Issar A.S. (Ed.) Climate Changes during the Holocene and their Impact on Hydrological Systems

Cambrige, Jerusalem: Cambrige University Press, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2003. — 127 p.It is now widely accepted that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are affecting the Earth’s radiation balance, resulting in higher global atmospheric temperatures. However, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the likely effects of such a temperature rise on climate, and even more about the impacts of climate change and variability on the world’s hydrological regimes and socio-economic systems.
Studying the effects of climate variability in the past can give clues regarding possible future effects. This volume provides a comprehensive review of the effects of climate variability on hydrological and human systems in the Holocene (approximately the last 10,000 years of pre-history and history), in various parts of the world. The book concentrates on the regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the east and north, the western and central parts of Europe, China, Japan, west and south Africa and the southwestern USA. The main conclusion is that global warming will bring about a decrease in precipitation in the regions dominated by the westerlies (Mediterranean climates) and an increase in precipitation in the monsoon (sub-tropical and tropical climates) regions.
Climate Changes during the Holocene and their Impact on Hydrological Systems will be of value to researchers and professionals in hydrology, climatology, geology and historical geography.