Ebook: Global and Regional Climate Interaction: The Caspian Sea Experience

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water both in area and volume. Its drainage area is approximately 3. 5 million square kilometers, extending 2500 km in length, 35°N to 600N, and on average 1000 km wide, 400E 0 to 60E (Fig. 1). Located in a large continental depression about 27 m below sea level and with no surface outlets, the Caspian Sea is particularly sensitive to climatic variations. As with other closed-basin lakes, its level depends on the balance between precipitation and evaporation, which is directly linked to atmospheric circulation. Because of its large area and volume of water, the Caspian Sea effectively. filters climatic noise, and as such may serve as a good indicator of climatic changes through observed changes in its water level. Recently, the Caspian Sea has come under increased attention from physical and social scientists owing to its unique natural characteristics as well as the' very important role it plays in the ecoriomil:!s of such countries as Azerbaijan" Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. Dissolution of the Soviet Union and creation of new independent states resulted in difficult negotiations to divide the wealth of the Caspian Sea and to establish new economic zones. According to one assessment (Ratkovich, 1988), the Caspian Sea basin accounted for about one-third of the total economic output, one-fifth of the agricultural production, and one-third of the hydroelectric production of the former Soviet Union.

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The problem of global and regional climate interactions is receiving increased attention in light of anticipated global warming and its possible environmental and societal consequences. The Caspian Sea Basin is a region where such consequences may be particularly significant. This book traces the complex linkages between climatic changes in the Caspian Sea Basin and global climatic processes.
The main focus of this study is the Caspian Sea level (CSL). An unusual rise in the CSL that occurred after 1977 has significantly affected the economy of the region. The question is whether this rise is an indication of anthropogenic global warming, or if it has natural causes. This study is an attempt to identify mechanisms linking the CSL with large-scale processes in the ocean and atmosphere. Emphasis is on interannual and decadal time scales, while longer-term climatic variations are also considered. The final chapter discusses possible changes in the CSL under conditions of greenhouse gas-induced global warming.
The book will be of interest to a wide range of scientists working in the fields of hydrology, climatology, meteorology, and environmental science, as well as resource managers and policymakers concerned with climate impacts on water resources and sea level.

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The problem of global and regional climate interactions is receiving increased attention in light of anticipated global warming and its possible environmental and societal consequences. The Caspian Sea Basin is a region where such consequences may be particularly significant. This book traces the complex linkages between climatic changes in the Caspian Sea Basin and global climatic processes.
The main focus of this study is the Caspian Sea level (CSL). An unusual rise in the CSL that occurred after 1977 has significantly affected the economy of the region. The question is whether this rise is an indication of anthropogenic global warming, or if it has natural causes. This study is an attempt to identify mechanisms linking the CSL with large-scale processes in the ocean and atmosphere. Emphasis is on interannual and decadal time scales, while longer-term climatic variations are also considered. The final chapter discusses possible changes in the CSL under conditions of greenhouse gas-induced global warming.
The book will be of interest to a wide range of scientists working in the fields of hydrology, climatology, meteorology, and environmental science, as well as resource managers and policymakers concerned with climate impacts on water resources and sea level.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vii
Introduction....Pages 1-10
Seasonal and Longer-Term Changes of Climatic Characteristics in the Caspian Sea Basin....Pages 11-57
The Caspian Sea and Climatic Processes in the Northern Hemisphere....Pages 58-111
Forecasting the Caspian Sea Level....Pages 112-153
Caspian Sea Level and Anticipated Global Warming....Pages 154-195
Back Matter....Pages 196-242

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The problem of global and regional climate interactions is receiving increased attention in light of anticipated global warming and its possible environmental and societal consequences. The Caspian Sea Basin is a region where such consequences may be particularly significant. This book traces the complex linkages between climatic changes in the Caspian Sea Basin and global climatic processes.
The main focus of this study is the Caspian Sea level (CSL). An unusual rise in the CSL that occurred after 1977 has significantly affected the economy of the region. The question is whether this rise is an indication of anthropogenic global warming, or if it has natural causes. This study is an attempt to identify mechanisms linking the CSL with large-scale processes in the ocean and atmosphere. Emphasis is on interannual and decadal time scales, while longer-term climatic variations are also considered. The final chapter discusses possible changes in the CSL under conditions of greenhouse gas-induced global warming.
The book will be of interest to a wide range of scientists working in the fields of hydrology, climatology, meteorology, and environmental science, as well as resource managers and policymakers concerned with climate impacts on water resources and sea level.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-vii
Introduction....Pages 1-10
Seasonal and Longer-Term Changes of Climatic Characteristics in the Caspian Sea Basin....Pages 11-57
The Caspian Sea and Climatic Processes in the Northern Hemisphere....Pages 58-111
Forecasting the Caspian Sea Level....Pages 112-153
Caspian Sea Level and Anticipated Global Warming....Pages 154-195
Back Matter....Pages 196-242
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