Resolution of conference “Climate and Water Balance Changes in the Caspian Region” (October 2010)
In accordance with the recommendations of the 14th CASPCOM Session, the international scientific conference "Climate and Water Balance Changes in the Caspian Region" was held in Astrakhan on 19-20 October 2010. Scientists from Azerbaijan, Iran, Italy, Kazakhstan and Russia, representatives of local authorities, business and public organizations participated in the Conference.
50 oral and poster presentations covering the current climatic conditions and water balance in the Caspian region, and the reasons and consequences of their changes were presented at the Conference. Having discussed the presented reports, the participants of the Conference have come to the following conclusions:
1. Climate and water balance fluctuations in the Caspian region have a wide range as a result of the specific geographical conditions of the region. In addition, the change of climate and water balance from one state into another is rather sharp in nature.
2. Ecosystems and economics of the Caspian region are highly vulnerable to climate and water balance changes. Environmental and socio-economic consequences of these changes are multidimensional and not well-understood yet. The damage can be of catastrophic range unless the serious preventive efforts for adaptation are undertaken.
3. Forecasts of climate and water balance changes in the Caspian region, offered by various scientists and research institutions, differ in values of forecasted parameters. In particular, it is projected that the sea level will change between -26.0 and 30.0 m of the Baltic system by 2025 (in 2009, the sea level reached 27.16 m).
4. Observation data indicate that currently climate and water balance in the Caspian region are in rather unstable state, that is quite difficult to predict.
Taking into account the current situation, participants of the Conference recommend to CASPCOM and national hydrometeorology organizations the following:
1. To take measures for updating the network of hydrometeorology observations in the Caspian region and improving data quality, to promote the development of national and regional information systems on hydrometeorology conditions in the Caspian region;
2. Special attention is to be paid to improving climatic services for the authorities, marine economy branches and population of the coastal area. One option for the solution of this problem is the establishment and extension of cooperation of regional and climatic centers in Moscow and Tehran in the field of providing climatic services in the Caspian region.
3. To extend the cooperation of the Caspian states in the field of research of climate and water balance of the Caspian Sea, to launch the publication of CASPCOM annual proceedings, devoted to this issue, and post their electronic version at CASPCOM website.
4. Taking into account strong dependence of the Caspian Sea ecosystem on climate and water balance changes, to extend cooperation between CASPCOM and CEP in providing climatic services for national and international activities in Caspian marine environment protection.
ABSTRACTS:
http://www.caspcom.com/index.php?razd=conf&lang=2