Central Asian rivers under climate change: Impacts assessment in eight representative catchments

Eight river catchments within Central Asia. The limited amount of water resources is already an issue in the Asian region, and climate change may be crucial for availability development countries region. This study investigates potential impacts on Asia to end century by focusing eight with diverse natural conditions located different countries. eco-hydrological model SWIM was setup, calibrated validated all selected under study. Scenarios from five bias-corrected GCMs Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 8.5 were used drive hydrological model. results show increase mean annual temperature both RCPs century. projected changes precipitation indicate a clear trend Zhabay decrease Murghab catchments, other they smaller. trends discharge are similar those precipitation, north south Seasonal characterized shift peak up one month, shortage snow accumulation period, reduction summer months.