The adaptation of land-use patterns is an essential aspect of minimising the impact of climate change at regional and local scales; for example, adapting watershed land-use patterns to mitigate the impact of climate change on a region’s hydrology. The aim of this study is to simulate and assess a region’s ability to adapt to hydrological changes by modifying land-use patterns in the Wu-Du watershed in northern Taiwan. A hydrological GWLF (Generalised Watershed Loading Functions) model is used to simulate three hydrological components - runoff, groundwater and streamflow - based on various land-use scenarios under six global climate models. The study finds that the effects of climate change on groundwater and runoff can be mitigated by modifying current land-use patterns and slowing the rate of urbanisation. Therefore, the study concludes that land-use adaptation on a local/regional scale provides an alternative way to reduce the impacts of climate change on local hydrology.

Publication date
Type of publication
Document
Objective
Mitigation
Collection
Eldis
Sectors
Agriculture and forestry
CTCN Keyword Matches
Land use limitations
Watershed conservation