| Title | Evaluation of flow regime in mediterranean streams using flashiness index |
| Abstract | In the Mediterranean region, precipitation is characterised by a high spatial and temporal variability; this has a great influence on the flow regime and extreme flow events of a stream. Flow regime, in rum, has multiple impacts on erosion and sediment delivery, non-point source pollutant transport and biological communities inhabiting a stream. This paper presents a study aimed at analysing the flow change rates of a number of Mediterranean streams using the Richards-Baker (R-B) Flashiness Index, which measures streamflow variations in response to rainfall events. The flashiness is affected by some basin characteristics: climate, topography, land use, management, soil type, and other factors. The R-B Index values were then related to watershed size, location and baseflow discharge. They were compared to the Aridity Index of the area, and the daily flow variation coefficient. The authors report that the R-B Index values in the studied basins, generally, show an increase over time. The intermittent rivers studied present a considerable inter-annual variation of this index, together with mean annual values higher than the permanent rivers studied. In the southern Mediterranean area, the rivers assume higher values of R-B Index than those located in the northern area. Streams draining small watersheds show a very flashy character, indicating a very quick response to rainfall. These results suggest further investigation to analyse flood events. |
| Source | XXI Century Watershed Technology, Conception (Cile), 29/3-4/4 2008 |
| Keywords | Aridity indexB-indexBaseflowsBasin characteristicsBiological communityExtreme flowsFlashiness indexFlood eventFlow changesFlow regimesFlow variationsInterannual variationIntermittent riversMediterranean areasMediterranean regionMediterranean streamsMultiple impactNon-point source pollutantsQuick responseRainfall eventSediment deliverySmall watershedsSoil typesSpatial and temporal variabilityStreams drainingFlow of waterLand useLandformsSedimentsWater pollutionWater qualityWatershedsRivers |
| Year | 2008 |
| Type | Contributo in atti di convegno |
| Authors | De Girolamo, A.M.a and Lo Porto, A.a and Abouabdillah, A.a b and De Luca, D.a b and Santese, G.a b |
| Text | 265856 2008 Scopus 2 s2.0 70349971585 Aridity index B index Baseflows Basin characteristics Biological community Extreme flows Flashiness index Flood event Flow changes Flow regimes Flow variations Interannual variation Intermittent rivers Mediterranean areas Mediterranean region Mediterranean streams Multiple impact Non point source pollutants Quick response Rainfall event Sediment delivery Small watersheds Soil types Spatial and temporal variability Streams draining Flow of water Land use Landforms Sediments Water pollution Water quality Watersheds Rivers Evaluation of flow regime in mediterranean streams using flashiness index De Girolamo, A.M.a and Lo Porto, A.a and Abouabdillah, A.a b and De Luca, D.a b and Santese, G.a b Water Research Institute, Italian National Research Council, I.R.S.A. C.N.R, 5 Via F. De Blasio, 70125, Bari, Italy; University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy In the Mediterranean region, precipitation is characterised by a high spatial and temporal variability; this has a great influence on the flow regime and extreme flow events of a stream. Flow regime, in rum, has multiple impacts on erosion and sediment delivery, non point source pollutant transport and biological communities inhabiting a stream. This paper presents a study aimed at analysing the flow change rates of a number of Mediterranean streams using the Richards Baker R B Flashiness Index, which measures streamflow variations in response to rainfall events. The flashiness is affected by some basin characteristics climate, topography, land use, management, soil type, and other factors. The R B Index values were then related to watershed size, location and baseflow discharge. They were compared to the Aridity Index of the area, and the daily flow variation coefficient. The authors report that the R B Index values in the studied basins, generally, show an increase over time. The intermittent rivers studied present a considerable inter annual variation of this index, together with mean annual values higher than the permanent rivers studied. In the southern Mediterranean area, the rivers assume higher values of R B Index than those located in the northern area. Streams draining small watersheds show a very flashy character, indicating a very quick response to rainfall. These results suggest further investigation to analyse flood events. 9781605607894 http //www.scopus.com/inward/record.url eid=2 s2.0 70349971585 partnerID=40 md5=f968c15b6aa898163fd87a0c391549d9 cited By since 1996 0; Conference of org.apache.xalan.xsltc.dom.DOMAdapter@3a44e05e ; Conference Date org.apache.xalan.xsltc.dom.DOMAdapter@7fe65934 Through org.apache.xalan.xsltc.dom.DOMAdapter@6beaa685; Conference Code 77577 XXI Century Watershed Technology Conception Cile 29/3 4/4 2008 Internazionale Contributo Contributo in atti di convegno antonio.loporto LO PORTO ANTONIO annamaria.degirolamo DE GIROLAMO ANNA MARIA TA.P04.005.006 Gestione a scala di bacino delle risorse idriche e sostenibilita dell uso irriguo in agricoltura |
