CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Bonsal, B.R.; Pietroniro, A.; and Prowse, T.D.
Date : 2002.
Title : An assessment of GCM-simulated current climate over the Western Cordillera of Canada.
Publication : Annual Meeting of the Canadian Geophysical Union. May 18-21, 2002, Banff, Alberta.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The western cordillera is an extremely important hydrologic region since runoff from this area impacts both alpine and downstream (e.g. Canadian Prairies; Peace-Athabasca Delta) water resources. Future climate change is expected to significantly alter both the amount and timing of this runoff, however, precise changes over various regions within the cordillera remain uncertain. To obtain a better understanding of these potential future hydrologic conditions, reliable projections of future climate are required. At present, GCMs are the best means of obtaining future climate projections over large-scale regions such as the western cordillera. There are several GCMs from which to choose, however, an important criteria for selection involves the ability of the GCM to simulate current climate over the region in question. This investigation assesses seven GCMs (as recommended by the IPCC) in their ability to simulate current (1961- 90) temperature and precipitation over the western cordillera region of Canada. Observed data consist of two separate gridded data sets over the study area. Values from all models and observations are firstly interpolated to a common grid. Differences between modelled and observed temperature, daily temperature range, and precipitation are then compared on a monthly basis over various hydroclimatic regions within the study area. Based on this assessment, the best GCM(s) are selected to construct regional hydrologic scenarios of future climate change over the western cordillera.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology