UNDERSTANDING STREAMFLOW CHALLENGES AND FLOOD RISKS WITHIN INTERMITTENT RIVERS AND EPHEMERAL STREAMS IN CYPRUS

Previous studies highlight the importance of wet and dry periods over rainfall intensity and volume on streamflow regimes within intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), particularly in arid and semi-arid climates. The country of Cyprus has a xeric moisture regime and related, pronounced seasonality of precipitation. As a result, a significant proportion of the total river channel in Cyprus is classified as IRES leading to increased vulnerability to ongoing changes in climate. Specifically, consistently low levels of antecedent soil moisture and maximum potential evapotranspiration levels during wet periods results in a debt of soil moisture that should prevent runoff events. However, the flashiness of IRES in Cyprus is high, with flood events occurring commonly during the wet season likely as a result of minimal vegetative cover due to the constraints provided by the dry season. Here, we examine historical floods and identified areas of significant risk as predominantly along IRES channels. The flooding of these rivers combined with the soil moisture characteristics of Cyprus result in the activity of IRES streams to be challenging to predict. The conflicting risks of current and future streamflow loss and flooding within IRES raises cause for concern. These dual threats must be addressed simultaneously to ensure the preservation and health of Cypriot water bodies.