Isotope-aided assessment and forecasting of hydroclimatic extremes in Scandinavia through stakeholder co-design

Global warming increases the likelihood of hydroclimate extremes.

Regions with seasonal snow cover like Scandinavia are particularly affected by changing precipitation patterns as snowmelt controls many hydrological processes such as soil moisture and discharge, which, in turn, affect agriculture, water supply, infrastructure, tourism, and energy production.

ISOSCAN aims to improve the representation of hydrological processes and predictions by incorporating stable water isotopes as tracers in hydrological models and by addressing the lack of isotope data through citizen science initiatives.

Stable water isotopes offer insights into hydrological processes, improving hydrological models and forecasting reliability of hydroclimate extremes.

However, large knowledge gaps remain due to limited observational data, particularly regarding seasonal snowpack and the associated hydrologic responses in Scandinavia.

ISOSCAN aims to harness water isotope data from conventional and innovative sampling methods for improved hydrological forecasts in Scandinavia.

To this end, we will source data from the literature and databases as well as engage stakeholders (such as recreational users) in a co-developed citizen science framework to obtain high-resolution isotope data sets.

The improved hydrological model capability for stakeholders will allow informed decision-making and sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.