Changes in seasonal and annual precipitation characteristics in the Syrian coastal region during the period 1960-2010

Changes in precipitation patterns are considered one of most important hazards facing terrestrial ecosystems and water resources worldwide. Monthly rainfall data for six meteorological stations located in the Syrian coastal region were used to study changes in precipitation characteristics during the period 1960-2010. Trends with mann- Kendall Test, Gamma Distribution and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) were applied to detect changes in seasonal and annual precipitation amount in addition to seasonality. Results showed significant negative trends in annual precipitation in all stations up to 30% in some cases, which could be related to the decrease in spring and winter rainfall amounts that ranged between 38.5% to 50.2% in spring and 14% to 38% in winter. Despite significant decrease in annual precipitation, there were no significant trends in seasonality. These changes in precipitation patterns would pose big challenges to water resources management , agricultural production and forests management.