A recent paper published by Laurent et al. in Nature illustrates the likely impact of climatic change on the hydrology of the Mont Blanc Massif region.
The authors argue that by 2100, the impact of climate change on the cryosphere and hydrosphere in the Alps is expected to lead to a decrease in annual river discharge, but with seasonal change – namely increases in winter discharge of up to 80% and summer decreases of 40%.
Such shifts in discharge patterns will have significant downstream impacts on water quantity and quality, affecting hydroelectric generation, agriculture, forestry, tourism and aquatic ecosystems.
The paper can be accessed here.
