Results for trend and breakpoint analyses from: Losing flow in free-flowing, Mediterranean-climate streams

Stream drying is happening globally, with significant ecological and social consequences. Most examples of stream drying come from systems influenced by dam operations or those with highly exploited aquifers. Stream drying is also thought to be happening due to climate change, but examples are surprisingly limited. We explored flow trends from the five Mediterranean-climate regions with a focus on unregulated streams with long-term gauge records. We found consistent evidence of decreasing discharge trends, increasing zero-flow days, and steeper downward discharge trends in smaller basins. Beyond directional trends, many systems recently shifted flow state, including some streams that shifted from perennial to intermittent flow states. Our analyses provide evidence of stream drying consistent with climate change, but also highlight knowledge gaps and challenges in empirically and statistically documenting flow regime shifts. We discuss the myriad consequences of losing flow and propose s...