IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGES ON HYDROLOGIC BALANCE: A CASE STUDY OF VOCHA PLAIN, KORINTHIA

The aim of this study is to evaluate climate model hydrological parameters in comparison to recorded hydrological data and estimate the impacts of climate change on water balance. For this purpose, a combination of climate model precipitation and temperature data and Thornthwaite method was applied for the period 1988-2000 and the future periods 2028-2040, 2058-2070 and 2088 2100. The application of this combination was carried out in a coastal region in Southeastern part of Korinthiakos Gulf (southern Greece). The area is suitable for this target, because it is characterized by urbanization, intensive agriculture and tourism development, with increasing water demands. The evaluation of climate model parameters in comparison to observed data shows that the RegCM3 model is a reliable model. According to the future projections and the Thornthwaite method, the real evapotranspiration is estimated to increase, as a result precipitation decrease and temperature increase