐21st century.https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084015hydrologic cycleprecipitationevapotranspirationclimate change
spellingShingle Darren L. Ficklin
John T. Abatzoglou
Kimberly A. Novick
A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
Geophysical Research Letters
hydrologic cycle
precipitation
evapotranspiration
climate change
title A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
title_full A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
title_fullStr A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
title_full_unstemmed A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
title_short A New Perspective on Terrestrial Hydrologic Intensity That Incorporates Atmospheric Water Demand
title_sort new perspective on terrestrial hydrologic intensity that incorporates atmospheric water demand
topic hydrologic cycle
precipitation
evapotranspiration
climate change
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL084015
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