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Climate impacts on water reservoirs and coastal processes: integrating big data, physically based modeling and remote sensing
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.16796
Publikationstyp
Doctoral Thesis
Date Issued
2026
Sprache
English
Author(s)
Advisor
Referee
Title Granting Institution
Technische Universität Hamburg
Place of Title Granting Institution
Hamburg
Examination Date
2026-02-23
Institute
TORE-DOI
Citation
Technische Universität Hamburg (2026)
Hydrological systems are highly dynamic, shaped by the complex interplay of atmospheric and climatic conditions and they, in turn, profoundly influence the environment. This dissertation investigates the bidirectional interaction between climate and water systems, employing an interdisciplinary approach that integrates big data analytics, physically-based modeling and remote sensing. By analyzing diverse hydrological systems across different scales and geographical contexts, this work contributes to understanding how atmospheric variability drives changes in hydrological systems and their subsequent environmental impacts. The first study examines the inland migration of coastal wetlands under projected sea level rise (SLR). It highlights the challenges posed by human-made barriers that inhibit natural wetland adaptation, leading to noteworthy ecosystem loss, particularly in regions like the Wadden Sea. This work underscores the necessity of considering both natural and anthropogenic constraints in climate adaptation strategies. The second study explores land loss implications of SLR along Colombia's coasts, under various climate change scenarios. It identifies socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities in regions at risk, emphasizing the compounded challenges faced by coastal communities due to rising seas and extreme weather events. The findings call for targeted policies that address local and regional dynamics in mitigating the effects of climate change. The third study focuses on evaporation dynamics in the largest reservoirs located in water-stressed regions. By employing a physically-based modeling framework combined with remote sensing data, the study quantifies evaporative losses and their implications for water management. It provides actionable insights into optimizing reservoir operations to reduce water loss and sustain ecological and hydrological balance in a warming climate. The fourth study narrows in on the Helmand River Basin shared by Afghanistan and Iran, where reservoir evaporation interacts with regional scarcity and transboundary tensions. By combining satellite observations with hydrological modeling, the research demonstrates how evaporative losses influence basin-scale water balances, contribute to atmospheric moisture recycling, and intensify political challenges between riparian states. Together, these studies reveal the intricate interdependencies between climate systems and water bodies, offering a comprehensive framework to predict, analyze and mitigate the impacts of climatic variability. This work not only advances scientific understanding but also informs policy, management and governance strategies essential for addressing global water and environmental challenges.
Subjects
Hydrology
Sea Level Rise
Wetlands
Climate Change
DDC Class
551: Geology, Hydrology Meteorology
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Thesis_Final_DOI.pdf
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62 MB
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