How can climate change affect river systems?

Climate change can significantly impact river systems in various ways, and the selected response captures this complexity accurately. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, patterns of precipitation and evaporation are altered, which can either increase the volume of water flowing into rivers or decrease it dramatically.

For example, changing rainfall patterns can lead to more intense storms, which may cause rivers to swell and result in flooding. Conversely, in some regions, climate change can lead to prolonged periods of drought as rainfall becomes less frequent, thereby reducing the flow of water in rivers. This variability can disrupt ecosystems, affect water supplies for agriculture, and impact human settlements that rely on consistent river flows for drinking water and irrigation.

The other options do not accurately reflect the multifaceted effects of climate change on river systems. Suggesting that climate change has no impact overlooks the well-documented changes observed globally. Indicating that it only improves water quality fails to recognize the potential for increased pollution runoff from flooding or the concentration of pollutants during droughts. Finally, asserting that climate change stabilizes water temperatures ignores the overall trend of increased temperatures and their implications for aquatic environments and species. Thus, the correct answer effectively summarizes the critical and often detrimental impacts of climate change on river systems.