Wandel der Niederschlagsverhältnisse im Lee des Harzes: Indikatoren eines regionalen Klimawandels?

Abstract

Fabig, Ilka: Changing precipitation leeward of the Harz Mts. - Indicators of a regional climate change. – Hercynia N.F. 40 (2007): 33-39.The global average surface temperature has increased during the 20th century. Subsequent effects of climate change vary regionally and seasonal and moved the consideration of regional impacts to the center of interest. Precipitation is a highly variable climate element in time and space with serious economic and ecological weight. The “Mitteldeutsches Trockengebiet” with its already tense regional water regime faces radical future changes. The aims of the study, a detailed stock-taking of rainfall data with regard to their spatial and temporal pattern was accomplished with a statistical evaluation of long-term precipitation data. The essential result of the study is the detection of an annual change in precipitation, which is characterized by more humid conditions in winter and drier summers. The shorter observation periods show different trends of precipitation. In summary it can be ascertained, that particularily for the investigation area, precipitation is the most limiting climate factor.