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5th Symposium · 2011

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5th International Symposium on Large Asian Rivers

7–8 November 2011 · Nanjing, China

Climate Change and Hydropower Development

Climate change and uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water resources (e.g. river flow) in larger Asian River basins are issues of considerable concern. Recent research has revealed that increasing temperatures in some of the larger Asian river basins have intensified the water cycle and aggravated water related natural hazards. Meanwhile, human interventions through regulating temporal and spatial distribution of water resources with water transfer schemes and the construction of large reservoirs and dams for hydropower generation have been increased.

Some of the larger Asian river basins have recently experienced catastrophic hydro-meteorological events such as the extreme flooding in the Indus Basin in Pakistan in July/August 2010, and the extreme droughts in southwest and northeast China in 2010 and in the middle and lower Yangtze River basin in 2011. Climate change was partially blamed for these extreme events, to which human activities like land use changes, watershed management and dams construction also contributed. Impacts on the hydrological system and water resources are projected to be more severe in the future, due to increased frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, intensified erosion and sedimentation, expanding water scarcity, reductions in glaciers, sea ice and snow cover, damages to water quality, and pollution of entire ecosystems.

More environmental changes in larger Asian river basins have been foreseen as a result of the rapid economic and hydropower development. This symposium will provide an opportunity for international academics, scholars, engineers and decision makers to exchange the latest research in these fields. During a field excursion, the participants of this symposium will have an opportunity to experience the changes and developments in climatic and hydrologic conditions, and hydropower generation, as well as the related impacts in the Jingshajiang and Lancang (Mekong River) basins in Yunnan Province, China.

The topics of this symposium include, but are not limited to 1) Current and future climate change in larger Asian river basins, 2) Impact of climate change on river flow and sediment discharge, 3) Effects of hydropower development on the climatic, 4) hydrological and ecological environment of the watersheds, 5) Interactions of climate change with human activities (e.g. land use, reservoirs and dam construction, water diversion, and sand mining) and their impacts on climatic and hydrologic processes.

This symposium was jointly organized by National Climate Centre (NCC), German International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanjing Institute of Geography & Limnlogy Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), and Nanjing University of Information Technology (NUIST).

The symposium was held on November 7-8, 2011 in Nanjing, China

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