CIRCE will identify and describe recent observed modifications in the climate variables and detected trends and then will compare them with a series of possible explanations. In this way, a comprehensive set of data, describing the physical impacts of climate change, will be developed, and then used to assess the consequences of climate change for human society and ecosystems.
The project will analyse a number of climate parameters including: temperature, precipitation, atmospheric humidity, wind, waves, sea-level rise, surface radiative fluxes, balance between evaporation-precipitation, saline output to the Atlantic, water vapour export, frequency and distribution of extreme events, nutrient load into the sea, and sensitivity to water stress.
CIRCE will develop specific modelling scenarios for the Mediterranean, in terms of resolution, process and feedback inclusions, understanding and specific diagnostic studies for the Mediterranean area, on the basis of the extensive modelling experience already available.