Stream Temperature Trends in Turkey

Abstract

Stream temperature is an important property of water and affects most other water quality constituents. It is also a property which is very much influenced by exogenous factors like air temperature and stream flow. This study investigates long-term trends in stream temperatures measured at various stream monitoring stations in Turkey to better understand links with climate change. It was found by statistical trend analysis that more streams have experienced decreasing trends than increasing ones. Moreover, stream temperatures show a rising tendency in most stations over Turkey. Flow-adjusted temperatures were computed to eliminate flow dependency and these show more positive than negative trends. Management plans of streams and watersheds need to take this into account and incorporate the implications into plans.