The Effects of Climate Change and Drought on the Morphology, Qualitative Changes, and Regime of rivers and Wetlands

Abstract

Climate change, in conjunction with extended droughts, is dramatically altering the form and function of riverine and wetland ecosystems worldwide. These effects are manifested through the physical modification of river morphology, including channel incision, sedimentation, and bank erosion, and through the extreme alteration of the hydrological regimes that govern seasonal flow patterns and wetland inundation cycles. Heightened evaporation and precipitation decrease streamflow and groundwater recharge, leading to fragmented aquatic habitats, high salinity, and poor water quality. Contaminant buildup during low-flow and high-temperature water periods enhances potential for eutrophication, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. Wetlands as a critical hydrological network buffer are especially vulnerable, relying as they do on continuous water inputs to sustain vegetation, enable wildlife, and provide ecosystem services such as flood control and water filtration. Such changes are not unidimensional and often vary by geography, climatic zone, and watershed characteristics. Use of remote sensing technology, coupled hydrological-sediment models, and adaptive ecosystem management strategies is becoming ever more essential to mitigate and monitor climate-induced stress. The following article synthesizes existing knowledge on the effects of drought and climate variability on river and wetland ecosystems through empirical case studies and state-of-the-art interdisciplinary models. It emphasizes proactive, evidence-based, and context-specific solutions that aim to preserve ecological integrity and resilience of these interconnected systems in the face of increasing climatic pressures.