Compound Eco-Hydrological eXtremes (CompEHX)

Extremes in ecological and hydrological systems often co-occur. For instance, unusually high rates in evapotranspiration, i.e. the water sustaining vegetation and terrestrial ecosystems, can contribute to deficits in streamflow. Moreover, streamflow droughts often result in negative effects on river ecosystems, mainly through reduced water quantity and quality. Climatic change can further exacerbate the occurrence of such compound eco-hydrological extremes. Yet, these events are still poorly understood.

The project CompEHX will study various eco-hydrological drivers of streamflow droughts (i.e., precipitation deficits, and anomalies in evapotranspiration and in the water stored in snow, soil moisture, and groundwater), and their spatio-temporal variability. Furthermore, the project will explore the co-occurrence of streamflow droughts and ecologically-relevant extremes in water quality parameters. To this end, the project will perform data-based analyses, with particular emphasis on mountainous regions in Europe.