What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate recent changes in the form, function, and distribution of daily streamflow across global river systems over multiple decades.

December 12, 2024Science

More flow upstream and less flow downstream: The changing form and function of global rivers

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To evaluate recent changes in the form, function, and distribution of daily streamflow across global river systems over multiple decades.
Mapped daily streamflow from 1984 to 2018 across approximately 2.9 million rivers globally.
Quantified longitudinal shifts between headwaters and downstream river outlets using high-resolution spatial modeling.
Headwaters were 1.7 times more likely to experience significant increases in flow than decreases, whereas river outlets were dominated by significant decreases in flow.
Approximately 29% of the global land surface experienced a significant upstream shift in streamflow.
Small streams exhibited an approximate 5% increase in stream power (erosion potential), an approximate 42% increase in 100-year floods, and altered seasonal flow regimes.

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Implication

Global hydrological modeling reveals shifting streamflow from river outlets to headwaters, indicating heightened flood risks and altered fluvial dynamics across worldwide basins.

Cite This Study

Feng et al. (2024) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69decba9488ed2d92be93ec3 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adl5728

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Implication

Global hydrological modeling reveals shifting streamflow from river outlets to headwaters, indicating heightened flood risks and altered fluvial dynamics across worldwide basins.

More flow upstream and less flow downstream: The changing form and function of global rivers

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

More flow upstream and less flow downstream: The changing form and function of global rivers

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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