ICCI. Impacto del Cambio Climático en las inundaciones

Abstract

This project examines how climate change and natural climate variability are reshaping flood regimes, combining scientific analysis, historical evidence, and post-event field investigations to improve flood risk knowledge and support climate adaptation strategies.

The work is organized around three complementary lines of research. First, the project provides scientific advisory support and methodological advances in the assessment of climate change impacts on floods. This includes the development of improved analytical approaches and active contributions to national and international scientific and policy forums, ensuring that the latest knowledge informs decision-making processes.

Second, the project focuses on the study of extreme floods, integrating evidence from both palaeofloods and historical flood events in key river basins. Special attention is given to areas affected by recent extreme events, such as those impacted by the 2024 DANA, using past flood behaviour to better understand future risks and guide climate adaptation strategies.

The third line of work involves post-event field surveys of extreme floods. These surveys include the reconstruction of peak discharges, detailed documentation of maximum flood water levels, and the assessment of morphodynamic changes within river reaches, such as erosion processes and sediment aggradation. Together, these analyses provide critical insights into flood dynamics and landscape response during extreme events.

By integrating long-term records, historical evidence, and direct field observations, the project delivers a comprehensive framework for understanding flood behaviour in a changing climate, strengthening preparedness, risk management, and adaptation planning.