Estimation of climatic and anthropogenic contributions to streamflow change in southern Romania

This research investigated the contributions of climate- and human-induced change to streamflow alteration between 1966 and 2010 in four catchments in southern Romania (Vedea, Arge., Ialomita and Buzau). We examined trends and break points in streamflow, precipitation and potential evapotranspiration and we estimated climate elasticity with Fu's equation within the Budyko framework to further separate the contributions of climate and human changes to streamflow alterations. Results showed break points in streamflow in all catchments between 1981 and 1985, followed by decreases in average annual streamflow that varied between -28.1% and -53.4%. Most of the streamflow decline was found to be due to climate contribution: 63.1% in Arge. (the most anthropized catchment), 71.2% in Buzau, 79.2% in Ialomita and 80.2% in Vedea basin. Due to the environmental changes impacting water resources in Romania, estimating the contribution of the main drivers of streamflow change is highly important for their sustainable management.