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GCOS Essential Climate Variables (ECV) Terrestial/ECV T4 - Lake Levels Surface water storage occurs in lakes, reservoirs (and also wetland areas) for water in its liquid phase. The volume of water in a surface storage unit at any one time is an integrator variable, reflecting both atmospheric (precipitation, evaporation-energy) and hydrologic (surface water recharge, discharge and ground water tables) conditions. Depending on the storage capacity of a reservoir, it may primarily reflect human control. However, if lakes and wetland areas are not being affected by excessive withdrawal, they are strongly driven by extant climate conditions and are important for assessing net climate effects over time. If climate change is leading to a hotter and drier mode, then lakes and wetlands should reflect this promptly. (from the FAO/GTOS web site)
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