Changes in Precipitation-Runoff Relationship in Six Catchments of the Adriatic Coast of Central Italy

Besides climate change, human activities may introduce variability in the flow regime. Thus, investigation of the impacts of climate change and human activity on hydrology recently has become an important issue. In this paper hydrological data of six catchments in the coastal area of the Adriatic sea, in central Italy, were used to detect statistically significant trends and change points in annual rainfall and streamflow. Moreover, potential changes in precipitation-runoff relationship have been investigated and finally a quantitative evaluation of the effect of climate variability and human activities on runoff has been assessed separately, with the former individuated as the more influent.