Untangling the implications of climate-forcing and human-induced drivers in streamflow variability: the Magdalena River, Colombia

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive study was conducted to analyse the impact of different drivers on streamflow downstream of the Magdalena River (MR), Colombia, between 1971 and 2020. The study considered El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events as a climate-forcing driver and evaporation from the reservoir network as a human-induced driver. Streamflow data was linked to previously categorized ENSO events, then standardized and classified based on date and year to evaluate inter- and intra-annual changes in streamflow. Daily evaporation losses were calculated using meteorological records and the aerodynamic method. The study also grouped 10-year periods of evaporation and streamflow to assess their ranges, rates, and water volumes. The results showed a decrease in means, volume, and maximum streamflow, while evaporation and minimum streamflow increased, especially during positive ENSOs. These changes in streamflow could have a significant impact on river-dominated dependent ecosystems, such as the MR downstream wetland complex, putting these ecosystems at risk.

KEYWORDS:

• Magdalena River
• ENSO
• reservoir evaporation
• streamflow variability
• climate-forcing driver
• human-induced driver

Editor A. Fiori; Associate Editor X. Sun

Editor A. Fiori; Associate Editor X. Sun

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).